The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1873-07-23

foot, her rosebud face grave and
reflective; then a sudden thought
flooded her blue eyes with sunshine
and snatching something from the
table, she started down stairs. The
servant had just closed the street
door, but she fiuttercd past him like
a humming-bird and opened it.
On the steps sat Ross, brave lit
tie fellow that he was, his face in
his hands, sobbing as if his heart
would break.
"What's the matter, little boy p
questioned Pansie.
Ross looked up half believing
that it was the face of an angel
looking down upon him through the
whirling snow.
30, [ cannot go home without
the money!" he sobbed; poor
mother worked hard and Flora is
sick and so hungry
Paffsie's eyes glistened like stars.
'Here;@ she said, "do you take
this, little boy, and buy her lots OF
nice things. 'Tis worth a great
deal papa bought it for my birth
day present, but do you take it and
welcome"
She extended her dimpled hands,
and something like shower of fall
ing stars tinkled to the boys feet.
He caught it up in amaze-a neck
lace of emeralds lustrous, cleaning
things, set in tawny Indian gold.
mo. no." he cried, running up to
where she stood, Il can't take this
necklace-take it back
But Pansie shook her curly head.
you shall take it. she commanded
imperiously. ''Ive lots of jewelry
and fine things-run home now and
buy your sister something to eat
She closed the door with a bang.
and Ross stood irresolute in the
stormy gloom. Should he ring the
bell and return the jewels to Pan
sizes father, or should he do as she
had bid him? lie thought of his
mother and poor hungry little Flora
watching wistfully for his return.
lie could not go back and see them
starye. With sudden feelings of
desperation, lie thrust the glittering
necklace, in his bosom and dashed
down the snowy street.
The gas-light blazed brilliantly in
a fashionable jewelry establishment,
and its bland proprietorlooked down
inquiringly on little Ross as he ap-
preached the glittering counter.
"Would you like to buy this, sir?'
There was tremor in the boys
voice as he asked the question, and
the hand that held up the emerald
necklace shook visibly. The lapida-
ry took the gems, examined them
closely for moment, and then shot
a sharp glance at the child.
"See here" he said presently his
voice stern and commanding, Il
want to know how you came by
this %
The boys clear eyes fell, he blush
ed and stammered. evidently embar-
rassed. The jeweler put aside the
emeralds, and taking the lads arm,
led him into small ante-room.
"You are thief. sir,'' he added.
That necklace belongs to Mr.. Fon-
tenay-he bought it of me not one
month ago. You stole it. You are
a thief
The little fellow Strengthened him
self and his brown eyes blazed:
Il am no thief" he retorted. "a
kind little girl gave it to me, and I
know it was wrong for me to take
it, but-but-my mother and sister
are starving
The jeweler hesitated.
You don't look like a thief" he
said, ''but will send for Mr.. Fonte-
nay, that will settle the matter at
once"
He dispatched a messenger accord
ingly and Ross sat down in one cor
ner, and sobbed bitterly as he heard
the driving winds and thought of his
mother and poor little Flora. In
half ali hour Mr.. Fontenay came,
bringing his daughter, little Pansie,
with him. The little creature dart
ed like humming bird, her cheeks
ablaze, her eyes flashed like light
ening.
"de didn't steal my emeralds r
she cried. Il gave 'em to him to
sell 'em and buy bread for his little
sister,
Ross sprang to his feet, strug-
Cling hard to keep back his tears.
He put out his little brown hand
which Pansie instantly clasped in
her chubby palms.
Il am not thief, sir" he said at
last, addressing MIR Fontenay land
never stole anything in my life l
know it was wrong to take the neck
lace-but-but, sir, my little sister
is starving"
The merchant drew his hand across