The Peddler's Clock — Mabel Leigh Hunt

Miles, Ezra, and Timothy Bellamy don't need a clock to tell them when it's time to bring the cows home, they can tell just by the position of the sun in the sky. Mother Bellamy though, longs for a pretty clock, in a glass case with pictures painted on it. Father says there is no money for what he calls an expensive luxury. But one day, when Father is away, temptation strikes in the guise of a friendly traveling peddler. Mother cannot resist and trades something dear to Timothy's heart for the clock. What will happen when father gets home? And how will Timothy cope with his loss? A beautifully illustrated, charming, story of early pioneer family life.