North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-03-20
TUNKHANNOCK, Pa WEDNESDAY, MAR. 90, 1867.

set out for her new lodgings with sad
heart. She hoped TO be able to earn 0
subsistence by her needle, until her father
should return to hia home, when she firmly
believed he would relieve her sufferings,
if not for her own, for his grand-child's
sake.
Bravely she entered upon her rew life.
Morning. noon and night found her bend
ing over her sewing or embroidery. Her
form dropped, her cheek grew paler and
paler, her eyes were dim with weeping =
No answers came 10 the many letters she
addressed to her father, and hope at length
died out of her heart To add to her mis-.
ery the winter WAS at hand. and she was
forced to the conviction, that the svaiIs Of
her needle were not sufficient to supply
her wants But there was no alternative,
and with sort Of dumb despair, she still
toiled on.
The morning of January 1st, 1864, found
Mrs. Stanford placing in the CRATE the last
of her little store of fuel. The cold was
intense, and she covered closer the form Of
the sleeping Willie, now nearly three
years of age. She kneIt by his side, and
imprinted kiss after kiss upon his psllld
brow. Never before had she felt as now
the meaning of the sunken cheek and blood
less lips She shuddered with new fear,
for the conviction that he was slowly starv-
ing, had fastened itself upon her mind.
"Oh, Gud?' she cried, clasping her
hands in agony, "hast Thou indeed forsa
ken me )? or art Thou still the widows
support, and the friend of the fatherless p
pray Thee, stretch forth Thine hard and
save my child"
Tenderly she laid her hand upon his
curling locks, and as she did so, her eye
fell upon the ring AID the letter G, which
years before she had placed upon her finger
as the seal of her destiny. She gazed at
it vacantly, as her mind busted itself with
the past. Swiftly the various scenes of her
checkered life passed in revied before her /;
all finely terminating in the misery of the
present. What was to be dones Willie
would soon awake, and she had no more
bread to appeas his hunger. The fire
would soon die out, and then both must
perish with cold. The ring must be of
some value, and she could sell it and OBJ
tain enough to preserve them day or two
at the least. 1t was the last article she pos
sessed that would procure bread Her
heart gave great, painful thIob !; but she
looked at her child, and her decision was
taken.
Wrapping faded shawl around her
emanciatrd form, she stirred the expiring
fire, and closing the door softly behind her,
descended into the street, and walked rap
idly in the direction of the shap. where,
months before, she had disposed of her
jewelry. Although the distance was short
she reached her destination benumbed aud
shiveriug, and paused for moment before
the glowing crate before making known
her errand. An old gentleman enveloped
in great, warm cloak, entered, and ad-
vanced directly to the counter.
81 Wish to purchase bracelet. mo New
Years present for my daughter" he said,
cheerily.
The shcpman placed a case ofjewels be-
fore him, aud then turned to his poorer
customer.
"How much will you give me for this
ring 2" she said, with emotion.
ats actual value is but trihing," he re-
piled "it is very old. ! will give you one
dollar"
'Oh, sir is 1t not worth more than
that g she said. sit is very dear to me
for its associations, and nothing but the
most pressing want would induce me to
part with 1t. pray you give me all it is
worth"
81 can give no more," he said, dropping
it on the counter, carelessly.
Mrs. Stanford grasped it, and pressed it
to her lips then she laid it down rev-r-
emily and extended her hand for the mon
ey.
The old gentleman who had come 10 put
chase bracelet, had listened in silence to
this little dialogue between the poor woman
and the shop keeper; but he now moved
to her side and said, respectfully:
"You seem very unwilling to part with
this ring, madam will you allow me to ex-
anime it 7"
"Certainly. sir" said Mrs Stanford, pass
ing it to him.
The man started as his eyes fell upon the
letter G, and he asked quickly:
"W here did you obt-in this 2
ooh, sir = said Mary, ",t was gift from
my husband, previous to our marriage. l
prize it very highly, for he is dead, and it
is the last mom-nto have. But his child
is starving. and it must be sod"
'Do you know the meaning of this let
ter p he said.
mo, sir, except that ,ny husband told
me it was Masonic emblem, and if was
willing to become the wife of Freemss"n,
| was to wear it for his sake"
well, well" said the old man, 81 pre-
sumo yoa are in haste to return to your
child. have taken fancy to this ring
and [ will give you more for it than the
sbopkeeper can afford to give" and placing
ten dollar note in her hand, he deposited
the ring in bis vest pocket.