Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1871-11-02

whether German or French, and he
looked so astonished, even pitiful, that
felt sorry at once. and confessed that
| had no money, and could not pnr.
chase.
But the beautiful young lady have
some old silver-old jcwelry-old silk
dresses-just as good as money 2 said
he.
laughed at the idea, but he only
opened another package to display TO
the boys some dumb watches with very
gay chains. and handing them each one,
he took out a small doll for my little
sister, told them 10 run away now, till
sister bought her dress mentioned
to the boys 10 stay near the door-steps,
and then taking out the much-covert-
dress piece. | again examined it, Satan
was tempting me, or some ycxa,ious
spirit that does duty for him, and nev.
er had been so beset. How could |
let go, Yet how paw for il;
The black eyes never len nv face.
but the fellow was respectful, only
bowling lower As he said. You think it
good:'
oh. YES : | replied. too good for
ME.
Not So he said. 1t suits you much,
and You shall have i, cheap.
i tell YOU ! have no money.
/ No matter, trust. You give me
something to keep for you, and come
again he said.
But l have nothing | insisted
Still he only seemed more eager; said
something of hard times, of having to
stay at the tavern, and the expenses
over sunday, of being 50 very tirc,i'
and with the nerino in nv hand all
| the while.
suddenly he stepped close 10 me,
| pointing 10 the poor brooch | wore.
could give him that, he said; that is
lend II 10 HIM IN trust until lie came
again. Dad | think much OF II, he ask
Ell.
laughed as | undii it, | did not
think much Of 1t, bu. it WAS all the
jewclry possessed in the world. ] show
ed him my name on the back, Mabel,
but it was worn nearly ille.ible now.
Nearly quite said he. turning il
about in his hand. 1t is very poor
And this WAS true. the poor thin
| gold, If il was gold, was all dented and
mashed flat, the original pin gone, and
needle tied in by the eye with u
thread served 70 fasten it. One large
stone Was set in the center AS .arsc as
pea, surrounded By nine smaller
! ones but one Of these was ost out long
ago, and | had often tied 10 find Il
piece of white glass ~ fit the small
cavity, but had fated. The stones
were all glass, as Jbelieved. Some OF
the girls in the village would ask me
WHY | wore that old-fashionei thing ;
and then w.uld show them the dim
Mabel on the back, and tell them
| had beer named after the name there.
Some one had given my mother the pin
for me when | was born; and she.
r,other, said | should bear the same
name. The pedler kept ii in his hand,
and noticed his fingers trcmblei.
I'll bring it back in three months
time said he 'twon't be ono good 10
me, but I'll take it on trust. Or, if
you can pay sooner, shall be about
the neiyhborhood all next week, and
shall sleep each night at the inn
BE YOU very sure did not hesitate
long. the temptation was too great !;
so. thrusting the old pin carelessly in
to his breast pocket, he tied up his bum
dies. and with a low bow left the house
could scarcely believe in nv good
luck. spread out nv new frock on
the bed. and held it up before Inc TO
try the effect. 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 peddler. l would be SO
saving for the next three months that
he would lose nothing bv my bargain,
for I'd scrape it together myself.
When picked up the linen band TO
put it round my neck, did not know
how TO fasten it at first without tnat ia
miliar pin then recollected how Of
ten the girls had told me that q bow of
ribbon would look SO much prettier.
So. looking up small piece of black
velvet, l formed bow and felt more
than satisfied.
Nv father did not come home TO tea
| put the children to bed after their
slices Of bread and treacle and good
washing.
At ten O'Clock note came, saving
some business had detained my father !;
that had better close the house and
retire. This was nothing very unusu-
al, as his business matters often kept
him late. was quite staid little
woman in management, and did as
was bid. NV father would come in
with his lstch-key. On Sunday morn
ing at breakfast the children showed
him their watches and doll. said
nothing about the dress, for it struck
me he was looking anxious.
where's your breast-pin, Mabel 2
He asked, as the children ran out be-
fore the door after breakfast.
The breast-pin! l was frightened
NJ OuCC lac hdu uCNCA OoAV>A - vi ~
or noticed it before. He must have
heard what I'd done and was angry.
Father, have not got it! ex-
claimed at once, ready to cry.
Not got it! What do you mean
child? You surely wore it yester-
day.
Yes, SIR l replied, 'and it is all
safe. l was just going to tell you
about it when you frightened me-
well, l don't wish to frighten you,
my dear; had no thought Of such q
thing. Calm yourself, Mabel, while !
tell you of letter received yesterday,
aad then you can get the pin at your
pleasure. You can get itr
4 can get it, father. Or rather you
can. But l hope you will not blame
me. What have you heard about it?
We'll, my dear, listen. We have
never attached any value to that old
pin, oaly that . good, kind woman