Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-06-05
Little Pansic's Emeralds.

VI
in the bleak attic Of a wretched tenement
house, a pale, sad-eyed woman sat sewing.
The garment upon which she was engaged
was very rich aud costly, being handsome
party dress The twilight closed in rapidly
with binding fall Of snow, and bitter
wailing blast, that made the windows rattle
in their easements Still the sad faced wo.
man stitched on.
Mother piped slender voice from be-
meath the window, shall you get the fine
dress done U mother I'm so hungry. if |
could only have some tea, and bit Of sau.
sage"
The mother worked steadily on for a few
moments, pausiug only to brush tear from
her white cheek, then she arose, and shooI
out the glittering robe.
"Tis done at last" she said "now moth
er's poor little girl can have her supper, only
be patient little longer, Flora. Ross, Ros,
where are you my boy ?"
A manly little fellow came out from the
little bedroom beyond.
The fne dress is done, Ross" said hi.
mother, "and you must run home with il as
fast as ever you can. Miss Garcia will be
out Of patience, know. Tell her 1 couldn't
finish it one momen, sooner, and ask her to
give you the money. We must have it to-
night. And you can stop in at Mr.. Rays
as you come back and buy some coal, and we
must have some bread, and tea, and mite OF
butter, and you must get a sausage, Ross, for
poor little Flora"
"Ill get 'em all mother" he said, "and be
back in no time. You shall have big saus.
age, little sis," he added, turning towards the
cot.
The little girl nodded her curly head, and
her great wistfu eyes sparkled with delight.
&" And you shall have half of it, koss,' she
piped. in her slender bird voice.
4" Hadn't you better put on your thick jack
ct my boy ?" continued his mother "the winC
cuts like aknife."
"Pshaw, little mother don't mind tn,
wind" And away he went, down the creak
ing flight of stairs, aud out 10 the storm.
In her splendid mansion on Fifth Avenue
Miss Garcia Fronenay was in perfect furo
of impatience and anger. Her dear FIVE hund
red friends were assembling in the halls below
and her handsome dress had not come home
What did that beggar woman mean by disap
ring at the door, and voice in the hall.
"Please tell Miss Garcia my mother coult
not finish it sooner, and she wants the none,
tonight"
The servant took up the handsome dres
aud message.
lllneyer give her another stitch Of work,
cried the angry beauty | ought TO have haC
it three hours ago Here Fanchon, come and
dress me at once, there's not moment to lose
No, can't pay tonight, haven't time. H(
must call tomorrow"
But we've no FIRE and nothing to eat, and
my little sister is sick" called the boy, push
ing up the grand stairway.
shut that door, Fanchon!" commanded
Miss Garcia. And the door was closed in hii
face.
From the perch at the parlor window, little
Pausie watched the whole scene, her violet
eyes distended with childish amazement. "Pooi
little boy" she said as Ross disappeared
down the stairway, "sister Garcia ought tc
pay him. 1t must be dreadful to have no FIR,
and nothing to eat
She stood for a moment, balancing herself
on the tip of one dainty foot, her rosebud face
grave and effective; then a sudden thought
flooded her blue eyes with sunshine, and snatch.
ing something from the table, she darted down
stairs. The servant had Just closed the street
door, but she nuttered past him like hum.
ming bird and opened it. Ca the steps sa,
Ross, brave little fellow that he was, his face
in his hands, sobbing as if his heart would
break
whats the matter, little boy ?" question.
cd Pansie.
Ross looked up. half beieveng that the
face of an angel looked down upon him through
the whirling snowHakes.
40, can't 20 home without the money
he sobbed "poor mother worked hard and lii.
tie Flora is sick, and so hungry"
Pansie's ewes glittered like stars.
Here" she said do you take this, little
boy, and buy her lots O. nice things. 'Ti'
worth great deal papa bought it for my
birthday present, but do you take it and wei.
come"
She extended her dimpled hands aud some.
thing like a shower of falling stars tinklcd tc
the boys feet. He caught il up in a maze =
a necklace of emeralds, lustrous, cleaning
things set in tawny Indian gold.
mo, no !" he cried running up to whcr,
she stood can't take this, take il back"
But Pansie shook her curly head.
You shall take IT," she commanded i'm
periously. "Ive lots o jewels and 6no thing,
run home now, and buy your sister some.
thing nice TO eatp
She closed the door with bang, and Ros.
stood irresolute 10 the stormy gloom. Should
he ring the bell, and return the jewels to Paa.
sizes father, or should he do as she had bid
him =? He thought of his mother. and poor
hungry little Flora watching wistfully for bis
return. lle could not 90 hack aud see them
starve. With a sudden feeling of desperation,
ne thrust the gittering necklace 10 his bosom,