The Placer herald., 1871-11-25

had often tried to find a piece of white
glass to fit the small cavity, but had failed.
The stones were all glass, as ] believed.
Some of the girls in the village would ask
me why wore the old fashioned thing; and
then would show them the dim "Mabel
on the back, telling them had been named
my mother the pin for me when l was born;
and she, mother, said should bear the same
name. The peddler kept it in his hand, and
noticed that his fingers trembled
I'll bring it back to you in three months'
time" said he; 'twont be of no good to me,
but I'll take it on trust. Or, if you can pay
sooner, I shall be about the neighborhood all
next week, and shall sleep each night at the
nn.''
Be you very sure did not hesitate long;
the temptation was too great; so, thrusting
the old pin carelessy into his breast pocket,
he tied up his bundles, and with low bows
left the house.
could scarcely believe in my good luck.
| spread out my new frock on the bed, and
held it before me to try the effect. And then
began to repent. My father, knew,
would not give me one cross look; but still
did hate to tell him of the twelve shllings !
owed the peddler. | would be so saving
for the next three months that he would lose
nothing by my bargain, for I'd scrape it to-
gether myself.
When | picked up the linen band to put it
round my neck, did not know how to fasten
it at first without that old familiar pin; then
recolIected how often the girls had told me
that bow of ribbon would look SO much
prettier. So, looking up small piece of
black velvet, formed bow, and felt more
than satisfied.
Ny father did not get home to tea or to
supper. Iput the children to bed after their
slices of bread and treacle and good wash
ing.
AT 10 o'clock note came, saying some
business had detained my father; that l had
better close the house and retire. This was
nothing very unusal, as his business matters
often kept him late. Twas 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 break
fast the children showed him their watches
and coll. said nothing about the dress,
for it struck me he was looking anxious.
Where's your breastpin, Mabel?' he
asked, as the children ran out before the
door after breakfast.
The breastpin! was frightened at once.
He had never asked after it or noticed it be-
fore. He must have heard of what l had
done and was angry.
Father, have not got itp' l exclaimed
at once, ready to cry.
Not got itl What do you mean, child?
You surely wore it yesterday ?"
Yes, sir" replied, &C. and it's all safe.
was just going to tell you about it when
you frightened me-"
"Wcll, don't wish to frighten you, my
dear; had no thought of such a thing
Calm yourself, Mabel, while tell you of
letter l received yesterday, and then you can
get the pin at your leisure. You can get
it?"
&c l can get it, father; Or, rather, you can.
But / hope you will not blame me. What
have you heard about t?"
"Well, my dear, listen. We have never
attached any value to that old pin, only
that good, kind woman gave it to your
mother to keep for you, ard SO we did keep
it because of that. She was a stranger to
us, poor lady, and was in distress, and your
mother was kind to her. But she left the
place soon after you were born, and we have
never heard more of her. Yesterday, how
ever, got a letter from long distance, ask
ing about that very pin, and describing it,
even to the name on the back. 1t is valu-
able, Mabel.
My heart was beating ten strokes where
it should have beat but one.
1.-The pin we have set no store by is of
great value, Mabel The center diamond
alone is worth what to us poor people would
be fortune. And it is all yours, my dear;
you can convert the diamond into money and
be at ease for life."
What with the oyerpowering surprise and
what with fear of my fathers anger, faint
ed. When came to myself on the sofa in
the parlor, the children were there, and it
was too late to 60 to church. l felt bewil
dered, and trembled yet, but listened attent-
lively to my father as he read the important
letter from London. Then sprang up wildly.
"Oh, father, father, 90 down 20 the Black
Horse" exclaimed. The pcddler is there
and he has my PIN.
My fathers first thought was that the
good fortune had turned my BRAIN l ex-
planned all to him. He was very kind,
never scolding me; but, as to finding the
pin and the peddler, he knew more of the
world than his foolish child, and was not SO
hopeful.
However, he thought it best to go, and
for Inc to 60 with him. So in a few moments
we were walking down to the Black Horse.
The landlord was sitting alone on his front
porch, smoking quietly. He looked sur
prised when we walked up the steps, but
very politely invited us into the parlor, ex-
planning that his women folks had gone to
church.
"Is there peddlcr staying with you, Mr..
Ford?' began my father.
" A peddler ?-no," exclaimed the land