The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-10-30

lieu w Dy tue eye WIN u NuIFau hcENch "
fasten it, One largestonc was set in the
center as large rs a pea, surrounded bv
nine smaller ones, but one was lost out
long ago, and | had often tried 10 find a
piece Of white glass to flt tho cavity, but
had failed. The stones were all glas', as
I believed. Some Of the girls in the VII
lagc would ak me why | wore the old
fashioned thing and then | would show
them the dim Mabel" on the back, and
tell them | had been named after the
name there. Some one had given my
mother the pin Tor Inc when | was born (;
and she, mother, said should bear the
same name. The ptdder kept II in his
hand, and | noticed that his fingers trem-
blcd.
"pll bring it you back in three months
time" said he; "'twon't be o. no good tn
me, but III take it on trust. Or, IL you
can pay sooner, | shall he about the
neighborhood, and shall sleep each night
at the inn"
Be you very sure | did not hesitate
long; tho temptation was too great SO,
thrusting the old pin carelessly into his
breast pocket, be tied up his bundles, and
with low bows left the hause.
could scarcely believe In my good
luck. l SPREAD out my new frock on the
bed, and h"ldit before me to try the elect.
And then | began to repent. Ny father
knew, would not give ME one cross look !
but still | did hate to tell him Of the
twelve shillings owed the peddlcr. ]
would be so saving for the next three
months, that he would lose nothing by
my bargain, for I'd scrapc it together my
self
When picked up the linen band to
put 1t round my neck, did not know
how 10 Iasten Il at first without that
familiar old pin; then rccollectrd how
often the girls had told me that a bow Of
ribbon would look so much prcttier. So,
looking up small piece Of black velvet, !
formed n bow, and felt more than salts
fed.
Ny father did not get home to tea or to
supper. | put the children to bed after
their slices of bread and treacle and
good washing.
At ten o'clock note came, saying some
business had detained my father; that |
had better close the house and retire.
This was nothing very unusual, as his
business matters often kept hlm late. |
was quite staid little woman in manage
mcnt. and did as I was Did. My father
would come in with bis latch key. On
Sunday morning at breakfast the Children
showed him their watches and doll. |
said nothing about the dress, for II struck
me he was looking ANXIOUS.
"W here's your brcastpin, Mabel ~ he
asked, rs the children ran out before the
door after breakfast.
The breastpin! was frightened at
once. He had never asked after it or
noticed 1t before. He must have heard of
what I'd done and was angry.
"Father, have not cot itr' exclaim-
cd at once, ready to cry.
"Not got Il! What do you mean,
child You surely wore It yesterday ~
ayes, sir,n replied. "and it's all safe.
was Just gcing to tell you about 1t when
you frightened me-"
"Well, I don't wish to friehten you,
my dear; had no thought Of such
thing. Calm yourself, Mabel, while tell
you Of letter | received yesterday, AID
then you can get the pin at your leisure.
You can getitp
al can get it, father. Or, rather you
can. BUT hope you will not blame nc.
What have you head about itF
"Wcll, my dear, listen. We have
never attached nny value TO that old pin,
only that a good, kind woman gave II TO
your mother to kesp Tor you, and so We
did keep it because Of that. She was
stranger to us, poor lady. and was in dis
treSs, and your mother was kind to her.
But she left the place soon after you were
born, and we never heard more Of her.
Yesterday, however, got letter from a
long distance, aSkinI about that very pin,
anil describing it, oven to the name on
the hack. 1t Is very valuable, Mabel"
My heart was beating ten strokes where
It should have beat but one.
i'The pin we have set no store by is Of
great wlue, Mabel, The centre diamond
alone is worth what to us poor people
would be fortune. And It Is all yours,
my dear; YOU can convert the diamonds
into money and be at ease for life"
What with :he overpowering surprise
and what with fear Of my fathers anger,
tainted. When | came to myself Gu the
sofa in the parlOr, the children were
there, and 1t was too late 10 go to church.
felt bewildered, and trrmbled vet, but
listened attcntively to my father rs he
read the important letter from London.
Then sprang up wildly.
"Oh, father, father, 60 down to the
Black lIorscr' l exclaimed. "The ped.
ller is there. and he has my pin"
Ny fathers first thought was that the
GOOD fortune hal turned my brain. en-
plair-.l all to him. lie was very kind,
never scolding me but as TO finding the
pin and pc'ldlcr, he knew more Of the
world than his foolish child, and was not
so hopeful. ..-
lloweycr, he thought it best to go, and
for nc to 60 with him. So in few mO.
ments we were walking down to the
Black Horse. The landlord was sitting
in his front porch, smoking quietly. Tie
looked surprised when we walked up the
STEPS, but very politely invited us into
the parlor, explaining that his women
folks had gone TO church. !
"Is there a peddlcr staying with You,
Mr.. Ford ln began my father.
"a pCidler l-no,n exclaimed the land
lord, as IL the question vexed him, Al
have not seen peddler for three weeks,
and the one that was here did not pay his
bill.n
! must have turned very pale at this,
and felt faint again. Mr.. Ford wanted
me to take cordial Ny father turned It
of. saying was tired. Then he said that
| bad made little bargain with peddler