Judge — December 3, 1910 — page 29: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

JUDGE A DIPLOMATIC CHRISTMAS PRESENT By ELLIS 0, JONES “ OW if I only knew what to send Cousin Clara, I'd be N all through with my shopping.” declared Mrs. Grimshaw. “I know what I'd like to send her. What she needs most of all is a good-sized chee “Then why not make out one and send i idea,” responded her husband “Why, John, you know it would n’t do at all, It would hurt her feelings so she'd never get over it. She's such a proud girl.” “ Ridiculous,” expostulated Mr. Grimshaw. “How could it hurt her feelings? We know she’s struggling along to educate herself and she knows we know it. That’s no disgrace. She also knows that we have more money than we know what to do with. Just write out a check for five hundred dollars and be done with it.” “I wish I dared,” retumed Mrs. Grimshaw, “But you don’t know Clara as well as I do. It would be just like her to send the check right back. I wouldn't offend her for the world. She's really a fine girl, but she has just that little streak of false pride.” “How would it be to send her something handsome, say a seal- skin sack or something like that?” suggested Grimshaw. “Tt would n't do at all, A girl in her position must dress har- moniously. When she wears one thing that's expensive, she must get other things to match or she looks dowdy. “It's a foolish way to look at it, but maybe you're right,” an- swered her husband. “It’s a hard problem, but leave it to me. I'll try to figure out something.” On his way to the office, Grimshaw taxed his wits with the ques- and when he retumed home he Whereupon he nd opened That's a good along? tion of Cousin Clara's present, hunted up his wife and told her he had solved it. ceremoniously fished from his pocket a large jewel case it, revealing a beautiful diamond brooch XMAS ON THE DEEP. “Mr. Captain, won't_you please make your chinley stop smoking, so Santa Claus can come down it to-night.” SPS NTT ony A BORN LEADER'S ADVICE. R. A. leader like me. w held up her hands in unmixed delight.“ Per- “Oh, you dear thing! It’s the But Christmas isn't here yet. Mrs. Grimsh: fectly stunning!" she ex most beautiful cluster I ever saw, Why didn’t you wait?” “My dear child,” returned her husband fondly, “this brooch is not for you. If you want one like it, ) ive it, but this one is for Cousin Clar: “John! How silly! out this moming. It’s absurd. would a girl in her position do with a thing of that sort? aimed, i It would n't do at all, We talked th What, in the name of goodn t's just the thing,” said he. * Nonsense."” “Never mind. I have an idea, I've thought it all out very carefully and I’m sure it's the only thing to do.” & Three days after Christmas, the Grimshaws were still sitting at the breakfast table when the moming mail arrived. Mrs. Grimshaw shufiled the envelopes hurriedly. ‘Most all thank-you letters,” she explained. “Oh, here's one from Cousin Clara,” she declared picking out one of the envelopes and tossing it to her husband, "You open it. I'm afraid. Grimshaw opened the envelope nonchalantly and read: Dear Covstx Mary axp Uxcte Jon: The diamond brooch is perfectly lovely. I am tickled almost to death. You could n't possibly have pleased me more and I am very grateful. [am getting along fine with my work. Phila- phia is a good place for study. It's so quiet. I hope to run over and see you all very soon. Thank you again Your loving cousin, Chara, What did I tell you?" demanded Grimshaw. mean anything.” protested Mrs, Grimshaw. “I's just an ordinary thank-you letter like all the rest.” “Of course it means something. Every word of it is sincere.” Then she's more foolish than I thought,” continued Mrs. Grim- shaw. “He other letter with a Philadelphia post-n I don't know I wonder who it could be.” She opened and read “There! “That doesn't Mrs. John Grimshaw, N. Y. Dear Mapa: Although you don’t know me, I deem it my duty to call your at- tention toa most unheard of piece of ingratitude. { happen to know hat on Christmas you sent your cousin, Miss Clara Par dsome diamond brooch. I also happen to know that, on the fter Christmas, she took the brooch and pawned it for the sum of five hundred dollars. I have known Clara for a long time and we have been good friends, but I never thought she would do such a dreadful thing as that. I do not care to be known in the matter and therefore I will not sign my name. Yours truly, Fain Puay. Mrs. Grimshaw frowned,“ What did I tell you?" she demanded, “Of course she didn't want that brooch, but still I don’t think she should have pawned it and especially for such a small sum, It must be worth twice that.” Congratulate your diplomatic husband, my dear," retumed Grimshaw blandly. “My plan worked out to a nicety. I knew there was a way to get money to a poor, but proud girl without hurting her feelings.” “It's mighty expensive diplomac “Not atall. AllT have to do now hold of that pawn ticket, redeem the is closed to find some way of getting brooch and the transaction comicbooks.com