Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-04-04
THE emerald,

| One wintry afternoon in Januar,
!. away up in the bleak attic of q misera
BILE tenement house, a pale, sad-eye
woman sat sewing. The garment o
which she was working was a very ric
dress. The twilight closed in rapidly
with binding fall of snow, bitter
wailing blast, that made the window
rattle in their easements. Still tn
pale-faced woman sewed on.
"Mother," pined slender voice
from the cot beneath the window
'shaH you get the fine dress done
Oh, my mother, I'm SO hungry. If
could only have some tea and a. bit O
sausage"
The mother worked on steadily TO
few moments, pausing only to brusl
tear from her white cheek. Thel
she arose and shook out the folds o
the glimmering robe.
""Tis done at last" she said ''nov
mothers little girl can have her sup
per. Only be patient Il little longer
Flora. Ross, Ross, where are you
my boy ?"
A manly little boy came out of the
little bedroom beyond.
"The fine dress is done, Ross" saiG
his mother, land you must run home
with it as fast rs you can. Miss Gracie
Will be out of patience, 1 know. Tel
her couldn't finish it an hour sooner,
and ask her to give you the money.
| We must have it tonight. 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 sausage
for poor little Flora
"I'N get them oil, mother, and be
back in no time" he said. "You shall
have q big sausage, little SIS" he ad-
ded, turning toward the cot.
''And you shall have half of it, Ross, ~
she piped, in her slender, Like
voice
Hadn't you better put on your
thick jacket, my boy" continued the
mother, "the wind cuts like knife"
"Pshaw, little mother; don't mind
the wind" And away he went down
the creaking stairs, and out into the
storm.
Miss Grace Fontenay was in a per-
feet furor of excitement and anger
Her dear five hundred friends were
waiting in the halls below, and the
handsome dress had not come home
What did that beggar woman mean by
disappointing her? At that moment
there was a ring at the door, and a
voice in the hall.
''Please tell Miss Oracle, my mother
could not finish it sooner; she wants
the money tonight" The servant
took the handsome dress and message
'11l never give her another stitch of
work, ," cried the angry beauty; II
ought to have had it three hours ago.
Here, Fanchon, dress me ut once; there
isn't moment to spare. No, L can't
pay tonight; haven't time; he must
call tomorrow.
''But we've no fire, and nothing to
eat, and my little sister is sick, "
called the boy, pushing up the grand
stairway.
''Shut that door, commanded Miss
Oracle, and the door was shut in his
face.
From the porch at the parlor win
dow, Pansie watched the whole pro-
ceeding. Her violet eyes opened i'll
childish amazement.
''Poor little boy" she said, as Ross
disappeared down the stairway
''Sister Oracle ought to pay him. 1t
must be dreadful to have no fire, and
nothing to eat.
She stood for Il moment balancing
herslf on the tip of one dainty foot,
her rosebud face grave and reflective :;
then a sudden thought flooded her
blue eyes with sunshine, and suddenly
snatching something from :ne table,
she darted down stairs the servant
had closed the street door, but she
huttered past him.
On the steps sat Ross, brave little
fellow that he was, his face in his
hands, sobbing as if his heart would
break.
whats the matter, little boy ?"
questioned PansD.
60, cannot go home without the
money" he sobbed ''poor mother
worked hard, and Flora is sick, and SO
hungry"
Pansie's eyes glistened like the stars.
"Here," she said, s'do you take this,
little boy, and buy her lots o nice
things. It is worth q great deal papa
bought it for birthday present, but
you can take It and welcome"
She extended her dimpled hand, and
something like shower of falling
stars tinklod at the boys feet. He
caught it up in amazement-a neck
lace of emerald, lustrous, cleaning
things, set in gold.
"No, no" he cried, running up to
where she stood, II can't take this
necklace
But Pansie shook her curly head
decidedly.
"You shall tako it, she commanded
imperiously. I've lots of iewelry
and fine things. Run home, now, and
get something to eat for your little
sister,
She closed the door with bang, and
Ross stood -irresolute in the stormy
gloom Should lie ring the bell and
return the Jewels to Pansie's father, or
should he do as she bid him? He
thought of his mother and poor hungry
little Flora watching wistfully fer his
return. He could not go back and see
them starve. With 4 sudden feeling of
desperation, he thrust the glittering
necklace in his bosom ana dashed
down the snowy street.
The gaslisht biazed brilliantly in 4
fashionable jewelry establishment, and
its bland proprietor looked down in
q,1irinSlv on little Ross as he ap-
preached the glittering counter.
Would yoil like to buy this, sir?'
IuCft WAS Il tEtuiour III LiiS tfOF y
voicoas he asked the question, and the
hand that. held the emerald shook visi-
bly,. The lat.dary took the gems and
examined them closely for moment,
and then shot sharp glance at the lad.
.'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 binshed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed
The jeweler put aside the cmeralds,
and taking the lads arm, led him into
q small aute-rOoM.
"You are thief, sir, he said" " ''Th:t
necklace belongs to Mr.. F0ntcnay
bought it of me not more than ii month
ago You stole It. You are thief -
The little fellow Strengthened him
self, and his eyes blazed.
Il am no thief" lie retortcd. "a
kind little girl gave it to me, and
know it was wrong to take it-but-
but-my mother and sister are starv-
ing.
The jeweller hesitated.
"You don't look like thief" he