The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1869-12-16

j knew nay father would not give me
one cross look, but still | did hate to
tell him of the eight dullars owed the
paddler. ] would be ST. saving for the
next three months, that dear papa
would lose nothing by my trade.
When picked up the linen band to
pat it round my neck, did not know
how 10 lasten it ut frs. without that
familiar old pin, but then recolIccted
how often the girls had told me that
bow ofribbon would look SO much pret.
tier; so looking up small piece Of
black velvet, formed a bow, and felt
quite satisfied with the eff ct.
prepared supper that evening; but
as father did not come ut the usual hour,
| fed my little flock and put them to
bed each elaspiug closely the present
given by that generous pcddler, for the
poor little iunocents lad never owned
such treasures before and sat down
to wait, aud think over how should tell
my father Of the eight dollars, aud won.
deriug it he would prefer paying i'm.
mcdiatcly to waiting three months, us
the nan had suggested
Al ten O'Clock received a uote, say.
ing business detained my father. aud
til had better close the house aud
retire. This was nnihing very unusual.
as the postoffice receipts had TO be
overlooked ut times; so went to bed,
aud did not wake until late Sunday
morning. llurrying down to prepare
breakfast, met my father at the foot
Of the stairs.
You are late, dear" he said kindly;
but | thou hit he looked more anxious
than usual.
The children came in to breakfast,
and, Sunday though it was, they each
brought their present in 10 show to
father, and he asked how they came by
all these pretty things. i ooiy said,
wait until get the children off to
Sunday school, aud will tell you all
about it, father"
So | made short work of ii, for their
Sunday clothes wers all ready; aud as
soon as they were fairly off. went ou:
in the garden where father sat, under
the old apple tree, aud was eager to be
gin my tale, when father said-"Sit
down Mabel, have something to tell
you. But first let me ask you TO bring
me that breastpiu | have seen you wear;
| see you have not got it on this morn
ing as usual"
WIS frightened at ouce. TAGt old
hing, that no one had ever noticed be-
fore, why should it become so import
aut all at opeeY
Father, | have not 90 it r | ex.
claimed at once, ready to cry.
"Not got IL What do you mean.
child? You surely wore it yesterday
"Yes sir" | replied "but was Just
going to tell you, when you frightened
me so"
swell | don't wish to frighten you,
dear so calm yourself while | tell you
ofa letter | received yesterday, and
then you can get the pin at your lcis
ure."
"Oh, yes | can get it-or rather
you eau, father; hut hope you will not
blame me if tell you"
"Never mind that at present." said
my father, let me speak now" And
he continued: "Well, dear, we have
never utta.hed any value to that old
pin, only that good, kind woman gave
1t to your mother to keep for you, as
she had named you, and the same old.
fashioned name was on the back of the
pin. Soon after this, the poor old lady
was called back TO England but the
vessel she sailed in was lost, aud We
never heard any more about her--never
knew her history. Yesterday there
came to me letter from lawyer in
London, asking for information Of that
old pin, describing it perfectly, even to
the lost set and the name on the back
AID now, my little Mabel, what will
you think when | tell you that you are
q rich lady-a great heiress-eh ?"
My heart was beating fast, but
managed to say--"Why how can that
be, fathery"
The pin we have always set such
little value on was Of great value. 1t
appears that the centre diamond alone
is worth at least fifty thousand dollars"
diamonds" exclaimed aud then
| must have tainted, for when came to
myself was lying on the lounge in the
sitting room; the children we're at home,
aud il was too late to 90 to church. |
felt bewildered, and trembled yet, but
listened attentively to my father as he
read the important letter from London
Then ! sprang up wildly aud exclaimed
10 father ! dc hasten down to the
tavern you will be in time for the
poor peddler who has my pin is to spend
Sunday there"
Father did not understand me at
first, but thought this sudden fortune
had surely turned my brain. But lex.
plained it to him, told him of the eight
dollars owed che man, aud how glad
he would be to get the money aud give
up the pin. But father knew more Of
the world .than his foolish child, and
was not SO hopeful,
However, he thought it best to 90,
aud for me to 80 with him. SO in a
few moments we were walking down the
village street, every one we met looking
at us inquirinely, thinking il strange
We were not at church.
The landlord was sitting alone on his
front porch, smoking quietly; helooked
surprised when We walked up the steps,
but very politely invited US into the
parlor, explaining that all bis women