Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1845-04-18
THE GOLDEN CLASP:
OR, THE PERJURED GOLDSMITH
PART I.
ny PROFESSOR J. H.. iNGRAHAM.

girl plainly attired, entered one of the gold
smiths stores on - street, and seeing that
a gentleman was engaged with the p~roprie-
tor, she tinlidly slrunk aside near the door
until he should be at leisure. The assistants
were also occupied with customers whose
dress and appearance show them to belong
to the class Of the rich, and so she was suf-
fered to remain for some time standing there
before she could be attended TO. The gen.
llemau. who was 81 fnc, noble loukin per-
son, witt, a remarkably polished address,
seeing her waiting, courteonsly stood aside,
and said to the goldsmith
Do not occupy yourself with me now,
Mr.. Broochhrd. can examine these watch
es by myself while you see VIVA, this young
person wants who has been waiting so long
and patiently. TO get an opportunity of ad-
dressing you
what do you wish, Miss?' asked the
goldsmith, with a look which conveyed IA
reproof to her for interrupting him while en-
gagged with a customer Of more value to him.
The girl iesitalinely approaccd the coun-
ter, and taking from her bosom a small gold
clasp, bent over to him, und said in a low,
trembling voice
wish, sir, you would be so kind as to
keep this "A few days and let me have seven
dollars on it,
Low as she spoke, her soft trembling tones
reached the cars of Col. Mcllenry, the gen.
tleman who was present, and he turned to
observe her face, and hear the reply of the
goldsmith to this limid and painfully uttered
request. The goldsmith took the clasp
scornfullv between his fingers, and then
throwing it down, said sharply, to her
This is no pawn brokers' shop, girl and
if it was, that thing is not worth Two dollars.
'lt is of incslimablr value to nc, sir-in-
deed it is the only thing valuable that |
have answered she, earnestly, and her
cheek slightly flushed at the rude manner OF
his reply.
Il don't know what yon may value it at,
he answered, with "A cold laugh, CHANGING at
Col. Mctlcnry, whom he saw severely OBJ
serving him Il would not like TO give you
six shilllnes for it,
Bot, SIR plead the girl, unconscious OF
being overheard, | must have seven dollar,
20 day, and | have no other way Of getting
it, and | was in hopes, sir. that you might
let me have that sum on it; for | will cer-
tainly come back and take it up again.
Il tell YOU answered Mr.. Broochard an
s,!s, . keep &c pa~n troke.'s shop. r.
to the Jews y
They won, give me bu, two dollars, sir
and | wan, seven
'And SO you think to GO, it ont Of mt
The young girl was ahou, to speak again
but, as if not knowing what further argumen
to urge, hesilated, and WAS turning slowl,
away, when she checked herself and agaiI
spoke to him
Sir she said, in a low, thrilling .oice @
earnest entrcaty, my mother Is lying very
III, and our rent is due at twelve o'clock To-
day, and The persons we sew for having dis
appointed us in onr pay, | have no other re-
sources bat this On, sir will you take thI
clasp, only for a few days, and | will theI
repay yong
Mr.. BroocInrI felt that Col. McHenry'
eyes were upon him, waiting an answer, AM
as he wished him to think him a man of bus
mess, (Which meant in his notion IA MAJ
without a heart.) he answered promptly an
%sternly, No. d. you think we are simple
tons here to throw away money in this way
If You have nothing more to say, please t
sand aside for customers. Well, Col, whh
do YOU think of those watches? --latest i'm
porlaiion-full iewel'd and warranted in IA
points. | will sell you the one you just LAT
: down, for one hundred and ninety-fve dol
lars
The gentleman, however, was not heedin
: him, but watching the young girl whom Il
saw leave the counter, and with a heavy
dropping step approach the door. Her fac
| had struck Inn for its sweet intelligent love
illness, and her modesly had for him an irrC
t sisiible charm; but her plea of poverty, an
e her eloquent appeal to the t~radesman, d"eT
d ly Interested his feelings and enlisted h
J. sympathies in her behalf. He had silent
d observed the progress of her interview wit
him, with emotions Of contempt for the on
and pity for the other.
q Her hand was on the mob of the doc
when, advancing towards her
'You asked, | believe, for seven dollars
he said, with a gentle interest in his Tor
that at once awakened hope in her heart, al
W brough, the light to her eyes and the hue
T" her cheeks, as she dinidenlly answered.
yes sir. would not have been SO DO
and urgent Out
None to much So. There is a ten do
lar nore-l have no smaller bills And
placed i, in her hand.
Sir. YOU are too kind-
Not a word. am happy to do you
service
take the clasp. sir though | am asian
ed to offer it to you, since the grnllrma
l. saws il is so valueless. But to me it is va
liable as life, and | ~foolishly thought it mu
l. be so to Others
n Il do not want it, child, answered c.
= McHenry, f~eolingly putting the hand asic
which urged il upon hun.
" Indeed sir you must take ii, for ] sha
ID feel in some degree less under obligation TO
in stranger Besides, | wish to call and n
l. deem il. vii! you give me your address
sir Z and as she spoke, he still! declining, Il
Jewell, she laid il on the showcase.
is Oh, no maiier-but if you insist-tl
Or United States Hotel
'Thank you, sir you can never know Il
blessings to others that will follow your kin
ness to me to-day Thus speaking al
"a looking upon him with an expression Of graf
- tuds in her fearful eyes, she left the sho
forgetting the golden clasp, which She HI
sv left upon the showcase. Will you look
IS. one Of these watcher now, Col. McHenry