The Shasta courier., 1868-07-18
COURIER.
The Three Gilded Balls.
BY N. O. SHEPHERD,


Moses Moss was pawn-broker. as was
also his father before him. One might sup
pose from the name, Moss, that the family
belonged TO the Hebraic persuasion. have
nothing to say in contradiction of this, sue
was really the case. Nor did NJ ses attempt
to conceal the fuct, but like an honest man,
as he certainly was (although the statement
may appear paxadoxical to some) only lit
tie fond Of turning penny, stood boldly up
| for his race.
| Old Aaron Moss, the father of Moses, had
occupied the same shop for years, and had
amassed something of fortune. He had
stood well in the trade also, and conscientious
v regarded the pawn. broking business as
one of the most respectable person could
possibly engage in.
Moses, my son, never take 'em down,
unless it is to have 'em regilded because it
looks nice and attracts custom to see 'em
bright. Never take em down, say, Moses,
till the business don't pay"
When upwards of sixty years Of prosperity
and thrift had passed, old Aaron was gath
cred to his fathers, and Moses succeeded to
the entire business, having enjoyed a limited
share of it for some years previous to this
event. Moses had married at the age of
twenty one young woman of his own race,
but was without cOllQren.
1T is good to marry. Moses, my son."
said the father " it is good to marry young
in life it was the case with me, Moses"
And being thus urged, the young Moss
took unto himself wife; although, with
that foresight so characteristic of his race,
he would, under the circumstances, have
postponed the event until he had laid by some
thing on his own account.
Mnsas married hut have already
said, at the time of old Aaron's death was
without children. Now if there is any one
instinct implanted in the breast of humanity
stronger than all others-and particularly is
this the case with the sons and daughters of
Israel-it is q desire to beget children.
So, like Sarah of old, Esther this was the
name of Moses wife) grieved because she was
childless, and for this reason a cloud rested
upon the habitation of the pawn broker, and
the three gilded balls outside appear to indi-
cate, like barometer, the condition of the
weather within, for almost perceptibly they
grew duller in appearance each day.
=. I'll have 'em regilt,' said Moses, one
morning, g it may improve trade"
So he had the three balls taken down and
regilded, and in less than a weeks time they
were hanging in their place again.
They were hardly more than up, aud the
money told out on the counter, three cnnse-
cutive times, in payment thereof-for Muses.
was precise in his ca.culation-when in walk
ed tall, spare man with slouched hat, top
boots, and moustache which stood straight
out for upwards of two inches on either side
bis face, bearing in his arms what appeared
at first sight to be nothing more than a bum
die loosely done up in coarse plain shawl,
but which, when the outer covering was re-
nrorod IN ho pia Et,la ob;lJ H.
three years of age-a bright-eyed, faxen-
haired little thing. as pretty darling as ever
a woman's heart might DESIRE
The stranger. though peculiar in appear
ance, was fine looking. and evidently gen-
tleman. Immediately on removing the shawl
he stood the child upon the counter, where
its fair curls and pretty bright dress appear
ed in strong contrast to the general dinginess
around, and said to Moses, with show of
Indifference which but i'll. concealed the mans
real feelings.
What'll you loan me on that plaything ?"
" You want to pawn it ?' exclaimed Muses..
in evident astonishment.
Yes" replied the other, 4" that is what
mean"
All the while the child clung to him, half
frightened at the dark man behind the coun-
ter, and the queer place in which she found
herself
''Pontius PLATE p' calculated Moses
IS Esther !''
Here the child began TO cry at the noise be
made, and to cling closer to the strange gen.
tleman, who endeavored to soothe and en-
courage it by his caresses.
Soon a steI was heard on the stairs in an
swer to the call of Moses, and almost imme.
diately his wife made her appearance in the
shop.
:" For ?" said the wife and there came
such a yearning into her eyes, as she stretch
ed forth her hand to receive the little crea
ture F." For me. Moses, is it for me really, to
be mine always ?"
- This gentleman wishes to pawn it." re-
piled Muses.
" To pawn it ~ returned Esther. "Give
me the child, oh. do! Let me hold it in my
arms if only once"
But the child shrank away from her.
Give the gentleman what he wants for it.
Noses do ~
What do you want for the child ?" asked
the broker.
The stranger mentioned sum which ap-
peared perfectly reasonable to the other for
straightway Moses counted it out.
:" For how longf" he asked, before hand.
ing over the bills.
For year," answered the stranger.
No longer" inquired the broker.
No longer" replied the other. For one
year"
Both the woman and the man looked at
each other disappontedly. Moses glanced
towards his wife, and her eyes said as plainly
as if the words had been spoken. Pay the
money
He did so without further waiting.
Il am going to leave you with these good
people, Zerlina. said the stranger address
ing the child, who had begun to cry and to
cling closer to him, as if she had fully under
stoud the nature of the transaction which had
lust been concluded.
Then, taking her in his arms. he kissed her
again and again. calling her his 8 darling"
his =" dear little daughter" and at last hand
ing her over to Esther, who received her with
kiss and an embrace, hastily left the shop.