Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-06-21

away up IN the bleak attic OF wretch
ed tenement house, pale, sad eyeC
woman sat sewing. The garment upor
which she was engaged was very ricf
dress. The twilight closed in rapidly
binding fall OF snow, bitter, wall
ing blast, that made the windows rat
tie in their easements. Still the pale
faced woman stitched on.
Mother" piped/a slender voice
from the cot beneath the window
shall you ge. the fine dress done
Oh, my mother, I'm so hungry, if
could only have some tea and bit OF
sausage"
The mother worked on steadily for a
few moments, paused only to brush a
tear from her white check, then she
arose and shook out the glimmering
robe.
'Tis done at last" she said; now
mothers little girl can have her supper,
only be patient little longer, Flora.
Ross, Ross, where are you my boyi'
A manly little fellow come out from
the little bedroom beyond.
The dress is done, Ross, said his
mother, . and you must run home with
it as fast as ever you can. Miss Gracia
will be out of patience, | know. Tell
her couldn't finish it one moment
sooner, and ask her to give you the
money. We must have it tonight.
And you can stop 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"
I'll get 'em all mother" he said,
and be back In no time. You shall
have big sausage, little sis, he ad-
ded, turning toward the cot.
The girl nodded her curly head, and
her great wistful eyes sparkled with de-
light
And you shall have half of it,
Ross, she piped, in her slender. bird
voice.
Hadn't you better put on your thick
jacket, my boy?" continued his mother;
" the wind cuts like knife"
Pshaw, little mother; Idon't mind
the wind" And away he went down
the creaking stairs, and out in the
storm. Miss Gracia Fontenay was in
perfect furore of impatience and anger.
Her dear five hundred friends were as
sembled in the halls below, and the
handsome dress had not come home.
What did that beggar woman mean
by Disappointing her? At that mo-
ment there was ring at the door, and
avOice in the hall.
|. " Please tell Miss Gracia my mother
could not finish it sooner; she wants
the money tonight" ;" The servant
took the handsome dress and message.
Eli never give her another stitch
of work, cried the angry beauty; Il
ought to have had it three hours ago.
Here, Fanchon, and dress me at once,
there not moment to lose! No,
can't pay tonight, [ havn'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, Fancbonr' COM
manded Miss Gracia. And the door
was closed in his face.
From the porch at the parlor window
Pansie watched the whole scene, her
violet eyes distended with childish |
/
. Poor little boy" she said, as Ross
disappeared down the stairway, Sis
ter Oracle ought to pay him. 1t must
be dreadful to have no fire and moth
ing to eat.
She stood for moment, balancing
herself ON the tip of one. dainty foot, !
her rosebud face grave and reflective
then sudden thought flooded her blue |
evey with sunshine, and snatching
from the table, she started |
down stairs. The servant had just |
closed the street door, but she futter-
ed past him like humming-bird and |
opened it.
On the steps sat Ross, brave little
fellow that he was, his face in his
hands, sobbing as if his heart would |
break.
What's the matter, little boy?"
questioned Pansie.
Ross looked up half believing
that it was the face of an angel look
ing down upon him through the whirl-
ing snow.
30, l cannot go home without the
he sobbed; poor mother
worked hard and Flora is sick and
SO hungry"
Pansies eyes glistened like stars.
Here, she said, do you take this,
little boy, and buy her lots O. nice
things. Tis worth great deal; papa
bought it for my birthday present, but
do you take it and welcome.
She extended her dimpled hands.
and something like a shower of falling
stars tinkled to the boys feet. He
caught it up il amaze-a necklace of
emeralds lustrous, cleaning things,
set in tawny Indian gold.
No, no, he cried, running up to
where she stood, 4 can't take this
it back"
But Pansie SHOOK her curly head
" You shall take it she commanded
I've lots of jewelry and
inc things-run home now and buy
rour sister something to eat.
She closed the door with a bang, and
Ross stood irresolute in the stormy
doom. Should he ring the bell and
'eturn the jewels to Pansie's father, or
hould he do as she had bid him? He
hought of his mother and poor hungry +
title Flora watching wistfully for his
etdrn He could not go back and see
hem starve. With sudden feelings of
he thrust the glittering
lecklace in his bosom and dashed down
he snowy street.
The gas-light blazed brilliantly in a
jewelry establishment and
is bland proprietor looked down in
Iuiringly en- little Ross as he approach
d the glittering counter.
Would you like to buy this, sir 2"
There was a tremor in the boys
-oice as he asked the question, and the
land that held up the emerald neck
ace shook visibly. The lapidary took
he gems, examined them closely for a
and then shot sharp glance
t the child.
See here" he said presently his
-oice stern and commanding, | want
o know how you came by this ?"
The boys clear eyes fell, he blushed
nd stammered, evidently embarrassed.
rhe ieveler mt aside the emeralds