"What do you think I have brought you, Ellen?" said her father,
smiling.
"Do tell me quick," said the child, eagerly.
"What if I should tell you it was a silver dollar?"
"Oh, father, thank you," and Ellen ran to show it to her mother.
"You got it at the shop?" asked his wife.
"Yes," said the baker; "I received it from a little girl about the
size of Ellen, and I suppose it was that gave me the idea of
bringing it home to her."
"Was she a pretty little girl?" asked Ellen, interested.
"Yes, she was very attractive. I could not help feeling interested
in her. I hope she will come again."
This was all that passed concerning Ida at that time. The thought of
her would have passed from the baker's mind, if it had not been
recalled by circumstances.
Ellen, like most girls of her age, when in possession of money,
could not be easy until she had spent it. Her mother advised her to
lay it away, or perhaps deposit it in some Savings Bank; but Ellen
preferred present gratification.
Accordingly one afternoon, when walking out with her mother, she
persuaded her to go into a toy shop, and price a doll which she saw
in the window. The price was sixty-two cents. Ellen concluded to
take it, and tendered the silver dollar in payment.
The shopman took it into his hand, glancing at it carelessly at
first, then scrutinizing it with considerable attention.
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