Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-06-08
gclrtt gtorp.
CLARA WILLIS
The Diamond Ring.

1t was the night before Christmast Mr.
Almaync did not observe the little, blue
nosed boy crouching by the brilliantly illu
minated plate-glass window, as he spranl
out of his carriage and went into the
thronged shop. How should he? But lit
tie Ben Morrow eyes, eager with the sickly
night of extreme poverty, took in every de-
tail of the rich man : cqulppagc, and hi,
purple fingers clasped one another tight, a,
he looked,
ooh !" he thought, chow nice it must
be to be rich-to have cushioned carriages
and big red fires, and mincc pics every day
Oh, 1wish | were rich -
And Ben shrank closer into his corner Il:
the wind fluttcrcd his thin, worn clotlin
and lifted the curls with freezing touch
from his forehead.
Nor did Mr.. Almaync observe him whor
he re-cntered his carriage drawing on hi,
expensive fur gloves, and leaning among hi,
velvet cushions with sigh scarcely less
earnest than little Ben's had been.
The childs idea of "a big, red fire
would have been quite realized if he had
seen the scarlet shine that illuminated Mr..
Almayne's luxurious drawing rooms that
night, glowing softly on gildcd tables, air
bastcr vases, and walls of rose and gold
while, just before the genial flame, the pale
widower sat, thoughtiully watching the
Pickering spires Of green amethyst light,
and very lonely in his splendid solitude.
81 wonder what made me think of home
Just then, he murmurcd, idly tapping his
foot upon the velvet rug.
81 wonder what alchemy conjurcd up the
old house under the walnut tree, and the
old bridge, where the willow branches swept
the waters-the bridge where little Clara
Willis used to sit and study her lessons,
while angled vainly for the fish that new
er would bite. How lovely she was, that
golden haired girl, with he blue-veined fore
head, and dark down-cast eyes [ was
very much in love with Clara Willis in those
boyand- girl days. | should like to know
on what shore the waves OF time have cast
her barquc. 1t is not often that person
one has known in lang syne vanishes so en-
tirey and utterly from ones horizon.
Poor Clara! what glittering air palaces we
build in the future-how solemnly We
plighted our childish troth And when |
came back with the fortune on whose golden
colonades our fairy castle of happiness up
reared its pinacles, she was gone. And Ma
she was not Clara Willis"
AS tnc 'nouSHt pdsscu oNcr HIS DTalil,
he instinctiyely glanced down at the finger
his dead wife. Tile ring was gone.
"Lost--it can't be lost" he murmured
to himself, trying to think when and where
he had last observed it, ''Can it have
dropped from my finger without my knowl-
edge? | must notify the police at once,
and have it advertised. Poor Mary ring!
would not lose it for twice its value, and
that would be no mean sum.
1t was narrow and murky little street,
with here and there dim lamp faring fee
bly, through the white obscurity of the driv-
en- snow; but but little Ben. Morrow knew
every one of its covered flag stones by heart
and ran whistling down the alley-way of
tall weather-stained building, undaunted
by wind or tempest
See, sis, what jolly glove I've found"
he calculated driving suddenly into a mar
row doorway, and coming upon small
room only half lighted by kerosene lamp,
beside which sat young woman, busily at
work. "IIallow is the fire out p
"Wrap this old shawl around you, Ben, :"
said the woman, looking up with a smile
that partook more OF tears than of mirth
''and you won't mind the cold so much,-
All the coal is gone and | can't buy any
more until | am paid for the caps. ''Did
you sell any more matches?'
"Only two boxes" sighed the boy. 81
was so cold, Clara, that couldn't go round
to the houses"
"Well, never mind, Ben," she said,
cheerfully, ''Sit close to me, dear--we'll
keep each other warm. Oh! Ben,
should Ike Is to have, given you nice whole
coat for Christmas.
"Don't cry, sis, )" said the boy leaning his
head against her knee. Didn't you give
me your shall for acomforter, only lost it
that windy day? You're just as good and
sweet as you can be, Clara, and | love you
just as well as if you was my whole sister,
instead of only half one. -
She smiledithrough her tears
'What was it about glove, Ben 2"
He sprang suddenly as if remembering.
"A gentleman dropped it IN the street |
ran after the carriage, but it went too fast
for me to catch up. Isn't it nice, sis ?
'Very nice, Ben"
She drew the fur ylnvc absiracirlly an