The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1872-12-21

street.
The gas was burning dimly in
fashionable jewelry establishment,
and the bland proprietor looked
down inquiringly on little Ross as
he timidly approached the. blazing
counter.
ssWould 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 lapi-
Diary took the gems, examined them
closely, looking at the child.
"See here" he said, presently,
his voice stern and commanding, II
want to know how you come by
tMs?"
The boy clear eye fell; he blushed
and stammered evidently embar-
rassed The jeweler put aside the
emeralds, and taking hold of the
lads arm led him into a small ante
room.
You are q thief, SIR" he said,
'sthat necklace belongs to Mr.. Fon-
tenary-he bought it of me not a
month ago. You stole it. You are
a thief"
The little fellow Strengthened
himself out and his eyes fairly
blazed- V
II am not thief" he retorted.
II did not steal that necklace
kind little girl gave it to me- I
know it was wrong to take it-but
-but-my mother and sister are
starving!'
The ieweler hesitated
s'You don't look like thief; but
I will send for Mr.. Fontenary; that
will settle the matter at once"
He dispatched messenger ac-
cordingly, and Ross sat down in
the corner and sobbed bitterly as he
heard the driving winds, and
thought of his poor mother and lit
tie Flora. In half an hour Mr.. Fon-
tenary came bringing his little
daughter Pansie with him. The
little creature darted in like hum
ming bird, her cheeks ablaze, her
eyes flashing like lightning.
s.He didn't steal my emeralds!'
she cried, Il gave them to him to
sell and buy bread for his sister"
Ross sprang to his feet, strug-
Cling hard to keep back his big
tears. He put out his little hand
which Pansie instantly clasped in
both her chubby palms.
II am not q thief, sir" he said at
last addressing Mr.. Fontenary; II
never stole anything in my life. I
knew it was wrong to take the neck
lace, but-but-sir, my little sister
| is sick and starving
1 The merchant drew his hands
across his eyes.
| 'You're manly little fellow he
said, patting the lads head, ''and I
do not in the least blame you, but
we will take back Pansie's emeralds
and she shall give you something
more available. Here, Pansie, give
this to your little friend.
He put the gold piece into Pan
sizes hand which she rendered to
Ross, with the injunction that he
should run straight home and buy
lots of goodies for his sister; com
mand he was not slow to obey.
Il II think well not lose sight Of
the little fellow said Mr.. Fonte-
nary; as Ross disappeared in the
gloomy darkness; ''shall we pet. He
is promising young lad and an
honest one I'm sure. Mr.. Lenox
you're in need of an errend boy
why not try hims I wish you
, would" A
: The jeweler consented, to Pan
sizes great delight, and on the fol
. lowing day Ross was established as
errand boy in that fashionable es
: tablishment.
Fifteen years after, one blushine
: March morning, q young man sal
behind the counter of thriving
: iewelry establishment in one of the
{ Northern cities He was a hand
9 some man, q scholar and a traveller
e man of taste, of intellect, and O
money, for he was a partner in tn
:, firm which was prosperous one
q But despite all this good fortune
q Ross Dunbar was not happy. Hi
/ mother and little Flora had gon
IS to their long home and he was vi
:. terly alone, without kith OF kin i
the wide world.
Sitting alone that morning, wit
g the roar of the March winds in hi
81 ears, his thoughts were runnin
le back to the days of his boyhoo
and to his mothers humble hom,
1t How vivid the past seemed, an
70 how dear and sacred, despite il
x privations and sorrows. His eye
i grew dim and his heart swellet
All were gone away over the wid
s. waters of time and change.
re A tender smile softened his sa
g. face as he recalled that storm
3 night when he sat on the steps /,
t, Mr.. Fontenarys mansion-and Ii
tie Pansie, taking pity on him dro
I'd ped her string of emeralds. Da
Ks ling little Pansie, the remembran,
ut of that sweet face, as he saw
OF through the snow-wreaths tn
's night haunted him constantly.
the long fifteen years, never for OF
to hour had he forgotten her. b,
ls; she was gone; lost to him foreve
His reverie was broken by Il
a entrance of q customer, lai
n closely cloaked and vailed 81
OF approached the counter with ie,