Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-01-05

U
old fashioned thing, and then 1 woeH
/ show them the dim "Nfabel" on the bach
and tell them I had been named after the
name there. Some one had given my
mother the pin for me when I was born,
and she said should bear the same name.
| The re ldlcr kept it in his hand, and 1 no
| ticed that his fingers tremblcd.
'"Tll bring ii back to you in three months
time" said he; "'twon't be o. no good to
me, but I'll take il on trust. orif you can
pay sooner, shall be about the neichbor-
hood 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 carclessly into his breast pock-
ct, he tied up his bundles, and with low
bows left the house.
could scarcely believe in my good luck.
1 spread my new frock on the bed, and l
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
shillings l owed the peddler. l would be 50
saving for the next three months, that he
would lose nothing by my bargain, for I d
scrlpe it together myself.
When l picked up the linen band to put
it round my neck, did not know how to
iasten il at first without that familiar old
pin then [ recollecled how often the girls
had told me that a bow of ribbon would
look so much prettler. SO, looking up a
small piece of black velvet. | formed a
bow, and felt more than satisfied.
NY father did not get home to tea or to
supper. / put the children to bed after
their slice of bread and treacle and good
washing.
At 10 O'Clock note came, saying some
business had detained my father; that
had better close the house and retire. Tis
was nothing very unusual, as his business
matters often kept him till late. | was
quite Il 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. | said nothing
about the dress, for it struck me he, was
looking anxious.
"Where's your breastpin, Mabel p he
asked, AS the children ran out before the
door after break fast.
The breast pin l was frightened at
once. He had never asked after il or no
ticed it before. He must have heard of
what had done and was angry.
Father, have not got hr' exclaimed
at once, ready to cry.
mot got it! What do you mean, child {?
Won u,,rnIx- unro n ,-ostorJov
"Ycs, sir" replied, "and it's all safe. |
was Just going to tell you about it when
you frightened me-"
"Well, l don't wish to frighen you, my
dear;'I had no thought of such 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 got it, father. Or, rather you can
But hope you will not blame me. What
have you heard about it?'
"Well. my dear, listen. We have never
attached any value to that old pin, only
that kind, good woman gave it to your
mother to keep for you, and 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 we've born, and we
never heard more of her. Yesterday, how
ever got a letter from long distance,
asking about that very pin, and even to
the name on the back. 1t is very valuable,
Mabel"
My heart was beating ten strokes where
il 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 overpow ering surprise,
and what with fear of my fathers anger, |
tainted. When l came to myself on the
sofa in the parlor, the children were there,
and it was too late to go to church. felt
bewildered, and trembled yet, but listener
attentively to my latheras he read the inn
portant letter from London, then l sprang
up wildly.
"Oh, father, father, 90 down to the Black
Horse l exclaimed. 1.-The peddler is there,
aud he has my PIN
My fathers first thought was that the
good fortune had turned my brain. ex-
planned all TO him. lie was very sind, new
or scolded me; but rs to finding the pin
and the peddler, he knew more oftho world
than his foolish child, and was not so hope
fu.
However, he thought it best to 60, and
for me TO so with him. So in few min
utes we were walking down TO Black Horse.
The landlord was sitting alone in his front
porch, smoking quietly. lie looked sur
prlsed when we walked up the Stops, but
very politely invited MS to walk into the
paror, explaining that his womon folks
had gone to church.
as there peddler staying with you, Mr..
Ford?' began my father.
"A peddler ?-no," exclaimed the land
lord, rs If the question vexed him. 81
have not seen 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 hint again. Mr.. Ford wanted me TO
take II cordial. My father turned il off,
saying | was tired. Then he said had
"'""V l't'e paiSalh WIN apeuuler the day
before, and that he wished TO settle with
him.
MY father gave up all hope at once; but
| could not believe that my fortune was
gone. lie tried to comfort me, saying l
was just as weil oil as before, and had a
new dress into the bargain. How hated
the thought of my beautiful merlrol
Ia nf rn IN