Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-03-19

at the time she was so eagerly admiring
the diamond cross, and to CRAFTY him.
self, as well as his niece, he had at once
purchased it for her. The note closed
with these words:
IF ever this gift becomes indeed a
cross, do not hesitate to dispose of it."
Agnes could scarcely believe that II
was not all n dream, and her fingers
trembled as she loosened the wrappings.
IF ever this gift becomes indeed a
cross" she repeated. as she lifted it from
its dainty case. "What could my uncle
mean?n And then as the diamonds threw
out their slender Jets of light, she for
got all else in wondering admiration.
For many days the diamond cross was
a source of much delight. There was
scarcely lover of gems in the town who
had not looked at it with longing eyes,
as It sparkled on its downy cushion in
the jewelers. case, and when they learn
ed that Agnes had become its happy
possessor, they thronged about her with
warm congratulations. Ii was not long,
however, before there reached her many
invidious remarks made by the very
friends who had seemed so sincere in
their admiration of their uncle's costly
gift. One said that it was entirely un-
suited 10 her style of face and dress an
other 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, after all. the diamonds were moth
ing but paste. Agnes sensitive heart
was sorely wounded. and afraid of ex-
citing more remarks of n similar nature,
she soon ceased 10 wear the cross in
public, contenting herself with admiring
IL in secret.
One morning there was quite an eX
citement made by the report that burg
lars We're in the neighborhood, and that
several large robberies had been COM
mitted the previous night. On inspcc-
ton il was found that an attempt had
been made TO break through one Of the
basement windows of Agnes home, but
the iron bars had refused 10 yield. Ag-
nes' first thought was of her treasure
her cross. What if they had succeeded
in entering, and had robbed her of that.
And the fear that something of the kind
might come to pass, so troubled her mind
that she could take no peace or rest
when the cross was not with her. I'm
willing TO be seen wearing it, she iasten-
ed a ribbon TO the case that held it, and
during the day kept it concealed in her
dress. while at night she hid il beneath
her pillow. This constant solicitude soon
had its effect upon her dreams. She
frequently fancied in her sleep that
hand was thrust stealthily under her
head TO steal her treasure, and would
start up crying, my cross! my cross :.
Again she would dream that her tiny
cross had grown to such huge proper
tons that its weight was crushing her.
and she would waken trembling and eN-
hausted with her frantic efforts TO tear il
from her.
Thus, gradually she was learning that
the jeweled cross-the cross she had so
coveted, was a heavy cross TO bear, and
with this bitter lesson came thoughts Of
another cross, higher and holier; and
she remembered one who 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 the destitution that prevail
ed and among the many whose hearts
were moved with sympathy for the SUI
ferers was Agnes, the owner of the dia-
mond cross. All the money she could
call her own was cheerfully given, but it
was only trihe at the most, and she
sighed to think how little it would ac-
complish where so much was needed
Suddenly she recalled her uncle's words,
'If this gift ever becomes indeed cross
do not hesitate to dispose of it." Had it
not become in very truth a cross? Yet
she had priced it so dearly-her beauti-
ful treasure-that she was unwilling TO
think of even pawning it, much less OF
parting with it forever. But the thought
of the good she might accomplish clung
to her day and night, and in her heart
there seemed to be voice saying, "Car-
~ thy cross to Him who bore thy cross
for thee, and thou shalt have treasure in
Heaven"
The ieweler looked somewhat puzzled
when Agnes stood at his counter one WIN
ter morning and asked if he were willing
to take back the diamond cross. But
diamonds had risen in value since the
cross was purchased, and he readily paid
her the sum that had been named as its
price few months previous; and before
the day was done the diamond cross had
carried sunshine and plenty into many a
darkened and destitute home.
1t was soon known that the cross was
again offered for sale, and numerous
were the surmises as to the possible mo-
tives that had induced Agnes to part
with it, but they were all far wide of the
truth, for the young girl had disposed Of