The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1858-04-16


it, and never will return for it,"
"Ah, ab, Abraham Broochard, thou has
made good evenings work OF it," he sait
exultingly to himself.
Then looking around among his shoE
boys to see il he was observed, he carefully
yet with cheerful air locked the clasp II
his private drawer, and taking out the key
placed it in his pocket. He had hardly
done so, wen Col. McHenry re-entered, ant
without speaking, or even looking at him
cast his eyes upon the showcase for The
clasp, which he recollected, after going out
the young girl had laid down, but did no,
take up again. and SO he returned back fol
it. Abraham Broochard was very busily
engaged in replacing the watches to theiI
doeskln coverings, and preserved silence
and ignorance. At length Col. McHenry
spoke:
"That young person laid her clasp on
this case, sir, which neglected to take up
1t is pity it should be lost, she valued II
so highly"
"The clasp. O,O,I have not seen it.
sir. She took it up ,gain."
"Did you see herr"
eyes; q, yes. had my eyes upon her.
and said at the same time you'd never see
your ten dollars or the clasp again"
The gentleman eyed him steadily an
instant, aud then glancing around the show.
case again, as il in search Of it, he quilted
the shop.
CHAPTER II.
Several days elapsed, and Col. MclIenry
had quite forgotten the. circumstance we
have Just narrated, when, as he was leisure
ly passing along the street, he felt his
sleeve suddenly pulled by some one he
heard running behind him, and looking
around he beheld, with cheek glowing
with the pursuit, the girl he had seen at the
goldsmith's
10 sir, um so happy to have found you,
she said, at once addressing him as he
stopped, and with pleasure listened to her.
"l was at length enabled to get my pay, and
by other work have earned enough to repay
you the ten dollars you SO kindly gave.
You don't know The good you did-the
suffering you relieved-the evil you timely
advored. Here is the money, sir"
"Nay, my good girl, do not want it. !
made you present Of il at the time, and
did not expect you to return II. am, how
ever, glad to find you have the disposition
to do SO, and that was not deceived in my
estimation Of you."
"You must take it," she said, with in
genuous earnestness. III should be distress
ed to be longer under pecuniary obligation
to an entire stranger. Beside, sir, would
be very glad TO have my clasp, If you
please"
"Did you not take il from the case where
you laid it DOWN." he asked with much
surprise and Justly directed suspicion.
"N0, slr-indeed, sir, hope it is not
lost. 1t is Of countless value to me. 1t
was given me by--by-"
"By sweetheart" added he, smiling.
ale is now dead, sir" she added, with
overfiowing eyes.
"You do well to value il. did not take
it up. Are you sure you left 1t ihcre!"
ayes, sir, hoping you would take 1t and
keep it till paid you the money"
"Well, my child, have not got il, but
believe the goldsmith has. Let us 60 TO
him."
On their arrival at the shop, Mr.. Brooch
ard denied ever having seen II since she
went out. and sad he saw her take it with
her and place II IN her bosom as she left the
shop. The young lady turned pale and was
inconceivably distressed.
"Come with me. will find the clasp
for you," said Col. Mcllenry, offering her
his arm, and leaving the goldsmith's with
her.
"l do hope shall find il, sir" she said,
as they walked along. ut was Roberts
last gift. ii was given him in Cuba by a
rich lady whose lie he saved by rescuing
her from the water. He was a sailor, sir,
and had little to leave Inc but his memory
and my poor clasp. U, sir, ifit is lost, !
shall never forgive myself for Offering to
pledge it. But, sir, our extremity was very
great
Col. McHenry stopped with her at u
Justices office, and briefly and clearly made
his complaint, and in very few minutes
Mr.. Broochard was brought into the presence
OF the magistrate. He appeared to be IN
great trepida,ion, and was pale as ashes
for he had been suddenly taken without
warning from behind his counter, leaving
his shop in charge Of his assistants. Col.
Mcllenry and the young lady being sworn,
deposed that they had last seen the clasp on
the show case, where each went out and
left it. The former further deposed that he
had not gone three steps from the door
before he returned aud found il missing,
and no one in the vicinity but the defendant
The goldsmith was then called upon to
be sworn as to his knowledge OF the facts.
He approached tho stand where the magis-
trute held the Bible, and laid his hands on
II with a perceptible tremor Of his whole
body; but love OF money was stronger than
the fear OF the law, and he took the oath.
II appeared as il he would sink through the
floor when he took it; but the moment he
was done, he recovered his audacity.
AT this moment, al officer, who, at the
suggestion Of Col. Mcllenry, had been pri-
vately despatched by the justice, with a
search-~arrant to the shop OF the goldsmith,
now entered and placed something in the
magistrates hand, after briefly whispering
TO hun.
add you ever see this gold ornament be.
foreg" added the magistrate, holding up the
gold clasp before the young lady's eyes.
~, II Is my clasp!" she cried, springing
forward.
"Yes-it is the same" answered the
colonel.
"And did you ever sec il beiore!" de.
manded the justice s,ernly, holding !, in the
direction OF the goldsmith, who had seen II
ut the first, and was appalled, with fear and
eonstcrnation. Instead Of replying he ut,