Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-07-24
A STORY OF A NECKLACE.

"That necklace, those bracelets and that
cross, which you wear, Miss Juliet Maitland
are not really carved coral, observe" said
Miss Caroline Perkins, one Of those very disa
grccablc girls who are weak enough to pride
themselves on wearing expensive hnery, and
are sometimes guilty Of the rudeness of max
ing unpleasant remarks on the dress OF others
You arc very close observer, Miss Per.
kins," said Juliet, smiling; my ornaments
are not coral, it is true but are SO good an
imitation that any bne must examine them
pretty accurately before the difference can be
detected"
~ assure you saw what they were at q
glance and dare say that these young ladies
did the same" rejoined Miss Perkins, looking
round at the juvenile party assembled to COM
mcmorate her birthday-Miss Caroline Per-
kins having that day entered her fifteenth
year.
"And what IL they did make that import.
ant discovery " said Juliet, smiling again.
"Oh! you may think It of no consequence,
Miss Maitland but | should not like it to be
said that wore such limitations My neck
lace cost twenty-five dollars" rejoined Miss
Perkins, twisting her finger oStcntatiously
among her rich coral beads.
"lt is very elegant, | Admit, said Juliet /;
but that is large sum TO exprnd on an or,
namcnt."
"Oh, Miss juliet! if chcapncss were your
object, can tell you where you can bmy real
glass necklace for n shilling" said Miss Per-
kins, with an unkind sncer Some Of the young
ladies laughed.
Ihave better apology to offer for wear
ing my mock coral necklace" said Juliet,
quietly; II and nm persuaded that, when |
have related the circumstances which induced
me to buy, not only you, Caroline, but every
young lady in the room, will be disposed to
make similar purchase. About week ago, 3"
she continued, ~ went into Bazaar n ith
my gOverncss, for the purpose Of laying out a
sum Of money which my grandfather had
Just given me to buy some ornaments to wear
in remembrance of him. While was looking
ut one glittcring toy and another at q stand in
one of the galleries, my attention was accidcn.
tally attracted by this set of beads which has
been the subject Of our conversation. They
were at that time in the hands of pale, mel
ancholy looking girl, about two years older
than myself, who had the appearance of a for
cigner, and was dressed in deep mourning
She was speaking with great carnestness to
tho person who kept the stand, but drew back
to make way for some ladies', with an air Of
evident detection, and stood modcstly waiting
for their departure, and htr eyes still fixed
with an mir Of anxious expectation, on the
proprictreSs Of the stand. Beside her was
sweet little boy, Of four years old, whose in
lant features wore the same expression Of fcarc
and sadness that so deeply characterized her
own. | observed that he cast a longing eve
at the cakes and SWcctncats on ncighbOring
stall he touched his sisters arm, and point
ed to them, but did not speak. She shook
her head silently, and her lip tremblcd. The
child hid his face IN her dress to conceal the
tears that arose in his large dark eyes. My
govcrness, suppose, guessed the cause of his
distress, for she Immediately brought some
buns, which she offered to him. His eyes
frightened, and he extended an eagar hand 70
receive them, but paused, and looked anxious
y in his sisters face.
"You may accept them, Carlos, 4" said she,
speaking in Spanish, which my governess,
Miss Luml,y, understands, you know"
"A deep blush Overspread her features as
she turned to us, and expressed her gratitude
in imperfect English for Miss Lumley's good
ness to her little brother.
Alas said she, bursting into tears, Ibis
looks were impOrtunate, fear, but this is tho
first food he has tasted to-day"
Carlos, meantime, was showing her the
buns, and entrcating her to eat also.
"CarlOs," said she, "I am not hungry {;
thank the lady for her kindness, and let US
leave. "
"The boy touched his cap, and raising his
sweet eyes to Miss Lumley's face, said in his
pretty, infantine Spanish:
"AdiOs, Sonora Inglesc."
lie bids you farewell, Sonora but Carlos,
you should thank the lady also" "
Carlos did so in his most winning manner,
then looked wistlully at us, and pointed to the
beads in her sisters hand.
THAT is pretty set Of carved coral, said
|, for such l really took them to be. "
THAT you would never have done, had you
examined them Closely" observed Mrs. Per-
kinS.
Possibly not" returned Juliet, "but my
atte ,tiOn was wholly cngrOsscd by the Sor.
rOwiul young eXiles
"'Will you buy, Senora.' said she, holding
up the beads, glow If hope and expectation
flushing her pAllid checks ~ took them into
NY hand. They are not what you take them
I'm, she iurSuch; they ar scented amulet,
such GS the, liakc il converts, in imitation Of
carved coral, which is vrr> dear. These nc
chcap--tcn shhingS Sonora. make them
myself, il h 'rcS to ~ money to buy food for
my poor sick Eth,r
Here unr III the bazaar keepers intertrrcd,
and told tine yuiing Sraniard she must not
offer things for Saiy in the bazaar, Ms it was
contrary V t. tlr rl', : uI the place.
"'Itul my sirk father iS u stranger in your
land, and pincS tor want "f food, cried she,
wringing her hands. The child chung to his
\ ~ IL -.