Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-05-02

Charles stepped forward. If yon please
ma am he began, aud then hestated.
We'll, my boy said the lady kindly, 'what
do YOU wish to say 2
Il think, ma am, could carve shamrocks.-
have nice piece of bog-las at home, and I'd
be proud to try and do my hest
did you ever learn to carve oak p enqurcd
the lady.
No, ma'am,' replied Charles; and handing
the gold coin TO the leweer, he continued, i, |
wanted sir, to ask you ii you know who owns
this, as your name is on the paper? | found it
just now in the street.
Mr.. Martin examined the coin and exclaim-
ed, Miss Elwyn, this is the very antique piece
sold your uncle yesterday Did he lose it 2?
'Ah yes. heard him say last night that he
missed curious coin that he had just purchas.
ed, and feared he must have dropped it,
My honest little fellow said the jewelcr to
Charles, Il am sure Mr.. Elwyn will be much
obliged 10 you, and will give you some reward
for your trouble
4 have had no trouble, sir said Charles, a
little proudly, 'and don't want to be rewarded
for doing what is only right
But said the soft voice Of Miss Elwyn, q
want to know more about the oak carving. |
dare say Mr.. Martin will let me sit in his par
little Mary
The lady's gentle manner and sweet coune-
nance soon won the confidence of Charles -; and
he gave her an artless account of his history,
ending by saying, Il think carving wood would
soon come easy to me, only my knife is so very
blunt. VIII you please, rna'am to let me look
at the shamrocks You showed Mr.. Martini,
lie examined them INFINITELY, and then look
n I'M hea Mi nj 10 | tbinl. ms.
Pin sure could carve leaves like these, if had
tie pattern for a few days.;
'Then,' said Miss Elwvn. 'you shall take the
bracelet home with you. know You are an
honest boy, whom may trust. Mr.. Martin
she continued, 'wil ycu show me some OF the
best and strongest penknves you have got, and
allow this boy TO select one :
'Uh, thank you, ma'am, thank you,' replied
Charles. i will take great care of The knife
and the bracelet, aud bring them both back 20
you AS soon AS have the sIIamrockS finished
The knife mean to make You present of:
but on what day do you think you could meet
me here with the bracelet p
Charles considered, saving half TO himself in
an under tone, tO-nOrroW there will he the
masters horse to take to the forge, and the
bawn-tields to be ploughcd the rest OF the week;
and then after that the turf 10 be drawn-alto-
gether won't have much time. I'm afraid
This day, fortnight, ma'am, please God, III try
to be here, and bring YOU the best Shanrocks |
can make. know You Will no, be angry be-
cause they're not nice enough indeed, | will do
my very best.
Miss Elwyn ard Mr.. Martin were both anus
ed at the boys earnest, and artless manner, and
bade him friendly goodbye.
Charles kept his promise, and did indeed do
his very best to fashion his rude piece Of oak
into the very delicate form OF Ern'a emblamatc
leaf. Early in the morning, late at night, and
at every spare moment during the day he prac-
tised hls task perseveringly. Sometimes his
patience was sorely tried. lie iound the fine
even veining OF The leaves most difficult to i'm
itate, ana giving the small slender curling stem
its proper form, cost HIM the spelling Of several
halt finished >Iamrocks
But what will not patient perseverance ac-
compli7h? Encouraged by the wish to perform
his promise, and by the real pleasure which he
took in the work, Charles on the evening bef re
the expiration Of the fortnight, di splaved to the
admirng eyes Of Ellen and little Mary two
beautiful shamrock~, II form and size closely
initiating the natural leaf.
Having obtained permission from his master,
he set out The next morning after very scanty
breakfast 10 walk to town, carving the brace let
aud his own precious shamrocks III his waist
coat pocket.
lie entered Mr.. Martins shop. Miss Eiwyn
had not yet arrived but Charles, longing to
display his workmanship to the good natured
jeweler put his hand into his pocket. Out
came the bracelet, then the penknle, but no
shamrocks. In terror he searched again no
sign Of them, but what alas explained their
disappearance-a small hole in the worn lining
which Ellen had forgotten to mend.
The boy burst into ears-be could not help
it, after all my trouble = he exclaimed; 'aud
indeed, they were very nice I'm thankful, any.
way continued he, after a pause. during
which the sympathizing jewelcr tried TO COM
fort him, that it was not he lady's bracelet
that | lost. viii you ask her, sir, to trust Inc
for one week longer? Please God I'll make
better ones
Mr.. Martin promised TO do as he wished;
returned to his poor lonc. | shall not dwell
upon the various expressions of dsappoint-
mant with which his hungry relatives greeted
him, nor describe how poor Ellen reproached
herself for not having mended that nasty hole.
Suffice it to say that Charles sat resoluteIy to
work, and by the end of the week, had carved
two sllamrocks superior in finish to the former
ones.
sorrow awaited him. Miss Ewyn came, and
was greatly delighted with the little ornaments,
they were, indeed exact lac-simlles of her own.
Her uncle, benevolent looking old gentle
man, was with her. lie watched the sparkling
eyes, and pale, intelligent countenance Of
Charles, while his nece expressed her approba-
tion of the carving.
We'll, my boy he said, we are indebted
to you for two iavors-the restoration of my
gold coin, and the mendIng of my niece's Brace
let. Here is a pound note for your shamrocks
won't offer you money for your honesty-that
is a commodity which cannot and ought not to
be purchased; but | will give You my conf
dence and my appreciation which, may be
worth something.
For a moment Charles could not speak
'Oh, sir, he said, It's too mtch, couldn't take
such sum for two little leaves
Ills objections, however, were soon over
ruled and then, with thankful heart, he
pictured to himself the JOY ard plenty which he
would carry home that nigh.
Now, said Mr.. Elwyn, it is evident my
lad, that you have a decided talent for carving
wood, and, what is better disposition to per-
severe. Would you liketo learn to be an ar
chitecr, and have to do with erecting stone