Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-05-10

watching wistfully for his return h'
could not 60 back and see them starve
With sudden feeling of desperation
be thrust the glittering necklace in hi;
bosom aud dashed rapidly down the cold
and dreary street.
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in a
fashionable jewelry establishment, and
its bland proprietor looked down inquir
ingly on Ross, as he approached the gilt
tering counter.
Would you like to buy this, sirH"
There was tremor in the boy voice
as he asked the question, and the nand
that held up the emerald necklace shook
visibly. The lapidary took the gen
examined them closely for m9ueni
and then shot sharp glance at the
child.
"See here, sir" he said presently, his
voice stern and commanding, 81 want
to know how you came by this p
The boys clear eyes fell, he blush 4
and stammered, evidently embarrs' d.
The jeweler put aside the emera IS and
taking the lads arm, led him into an
ante-room.
You are a thief. sir ?" he said
"That necklace belongs to Mr.. Fonte-
nay; he bought it of me one month ago.
You stole it, You are thief"
The little fellow Strengthened himself
and his brown eyes blazed.
81 am not thief, STRIP he retorted.
81 didn't steal that necklace-a kind
little girl gave it to me, and | know it
was wrong to take it, t-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 according
ly and Ross sat down in one corner, and
sobbed bitterly, as he heard the driving
winds, and thought of his mother and
poor hungry little Flora. In half an
hour Mr.. Fontenay came, bringing his
daughter, little Pansis, with him. The
little creature darted in like humming-
bird, her cheeks ablaze, and her blue
eyes flashing lightning.
" He didn't steal my emeralds p she
cried, /" gave 'em to him to sell 'em and
buy bread for his little sister"
Ross rose to his feet struggling hard to
keep back his tears. He put out his lit
tie brown hand, which Pansie instantly
clasped in both her chubby hands.
" I'm not thief SIR he said, at last.
addressing Mr.. Fontenay; 81 never
stole in my life. l know it was wrong
to take the necklace, but-but-sir, my
little sister is sick, and she's starving"
The merchant drew his hand 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 II take
back Pansie.s emeralds, and she shall
give you something more available
Here, Pansie, give this to your little
friend"
He put ia gold piece into Pansie's hand,
which she rendered to Ross, with the in
junction that he should run straight
home, and buy lots o goodies for his sis
ter; command which he was not slow
to obey.
/" 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 we
can do to help him; he's promising lad,
and an honest one, I'm sure. "Mr. Len.
nox, you re in need of an errand boy,
why not try him? / wish you would I"
The jeweler consented, to Pansie's
great delight, and on the following day
Ross was duly established as an errand
boy in the fashionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning, young man sat behind
the counter of thriving jewelry estab-
lishment in one of the northern cities.
He was handsome man, a scholar and
a traveller, man of taste, intellect and
money, for he was junior partner in the
firm, which was prosperous one. But
despite all this good fortune, Ross Dun
bar was not happy. His mother and
little Flora had gone to their long home,
and he was utterly alone without kith or
kin in the world.
Sitting alone that morning, with the
roar of the March wind in his ears. his
thoughts went running back to the days
Of his boyhooc-to his mothers humble
home. How vivid the past seemed and
how dear and sacred, despite its priva-
tons and SORROWS. His eyes grew dim. |
and his heart swelled. All were gone
over the wide waters of time and change. |
A tender smile softened his sad face as
he recalled that stormy night, when he
sat sobbing on the steps of Mr.. Fonte-
nays mansion, and little Ransie's taking