Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-10-23
nltsrEllnneous.
The Golden Clasp.

modest looking and exceedingly pretty
young girl, plainly atlired, entered one of the
goldsmths stores on -- street, and seeing
that gentleman was engaged with the propri
etor, she timldly shrank aside near the door un-
til he should be at leisure. The assistants were
also occupied with customers, whose appearance
showed them to belong to the class of the rich,
and so she was suffered to remain for some time
standing there before she could be attended to
The gentleman, who was a fine, noble looking
person, with a remarkably polished address, see-
ing her waiting, courteously stood aside, and
said to the goldsmith
Do not occupy yourself with me, Mr.. Brooch
ard. | can examine these watches by myself,
while you see what this young person wants,
who has been waiting so long and patiently to
get an opportunity of addressing YOU
And thus speaking, the gentleman stood
aside from the show case, on which he had been
leaning, to give the young girl an opportunity OF
advancing.
'What do you wish, Miss asked the gold
smith, with look which conveyed severe re-
proof to her for having interrupted him while
engaged with customer of much more value
to him.
The girl hesitatingly approached the counter,
and taking from her bosom a small gold clasp,
bent over to him, and said, in a low, trembling
voice
Il wish, sir, you would be so kind as to keep
this for few days, and let me have seven dol
lars on it,
Low as she spoke, her soft, tremulous tones
reached the ears of Col. McHenry, the gentle
man who was present. and he turned to observe
her face, and hear the reply of the goldsmith to
this tmd and painfully uttered request. The
goldsmith took the clasp scornfully between his
fingers, and then throwing it down, said sharply
to her
'Thls is no pawnbroker's shop, girl and il
it was, that thing is not worth more than two
dollars
1t is of nestimable value to me, sir-ndeed
it is thg only thing valuable have,' answered
she, earnestly, and her cheek slightly flushed al
the rude manner of his reply.
l don't know at what you may value it, he
answered with cold laugh, glancing at Col
Nc Henry whom he thought he saw severely
observing him, would not like to give you s
shiings for it,
But, SIR plead the girl unconcious of bein
overheard, | must have seven dollars to-day
and have no other way Of getting it, and wa
in hopes, sir, that you might let me have th'
sum on it; Tor will certainly come back an
take 1t up again.
/ tell you, GIRL answered Mr., Brochard ar
grlly, Il keep no pawnbroker's shop. Go to tn
Jews
They won't give me but two dollars, sir, an
want seven.'
Indeed, and SO you think to get it out {
meY
The young girl was about to speak again, bI
as if not knowing what further argument to urg
hesitated, and was turning slowly away, whe
she checked herself, and again spoke to the golt
smith
Sl',' she said, in low, thrilling voice
earnest enlreaty, my mother is lying very i
and our rent is due at twelve O'Clock to day al
the persons we sew for, having disappointed
in our pay, have no resource but this {
sir, will you take the clasp, only for few day
and then will repay you?
Mr.. Brochard felt that Col. McIIenry's Q,
were upon him, waiting an answer, and as
wished him to think him a man of busin
(which meant in his notion, man withou
heast,) he answered promptly and sternly, N
Do you think we are SimpIetons here to thr
away money in this manner? If you have nc
ing more to say, please to stand aside for OF
customers.
Well, Colonel what do you think Of tn
watches? Latest importation jeweled,
warranted in oil points will sell you the
you just laid down, for one hundred and n
tyfve dollars