American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1855-11-17

said in low and trembling voice,
'Iwish, sir, you would be SO kind as
to keep this few days and let me have
seven dollars on it,
Low as she spoke, her soft trembling
tones reached the ears of Col. McHenry
the gentleman who was present, andhe
turned to observe her face, and hear
the reply of the goldsmith to this timid
and painfully uttered request. The
goldsmith took the clasp scornfully be-
tween his fingers and throwing it down,
said sharply to her
'This is no pawnbrokcr's shop, girl,
and if it were, that thing is not worth
two dollars
1t is of inestimablc value to me, sir;
indeed it is the only thing valuable 1
have;' answered she earnestly, and
her check slightly flushed at the rude
manner of his reply.
Il don't know what you may value
it at, he answered with o cold laugh,
glancing at Col. McHenry, whom he
saw severely observing him. 4 would
not like to give you six shillings for it..
But, sir, plead the girl, unconscious
of being overheard, { [ must have sew
en- dollars to-day, and l have no other
way of getting it, and / was in hopes
sir, that you might let me have that
sum on it; for l will certainly como
back and take it up again >
Il tell you, he answered angrily, Il
keep no pawnbroker's shop. Go to the
Jews
'rhcy won't give me but two dollars
and L want seven.'
And so you think you will gcti it out
Of me ?
The young girl was about to speak
again, but as if not knowing what fur
thcr arguments to urge, hesitatcd, and
was turning slowly away, when she
Echecked herself and again spoke to
him,
Sir she said, in a low, thrilling
tone of earnest entreaty, my mother
is lying very i'll, and our rent is due at
II o'clock to-day, and tho persons we
sew for, having disappointed us in our
pay, l have no other resource but this!
Oh ! sir, will you take the clasp only
for few days, and will then repay
you?
Mr.. Broochard felt that Col. Nc
Henry's eyes were upon him, waiting
an answer, and as he wished him to
think him a man of business, (Which
meant in his notion man without q
hcart) he answered promptly ard with
sternness,
No! Do you think VIC arc simple
tons here, to throw away money in this
way? If you have nothing more to
say, please stand aside for customers.
We'll, Colonel, what do you think OF
those? --latest importation full Jew
ellcd, and warranted in all points.
will sell you the one just laid down for
one hundred and nincty-fve dollars
The gentleman was not needing him,
however, but was watching the young
girl, whom he saw leave the counter
with heavy, dropping step, approach
the door. Her face had struck him
for its sweet, intelligent ldYeliness, and
her modesty had for him an irresistible
charm; but her plea of poverty deeply
interested his feelings, and enlisted his
sympathies in her behalf. He had ST.
lcntly observed TIE progress of her in
teryicw with him, with emotions of
contempt for the one and pity for the
other.
Her hand was on the knob Of the
door, when, advancing toward her, he
said:
You asked, ] believe for seven dol
lars spoken with gentle interest in
his tone that awakened hope in her
heart, and again brought the light to
her eyes and the hue to her checks, as
she diiiidcntly answered,
Yes, sir, | should not have been 50
bold and urgent, but
None too much so. There is q ten
dollar note; and 1 have no smaller
bills.
Sir, you arc too kind
Not word, am happy to do you
u service
Take the clasp sir, though ! ON a.
shamed to offer it to you, since the gen
tlcman says il is so valueloss. But to
me it is as valuable as life itself, and /
foollshly thought it must be so to 9th
ors.'
L do not want it, young friend, an
swcrcd Col. McIIcnry, fcelingly put
ting the hand aside, while she urged it
upon him.
| Indeed, sir, you shall take it, for I
shall feel in some degree less Under OBJ
legations to stranger. Besides, wish