Treasures from Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson Read Free Book Online

went to look, and I had to agree she was right. As far as I could tell, the signatures were identical.
    “It’s beautiful,” I said, “but somehow I don’t feel right about it. Warren will think he’s paying for the real thing.”
    “He’s paying for an autographed copy,” Sarah Jane said. “That’s what this is. If you have to be so fussy, show him both books and let him take his pick. If he chooses the wrong one, it wouldn’t be your fault. You’d at least have a fifty-fifty chance of keeping yours.”
    I didn’t chatter as I usually did while I helped Ma get supper, and she looked at me anxiously. “You’re awfully quiet tonight, Mabel,” she said. “Is something the matter?”
    I shook my head. “No, I guess not. Ma, would it be wrong to sign someone else’s name to something?”
    “It depends on the reason for signing it,” Ma replied. “If it was intended to deceive, then that’s wrong. Under ordinary circumstances I’d say it’s probably not a good idea. Are you planning on signing something?”
    “Oh, no,” I said. “I just wondered.”
    I didn’t sleep well that night. I dreamed that I was caught in a snowstorm and Warren wouldn’t help me because I had cheated him. I woke up to find my comforter on the floor and my heart pounding. Since I couldn’t go back to sleep, I thought about going to church the next morning and trying to worship God. I knew I couldn’t do it—not with the guilty feeling I had.
    I soon discovered that I wasn’t alone. Sarah Jane appeared right after breakfast.
    “Mabel, you’re right. We can’t deceive Warren like that. I had terrible nightmares all night about what I did. I told the Lord I was sorry, and now I’m telling you. I feel bad about your money, but I don’t think it’s worth sinning for five dollars.”
    “It’s not worth it for any amount,” I told her. “I’d already decided that I would give Warren the real one. I don’t want to remember any dirty tricks every time I look at Ma’s beautiful coat!”
    “Right!” Sarah Jane laughed. “And you said yourself that you couldn’t tell the difference. I’ll add my name down in the corner, and you’ll have a real treasure to keep!”

8
    The Farewell Party
    “Mabel O’Dell! Are you absolutely positive?” Sarah Jane stopped in the middle of the road, shocked by my news.
    “Yes.” I nodded. “Absolutely. Pa told us just this morning. Miss Gibson won’t be our teacher next year. It will be someone called Mrs. Porter. Pa’s on the school board, so he knows.”
    “But we have only two more years,” Sarah Jane wailed. “We’ve never had anyone but Miss Gibson. Couldn’t she stay just two more years?”
    “Pa says it’s all arranged. I don’t suppose we could talk her out of it, either.”
    “I think we’d better try,” Sarah Jane declared. “How do we know we’ll be able to stand this Mrs. Porter? She’s probably old and crotchety.”
    “And doesn’t like children,” I added. “It will just ruin our ninth and tenth grades. What are we going to do about it?”
    “We’ll have to think of something,” Sarah Jane said. “We may have to be such wonderful students she won’t be able to leave us.”
    “Let’s stay within reason,” I retorted. “You’re talking about eighteen human beings who haven’t had much experience in being wonderful.”
    When we arrived at school, it was obvious that the news had already spread. Some of the younger children were crying, and I had to admit that I felt like it too. This was one occasion when all the children in school were agreed. We could not let Miss Gibson leave.
    After the opening prayer, we joined halfheartedly in singing a hymn. Miss Gibson was perplexed. “What’s the matter with everyone this morning?” she inquired. “You all look as though you’d lost your last friend.”
    To her amazement, the little ones began to cry again. “Why, whatever has happened?” Miss Gibson asked. “Is there something I don’t