The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1872-08-23

hIldltlucnt. OOT lltllt poyj shN
said, as Ross disappeared down the
stairway, "sister Garcia ought to pay
him. II must be dreadful TO have no
fire and nothing to eat"
She stood for moment, balancing
herself on the tip of one dainty loot
her rose. bud face grave and reflective
then a sudden thought flooded hei
blue eyes with sunshine, and snatching
something from the table, she darteo
down stairs. The servant had just
closed the street door, but she tiuItered
past him like humming bird and
opened il. On the steps sat Ross, brave
little fellow that he was, his face IN his
hands, sobbing as if his heart would
break.
"What's the matter, little boy?" ques
toned Pansie.
Ross looked up, half believing that il
was the face of an angel looking down
upon him through the whirling snow
| flakes.
80, cannot 90 home without the
money!" he sobbed; "poor mother work
ed hard, and little Flora is sick and sc
hungry"
Pansie's eyes glistened like stars.
"Here," she said, 'do you take this
little boy, and buy her lots o nice
things, IT'S worth great deal; papa
bought it for my birthday present, but
do you take it and welcome"
She extended her dimpled hands
and something like shower OF falling
stars tinkled to the boys feet. He
caught it up in maze-a necklace oil
emeralds, lustrous, cleaning thing set
in tawny Indian gold.
"No, nor' he cried, running up to
where she stood; 81 dan't take this, take
it back"
But Pansie shook her curly head.
"You shall take it, she commanded
imperiously. give lots o. .jewelry and
fine things-run home now and buy
your sister something nice to eat"
She closed the door with bang, and
Ross stood irresolute in the stormy
gloom. Should he ring the bell and re-
turn the Jewels to Pansie's father, or
should he do as she had bid him He
thought of his mother and poor hungry
little Flora watching wistfully for his
return. He could not 60 back and see
them starve. With sudden feeling of
desperation, he thrust the glitteling
necklace in his bosom, and dashed
down the snowy street.
The gas light blazed brilliantly in a
fashionable jewelry establishment, and
its bland proprietor looked down inqur.
ingly on little Ross, as he approached
the elittering counter.
Would you like to buy this, sir ?"
There was a tremor in the boys voice
as he asked the question, and the hand
that held up the emerald necklace
shook visibly. The lapidary took the
gems, examined them closely for a mo-
ment, and then shot a sharp glance at
the child.
"See here" he said, presently, his
voice stern and commanding, 81 want
to know how you came by this?'
The boys clear eyes fell, he blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed
The jeweler put aside the emeralds,
and taking the lads arm, led him into
a small ante-room.
"You are thief, sir, he said "That
necklace belongs TO Mr.. Fontenay--he
bought it of me not one month ago.
The little fellow Strengthened him.
self, and his brown eyes blazed.
81 am not thief" he retorted. 81
didn't steal that necklace kind little
girl gave it to me, and | know it was
wrong to take it, but-but-my mother
and sister are starving"
The jeweler hesitated.
"You don't look like thief he said,
"but | will send for Mr.. Fontenay; that
will settle the matter at once
He dispatched messenger accord
ingly, and Ross sat down in one corner,
and sobbed bitterly, as he heard the
driving winds, and thought of his
mother and poor little Flora. In half
an hour Mr.. Fontenay came, bringing
his daughter, little Pansie, with him.
The little creature darted in like a
humming. bird, her cheeks ablaze, her
eyes flashing lightning.
"He didn't steal my emeralds - she
cried. 81 gave em to him to sell EN-
and buy bread for his little sister,"
Ross sprang to his feet, struggling
hard to keep back his tears. He put
out his little brown hand, which Pansie
instantly clasped in both her chubby
palms.
IL am not a thief, sir, he said at last,
addressing Mr.. Fontenay;"I never stole
anything in my life. | know it was
wrong to take the necklace, but-but-
sir, my little sister is sick and she is
starving"
The merchant drew his hand across
his eyes.
you're a manly little fellow" he
said, patting the lads head, "and | do
not in the least blame you, but we'll
take back Pansie's emeralds, and she
shall give you something more availa.
bic. Here, Pansie, give this to your
little friend"
He put a gold piece into Pansies
hands, which she rendered to Ross,
with the injunction that he should run
straight home and buy lots of goodies
for his sister; command he was not
slow to obey.
I'll think we'll not lose sight of the
little fellow" continued Mr.. Fontenay,
as Ross disappeared in the stormy dark
ness, ''shall we, pet? Let's see, what
can we do to help him? He's a promis-
ing young lad, and an honest one Pm