Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-05-19
Nell suggested that the ring might be

Nell suggested that the ring might be
"round the fireplace"
"You're warm my dear" said /, Joy
fully. But as fate would have it, they
only picked out the wrong brick, and
didn't strike deep enough, either. Here
lies that solitaire, as solitary as Hamleti
fathers ghostl Here IL lies, at the
northeast corner, eight inches from the sur
face.
"What of thatY" said l, trying to be al
philosophical and cold blooded as a light
ning-rod. "Pshaw Nothing but dust O
the earth, any way. mean nothing bu
coal dustl Peace to its ashesp
But James Van Duster didn'tagree will
me on that subject He thought more o.
the ring than he did of his best friend
He wasn't quite as absent minded as Dick
took him to be. He knew when the soil
taire was drawn off his finger as well as
either you or would know. And being
high and mighty young fellow, with .
mind as narrow as the neck of half
bargain, what should he do that morning
but send an officer after the ring.
You might have heard Mr. Dean groan
clear across the street. The officer was
very polite, and listened to all the family
had to say, but whether he believed it OF
not I've no means of knowing. All / can
say, with certainty, is that old Mr.. Van
Duster interfered, and said If Dick could
pay the price of the ring, the lowest price
eight hundred dollars-he needn't go to
Jail the matter would be hushed up.
Eight hundred dollars Why, old Mr.
Dean just earned his salt by tending to an
oven at a bakery. There was nothing in
the house of any value but Mrs Deans
piano, and that wouldn't bring more than
three hundred. OF course it went, though
and John had to be written to q don't
know what his blue .blooded wife said y to
make up the balance. He did this in the
shape of loan. l did think John was
hard-faced. He might have given Dick
the money for their mothers sake. 1t was
too bad for such a young fellow as Dick to
be saddled with a debt, even if he had
been careless. ,....
After this the boy couldn't afford his
time to GO to school, so he got a clerkship.
At first he held up his head with the best
of them, but after time the cold shoulder
was turned to him. The Van Busters
hadn't kept their word the story was
whispered around that Dick had stolen
the solitaire and couldn't return it because
the Jew he had sold it to refused 10 give
it up.
Dick was nearly wild. He ran away to
work on farm in New Jersey. believe
his mothers letters were all that sustain
ed him.
"Never fear, Dick, said she, this mys.
terry will be cleared up in Gods good time,
We can't see why the trial was sent, but
perhaps it was to make you patient and
full of charity for others. You may de
pend upon it as the truth, that
The sorrows of your youthful day
VIII make you wise in coming years."
The old gentleman gave right up, anC
the care of the whole family fell upor
Nell. She is shrewd little manager, anC
has found enough embroidery and copying
to do to keep off starvation as for clothes
they haven't had many.
She is most remarkable girl. Il de
hope she is coming round the corner !
All the amusement she seemed to have
was going to the door, standing on the
steps, and looking down the street.
More shingles, boys! I'm about out o
breath)
All, well, what with Mrs. Deans cough
this mystery" and all, we have been {
suffering family; but we have our bless
ings, not the least of which is Nell. w,
have had some cosy times this winter, too
popping corn over the Goals but it's al
past now. They went to Thirty-fftl
street yesterday.
don't know how could have borne i
but for the reflection that l was dying TO
the good of the family. Yes, when fall
murder will outl The ring comes u
light!
Boys, you're sharp-eyed, but you won
getit l keep looking out for Nell; sh
told her mother she should watch tina
kitchen chimney when it fell. H..
Bravol There she standsl That'i
Nell, the modest girl in the blue dress
with the bird on her hat. Make way 70
her. Bravo, Nell, Pm reeling Hamme
away, ye iron-hearted men, I've got m,
death-blow. Sharp, Nell, I'm dow-dow-
down. .slr.. r-
Please, sirs, let me look here for some
thing?" says she.
"Yes, Nell, look in the northeast corner
Hurrah! She's found it! That revive
mel Hurrah! wish / had some hand
to clap! Three cheers for the little girl i
blue! Farewell p-Our Young Folk