The weekly North-Carolina standard., 1869-03-24
THE FIREsIDE.
The Diamond Cross.

stones, rare and dazzling, ana pure pale
pearls, and creamy canoes. All were beau
tiful, and Agnes turned her gaze from one
to another unable to decide which was the
most desirable, till suddenly small cross
set with diamonds and twined with a deli
cate vine, flashed the starry light in her eyes.
"See, mother, see that beautiful, beautl-
full cross p she exclaimed. II would rather
have that than all the other jewels in the
case.n
"Itis verv beautiful" said her mother,
"but diamonds are far too grand for my
Agnes, and far too expensive for her father s
means"
"What is the price 2" she asked the clerk,
hoping that her mother had over -estima-
ted it. ...Ia
Five hundred dollars" was the answer.
With one more look at the coveted treas
ure, Agnes turned away feeling that it was
useless to hope to possess it; yet the
thought of it would not leave her and she
went home restless and dissatisfied.
That evening, soon after the lamps were
lighted, the door bell rang, and presently
the servant brought in little package, and
with it note addressed to Agnes. Break
ing the seal, the young girl found 1t to be
froma much loved uncle. who stated that
unseen by her he had CHANGED to enter the
iewelry store at the time she was so eagerly
admiring the diamond cross, aud to crafty
himself, as well as his neice, he had at once
purchased it for her. The note closed with
these words: i. ..-,r ...
ef''tf ever this gift becomes indeed cross
do not hesitate to dispose of it' 81,
81 Agnes could scarcely believe that it was
not all dream, and her fingers trombled as
she loosened the wrappings.
,5 IF ever this gift becomes indeed a cross"
she repeated as she lifted it from its dainty
case "What could my uncle meant" and
then as the diamonds threw out their slen-
der jets oflight, she forgot all else in Won
sdering admiration
For many days the diamond cross was a
source of much delight. There was scarce
ly lover of gems in the town who had not
looked at it with longing eyes as it spark
led on its downy cushions in the jewelers.
case, and when they learned that Agnes
had become Its happy possessor, they
thronged about her with warm congratula-
tions. 1t was not long, however, before
there reached her many invidious remarks
made by the very few friends who had
seemed so sincere in their admiration of her
uncle's costly gift. One said that it was en-
,tirely unsuited to her style of face and
dress; another suggested that she probably
knew that her wealthy relative was within
hearing at the time she expressed her wish
for the cross and one even hinted that, af-
ter all, the diamonds were nothing but
paste. Agnes sensitive heart was sorely
wounded and afraid of exciting more re-
marks of similar nature, she soon ceased
to wear the cross in public, contenting her
cnlf JuIth in
One morning there was quite an excite
ment made by the report that burglars were
in the neighborhood, and that several large
Iobberies had been committed the previous
night. On inspection it was found that an
attempt had been made to break through
one of the basement windows of Agnes room
but the iron bars had refused to yield Ag-
nes' first thought was of her treasure-ber
cross. What it they had succeeded in en-
tering, and had robbed of that And the
fear that something of the kind might come
to pass, so troubled her mind that sine could
take no peace or rest when the cross was
not with her. Unwilling to be seen wear
ing it, she fastened ribbon to the case that
held it and during the day kept it conceal
ed IN her dress, while at night she hid it be-
meath her pillow. This CONSTANT solicitude
soon had its effect upon her dreams She
frequently fancied in her sleep that hand
was thrust stealthy under her head to steal
hear treasure, and would start up CRYING.
/" My cross my cross l'
Again she would dream that her tiny cross
had grown to such huge proportions that
Its weight was crushing her. and she would
waken trembling and exhausted with her
frantic efforts to tear it from her,
Thus, gradually, she was learning that
the Jeweled cross-the cross she had so cov-
eted-was heavy cross to bear, and with
this bitter lesson came thoughts of another
cross, higher and holier; and she remem-
bered that one had said: "Take up thy
cross and follow me-"
1t was winter of great severity, and in
all the larger cities there was much suffering
among the poor for lack of food and fuel.
The daily papers teemed with accounts of
tne destltutlon that prevailed; and among
the many whose hearts were moved with
sympathy for the sufferers was Agnes. the
owner ofthe diamond cross. All the money
she could call her own was cheerfully given.
but 1t. was only trifle at the most, and she
sighed to think how little it would accom-
q pllsh where so much was needed. Sudden
ly she recalled her uncle's words: "If
THIS gift ever becomes indeed cross do not
! hesitate to dispose of It," Had it not he.
y come in very truth a cross Yet she had
prlzed 1t so dearly-her beautiful treasure
that she was unwilling to think of even
pawmng 1T, much less OF parting with it
forever. But the thought of the good she
might accomplish clung to her day and
night, and IN heart there seemed to be voice
saying: Garry thy cross to him who bore
the cross Tor thee, and thou shalt have
y treasure in heaven"
The jeweler looked somewhat puzzled
when Agnes stood at his counter one winter
morning and asked if he we're WILLING to
- take back the diamond cross. But diamonds
had risen In value since the cross was mr.
chased, and he readily paid her the sum
q that had been named as its price a few
n. months previous and before the dav was
done the diamond cross had carried snu-
shine and plenty into many darkened and
destitute home
1t was soon known that the cross vaS
again offered for sale, and numerous were
the surmises as to the possible motive that
had induced Agnes to part with it. but thew
were all far wide of the truth. for the vonn1
girl had disposed her charity SO quietly that
few knew to what use the proceeds Of her
mcle's gift had been appropriated.
With her it was the opening of a nom or,
In laying down her cross of diamonds she
mad taken up that of an earnest, selfsacri
Pclng life, and thenceforth she carried in her
heart the consciousness of blessing others
ano an OF being "rich toward Gods. s.