The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-01-06
ing. Have you any

let NE give utm III y use uoilai Soi~ pIooo'
| think that would be better than any
playthings. May | give it!'
Yes, my child, if you are really willing.
But ere you quite sure that you will not
regret it aftewards?'
eyes, mother" and Lizzie ran lightly
to the little box where she kept her trea-
sure, and brought it forth and placed it
in Williams hand.
"That is your Christmas present, " said
she gaily.
Willie looked in surprise.
"Do you mean it for mel" he asked in
a half bewildered tone.
Eyes, if you like it."
"I thank you very much for your kind
ness" said Willie earnestly, "and I will
always remember it,"
There was something in the boys ear
nest tone which Lizzie felt as an ample
recompense for the little sacrifice she had
made. Mr.. Dinsmoor fulfilled his pro-
mise and walked with Willie as far as
the street in which he lived, when, feel
ing sure that be could no longer mistake
his way, he left him.
Mr. Dismoor, whom We have introduced
to our readers, was prosperous merch-
ant aud counted his wealth By hundreds
OF thousands. Fortunately his dispositi-
on was liberal, and be made the poor
sharers with him in the gifts which fortune
had SO literally showered upon him.
Notwithstanding the good use which
he made of his wealth, be was fated to
experience reverses-resulting not from
his own mismanagement, but from gen
eral commercial panic which all at once
involved in ruin many whose fortunes
were large and whose credit was long
established. In word, Mr.. Dinsmoor
failed.
Eleven years had rolled by since the
Christm as nig ght on which our story opens.
Lizzie had not belied the promise of her
girlhood, but had developed into radi-
antly beautiful girl. Already her hand
had been sought in marriage, but as yet
she had seen no one whom she could look
at with that affection, without which mar
riage would be mockery.
Charlie and Harry, too. Eleven years
had changed them not little. Even
boys Of four and six had become fine
manly youths of fifteen and seventeen.--
The eldest had entered college. Harry,
however, who was by no means studious,
had entered his father countlngroom.
That was a sorrowful night, on which
Mr.. Dinsmoor made known to his affec-
ted wife the bankruptcy which was in
evitable. Still sadder, if possible, was
the sale which it enforced of the house
which they had SO long occupied, the
furniture which had become endeared to
them by memory and association, and
the harsh interruption which loss of for
tune put to all their treasured schemes.
My poor boy" said Mrs. Dinsmoor
sorrowfuily, as she placed her hand car
ressingly on the brown locks Of Charlie,
the eldest of the two boys. ''It will be
hard sacrifice for you to leave the stu
dies to which you are SO much attached,
and enter store, as you will be obliged
TO do
"Ah, had not thought of that mur-
INJURED Charlie. SIT will indeed be sac
rifice, but, mother, | would not care for
that if you could only be spared the tri.
ais to which you will be exposed from
poverty"
Thank you for your consideration, my
child but do not fear that l shall not
accommodate myself to it. 1t is heavy
trial, bat We musttry to think thatit will
ultimatel J eventuate in our good"
AT the auction of Mr. Dnsm oor's house
and furniture, the whole property, with
put exception, was knocked off to young
man who seemed apparently of twenty.
Two or three years of age. He was able
TO secure it at price much beneath its
real value, for times were hard and mo.
ney scarce, so that he had but few COM
petitors. Mr.. Dinsmoor did not hear his
name and the pressure of sad thoughts
prevented his making the inquiry.
Possession was to be given in one week
Meanwhile Mr.. Dnsmoor sought out a
small house in an obscure part Of the
own, which in point of elegance and con-
genience formed complete contrast to
he one he had formerly occupied. He
Eelt, however, that it would be all bis
'canty salary as clerk (for be had secured
a situation in that capacity would enable
hin to afford.
Lizzie looked with rueful face at the
piano, as dear friend, from whom she
must hencefor!b be separated, it being
quite too costly piece of furniture to be
retained in their reduced circumstances.
der proficiency in music, for which she
lad great taste, made her regret doublY, |
ince she might with it have added to the
'esources of the family By giving music
essons.
On the last evening in which they were
o remain in the old house, their sad |
thoughts were broken in upon BY ring
1t the bell
Can they not leave US to enjoy the last |
evening in quietl said Charles half petu-
antly.
Immediately afterwards there entered I
! young man, in whom Mr.. Dnsmoor