The Placer herald., 1872-08-31


"See here" he said. presently. his voice
stern and commanding, "l want to know
how you came by this?"
The boys clear blue eyes fell he blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed. The
jeweler put aside the emeralls, and taking
the lads arm, led him into small ante
room.
"You are a thief, sir" he said "Tln'
: necklace belongs to Mr.. Frontenav-he
bought it of me not one month ago. You
stole it. You are thief"
l. The little fellow Strengthened himself and
his blue eyes blazed Il am not thief,
! he retorted. Il didn't steal that necklace
a kind little girl gave it to me, and l knew
it was wrong to take it, but--but-my
mother and sister are starving
The ewcler hesiated. You don't look
like a thief" he said, "but will send for
Mr.. Frontenay, that will settle the matter at
once. :"
He accordingly dispatched messenger
for Mr. Frontenay ard 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.. From
tenay came bringing his daughter. Pansie,
with him. The little creature dar'ed into
the store, her cheeks ablaze, her eys flashing
lightning. "He didn't steal my emeralds,
she cried ''I gave em to him to sell em
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 inst ntly clasped
in both her chubby palms.
81 am not thief, sir," ne said addressing
Mr.. Frontenay; :" | 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 are manly little fellow" ="
said he, patting the lads head, "and | do
not in the least blame yon, but we will take
back Pansie's emeralds, and she will give
you something more available. Here Panse,
give this TO your little friend.
He put gold piece into Pansie's hand,
which she handed 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.
81 think we will not loose sight of the
little fellow" continued Mr.. Frontenay, as
Ross disappeared in the stormy darkness,
"shall we, pet? Let's see what we can do
to help him? He is promising young lad,
and AN honest one | am sure. Mr.. Lenox,
YOU are in need of an errand boy, why not
try him? | wish you would.
The ieweer consented to Pansie's great
delight, and on the following day, Ross was
duly established as errand boy in the fash
onable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering March
morning, a young man sat behind the counter
of thriving jewellery establishment in one Of
the Northern cities. He was Il handsome
man, a scholar and traveller, man of taste,
intellect and money, for he was junior part
ner in the firm, which was a 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
wide world Sitting alone that morning
with the roar of the March winds in his ears,
his thoughts were running back to the days
of his boyhood, to his mother humble home.
How vivid the past seemed, and how dear
and sacred, despite its privations and sor-
rows. His eyes grew dim and his heart
swelled. Ali were gone over the wide
waters of time and change.
A tender smile soltcned lis sad face as he
recalled that stormy night, when he sal
sobbing on the steps of Mr.. Frontenay's
mansion and little Pansie taking pity on him,
and dropping her string of emeralds. Darling
little Panse, the remembrance Of her sweet
face as he saw it through the snow wrealhs
that night, haunted him constantly. In all
those fifteen years, never for one hour had
he forgotten her. But she was gone; lost
to him forever.
His revere was broken py the entrance of
customer, a lady closely veiled and coaked
She approached the counter with jewel
case IN her hand. "Would you buy these,
sir?" she simply asked in a clear, sweet
voice that stirred the young mans heart as
no other womans voice had power to do.
lie took the casket, uncosed it and spread
out its contents. A watch, elegant and
costly, diamond ring, one or two rubies
and an emerald necklace. Ross Dunbar
barely suppressed cry of surprise as his
eyes fell upon it. He turned it over with
eager, trembling fingers, and there on the
clasp was the name that had lived in his
heart for so many long years; Little Pan
SIZE
"You wish to sell them a?" he asked,
striving to steady his voice and the wild
throbbing of his heart.
The lady hesitated an instant; then she
put out a slender hand and drew the cmer-
aids toward her 81 dislike to part with
these" she said, sit was my fathers gift
and-and-but no matter, take them all;
| must have the money
In her eagerness she had thrown aside her
veil, revealing lily face lit up by lustrous
sapphire eyes. Ross Dunbar stood silent
moment, every nerve in his manly form
thrilling with supreme delight. He had
found her at last, the one idol of his life.
"They are very fine gems" he said,
| after a moment. nand | am willing to give