Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-16
VENING STAR.
THE PERJURED GOLDSMITH.
BY PROF. =. n INGRAH
CHAPTER I,

CHAPTER /.
A modest and exceedingly pretty young girl
plainly sttired, entered one of the goldsmiths'
stores on street, and seeing that gentle
man was engaged with the proprietor, she
tinidly shrunk aside near the door until he
ssoold be at leisure The assistants were also
occupied with customers whose dress and ap-
pesrance 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
DE atte nded to.
The gentleman, who was fine, noble-look-
Ing person, with a remarkably polished ad-
dress, .seeing her waiting, couIteouSiy stood
aside, and said to the goldsmith
Do not occupy yourself with me now, Mr.
Broochard; l can examine these watches by
myself, while you see what this young person
wants, who has been waiting here so long and
patiently to get an opportunity to speak to
you
"What do you wish, Miss?'' asked the
goldsmith, with look that conveyed a reproOf
TO her for interrupting him while engaged with
e customer of more value to him
The girl hestatingly approached the cour-
ter, and taking from iher bosom q small gold
clasp, bent over to him, and said, in n low,
trembling voice:
81 wish, sir, you would be so kind as to
keep this few days, and let NE have seven
dollars on it."
Low as she spoke. her soft trembling tones
reached the ears of Col. McHenry. the gentle
man %h0 was present, and he turned t. OBJ
servo her face, and hear the reply Of the gold
smith 30 this tiIuid and painfully uttered re-
quest. The goldsmith took the clasp scornrully
between his fingers, and throwing it down,
said sharply to her
"1his is no pawnbIoker's shop. girl and if
1t wss, that thing is not worth two dollars"
- 1t Is Of inestimaSle value TO me, sir in.
deed. it is the only thing valuable l have"
answered she, earnestly, and her check
slightly flushed al the rude manner of his
reply.
" L don't know what you may value * at,
he answered, with a cold laugh, glancius at
Gel McHenry, whom ho saw severely cycling
him; 81 would not like 10 give you six shil-
lings for it."
'7But, sir" plead the girl, unconscious of
being overheard, Il must have sevcn dollars
to-day, and l have no other way of getting ii
was in hOpos, sir, that you might let me
have that sum en- it'll will certainly come
back and take il up again "
Il tell yOu," answered he, angrily, al
keep no pswnbroker's shop. Go TO the Jews"
"They won't give me but two dollars, and
want seven"
"And so you think to ge; it out Of me '''
The young girl was about IN speak again
but. az if not knowing VIII at further arguments
away, when she checked herself, and again
spoke to him
"Sir," she said, in p thrilling tone of earn
est entreaty, "my mother is lying very ill.,
and our rent is due at twelve o'clock today;
and the persons we sew for having disappoint-
ed US in our pay, have no other resource
but this. On, cir, will you take this clasp,
only for few days? and L will then repay
you"
Mr Broochard felt that Col. McHenry's
eyes were upon him, awaiting an anwser;
and as he wished him to think him a man of
business, (which meant in his notion a man
without hearp he answered promptly and
sternly.
"No Do you think we are sim ple:ons here,
to throw away money in this way! If you
have nothing more to say please stand aside
for customers Well, Colonel, what do you
think of those They are the latest importa-
ton; full jeweied and warranted in all points
L will sell you the one just laid down for one
hundred and ninety five dollars.
The gentleman, however, was not heedi ng
him, but watching the young girl, whom he
saw leaving the counter with a heavy, droop-
ing step, and approach the door Her face
had struck him for its sweet intelligent lowell
ness, and her mOGeSty had for him an irresst-
ible charm but her plea of poverty deeply
interested his feelings, and enlisted his sym
pathies in her behalf He had silently Oh
served the progress of her interview with him
with emotions Of contempt for one and pity for
the other.
Her hand was on the knob of the door, when
advancing toward her he said
" You asked, l believe. for seven dollars ?"
he said, with q gentle interest in his tone
that at once awakened hope in her heart, and
again brought the light to her eyes and the
hue to her checks, as she diffidently answered
eyes sir; l should not have been so mr.
gent
None too much SO There is a ten dollar
note-and L have no smaller bills"
6 Sir, you are too kind'-
Not word; l am happy to do you a ser
vice"
Take the clasp, sir, though am ashamed
10 offer IT to you, since the gentleman says il
is so valueless. But to me Ii is as valuable as
life, and L foolishly thought it must be so to
others"
81 do not want it, child, answered Col.
McHenry feeliDgly, putting the hand aside
while she urged it upon him.
Indeed, sir, you must take il, for | shall
feel in some degree under obligations to
stranger. Besides, | wish TO call and redeem
it. Will you give me- your address, sir ?n and
ms she spoke, he still declining the Jewel, she
laid it on the show toK
"Oh, no matter-bat if you insist, it is tho
United Hotel -
Thank you, sir, you can never know the
blessings TO others that will follow your kind
moss to mo to-day" Thus spes king and look.
ing upon him with an expression uf gratitude
in her fearful eyes, she left the shop, forget
ting the golden clasp, which she left upon tue
show case.
"Will you look at one of these watches
now, Col. McHenry?" superciliously asked
the goldsmith, without lifting his condemned
eyes
"No, sir ~ answered the gentleman stern
ly. And taking his gloves and cane walked
from the shop Of the avaricious goldsmith,
who, too close to risk triHe to relieve the
wants Of poor family, probably lost a large
amount by the purchases his wealthy customer
might Lave made, as we'll as his own self re-
spect, such as it was for avarice always sinks
into its she'll before the broad sun of benevo-
ience
"Now there goes a man who throws away
his money upon his vagrants, while keep
mine to support my family said the gold
smith, looking after him, " he thinks me q
miser, and l think him fool. o here is
that clasp after all She left it ior him, on