Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-10-08

4 l.
had told me that bow Of ribbon would
lock so much prettier. So, looking up
small piece of black velvet, formed q bow,
and felt more than satisfied.
My father did not get home to tea OR &c
supper. put the children to bed after
their slices Of bread and treacle, and good
washing. tta
At 10 O'Clock a note came, saving 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 him late. was quite a
staid little woman in management. and did
as | was bid. My father would come in
with his latch-key. On Sunday morning at
breakfast the children showed him their
watches and doll. l said nothing about the
dress, for it struck me he was looking anx-
ious.
"Where'S your breastpin, Mabel?n he
asked, as the children ran out the door af-
ter breakfast.
The breastpin! was frightened at once.
He had never asked after It or noticed il
before. He must have heard of what I'd
done and was angry.
"Father, have not got it?" l excla lined
at once, ready to cry.
"Not got it. What do you mean, child?
You surely wore it Yesterday
eyes, SIR replied, 'fand it's all safe, /
was just going to tell you about it when you
frightened me-"
Well, | don't wish to frighten you, my
dear; had no thought of such a thing.
Calm yourself, Mabel, while tell YOU of a
letter received yesterday, and then YOU
can get the pin at your leisure. You can
get it ?"
81 can get it, father. Or rather you can.
But hope you will not blame me. What
have you heard about t?'' -
swell, my dear, listen. We have never
attached any value to that old pin, only that
a good, kind woman gave it to your mother
to keep for you, and SO we did keep it be-
cause of that. She was a stranger to us,
poor lady, and your mother was kind to
her. But she left the place soon after you
were born, and we never heard more other.
Yesterday got letter from long dis
lance, asking about that very pin, aud de-
scribing it, even to the name on the back.
1t is very valuable, Mabel"
My heart was beating ten strokes where
it should have beat but one.
The pin we have set no store by is of
great value, Mabel. The centre diamond
alone is worth what to us poor people would
be a fortune. And it is all yours, my dear;
you can convert the diamonds into money
and be at ease for life.
What with the overpowering surprise,
and what with fear of my fathers anger,
tainted. When | came to myself on the
sofa in the parlor, he children were there,
and it was too late to go to church. l felt
bewildered, and trembled yet, but listened
attentively to my father, as he read the i'm
portant letter from London. Then sprang
up wildly.
''Oh, father, father, go down to the Black
HOrse!" 1 exclaimed. "The pedler is there,
and he has my PIN"
My fathers first thought was that the
good fortune had turned my brain. / ex-
planned all to him. He was very kind,
never scolding me; but, as to finding the
pin and the pedler, he knew more of the
world than his foolish child, and he was not
so hopeful.
However, he thought best to 90, and for
me to go with him. So in few moments
we were walking down to the Black Horse.
The landlord was sitting alone in his front
porch, smoking quietly. He looked sur
very politely invited us into the parlOr, ex-
planning that his women folks had gone to
church.
as there pedler staying with you, Mr.
FOrd?" began my father.
"a pedler2-no, exclaimed the landlord,
as if the question vexed him. II have not
seen a pedler for three weeks, and the one
that was here then did not pay his BILL"
| must have turned very pale at this, and
felt faint again. Mr.. Ford wanted me to
take a cordial. My father turned it of,
saying l was tired. Then he said that |
had made little bargain with pedler the
day before, and that we wished to settle
with him.
SCOT cheated, / warrant" said the bluff
old landlord; "but no such man came to
this house yesterday. / do recollect now
that Joe, my ostler, said he saw a fellow
with a big black box or bundle, come up
the bank from the creek just after the stage
passed; but l didn't pay any attention to
him."
My father gave up all hope at once; but l
could not believe my fortune was gone. He
tried to comfort me by saving was Just as
well off as before, and had new dress into
the bargain. How hated the thought of
my beautiful merino
Well, it is of no use TO prOlOng my story,
or tell you of all the efforts made to catch
the adroit thief. He was no pedlar, but
clerk in that very law office frem which the
letter was sent telling us of the diamonds.
He managed to delay the letter to my
father for post or two, fastened away him
self, and obtained my pin.
We never found him; we never heard of
him. He must have got off somewhere
over the sea with his prize. My poor, toll
ing father, always gentle, did not reproach
me; but ever to this day the regret lies
heavily on my mind; for what might not
have done for him and the dear children
with all that money?
And the lady who had given me the pin
did not know until she was dying the value
it was of; and that caused the stir. All me.
it was one Of those chances in life that per-
haps we all miss on occasion: ''the tide in
the affairs of men which taken at the flood.
leads on to fortune" And about nv Grim
son dress? For long while, shabby though
| was, could dot look at it, or let it N
made up. But time soothes troubles. And
| must say that it made a charming gown;
and one who was an artist saw me in it and
made me his wife. So perhaps it all hap
pened for the best.
But I'm sure | hope that wicked peddler
who made believe to speak like foreigner
the better to take me in-came to be hanged!