Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-05-20

stern auu COMMANDING. - want to know
how You came by this2"
The boys clear eyes fell, he blushed and
stammered, evidently embarrassed The
jeweler put aside the emeralas, and taking
the lads arm, led him into small ante>room.
You are thief, sir" he said. THAT
necklace belongs to Mr.. Foutenay-he bought
t,of me not one month ago. You stole it.
You are thief
The little fellow Strengthened himself and
his brown eyes blazed:
81 am no thief" he retorted ga kind
little girl gave it to me, and L know it was
wrong to take it, t,but-bus-my-mothe and
sister are starving"
The jew&er iIesitated.
You don't look like thief" he said,
but I will send. for Mr.. Fontenay, that will
settle the matter at once"
He dispatched messenger accordingly and
Koss sat down none corner, and sobbed bit>
terly as he heard the driving winds, aud
thought of his mother and poor little Flora
In half an hour Mr.. Fontensy came,; bring
ing his daughter, little Pansie, with him
The little creature darted in like a humming
bird, her cheeks ablaze. her eyes flashing like
fire.
'He didn't steal my emeralds!" she cried
"I gave 'etn 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 instantly clasped
in her chubby palms.
'sl am not a thief. SIR" he said at last, ad.
dressing Mr.. Foutenay;" "I never stole auy-
thing in my life. i know it was wrong to
take the necklace-but-but, sir, my little
sister is starving.
Tho merchant drew his hand across his
eyes.
"You're a manly little fellow" he said,
patting tho lads head, ssand do not in the
least blame you, but will take Pausie's emer>
aids, and she shall give you something more
available. Here, Pansie, gave this to your
little friend.'
He put gold piece into Pansie's hands,
which she rendered to Ross, with the in-
junction that he should run straight home and
buy lots of goodies for his sister-a command
he was not slow to obey.
81 think we will not lose sight of the little
fellow" continued Mr.. Fontenary, as Ross
disappeared in the stormy darkness. s'shall
we, pet? Let's see what We can do to help
him He's promising young lad and an
honest one, I'm sure, Mr.. Lenox, you're in
need of an errand boy, why not try him? I
wish you would"
The jewcer corsentsd, to parsie's great de-
light, and on the following day Ross was duly
inst,lled as an errand boy in the fashionable
establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering Nav
morning, young man sat behind the counter
of thriving jewclry establishment in one of
the Northern cities. He was a handsome
man, scholar and traveller, man of taste.
intellect and money, for he was junior part
ner in the frm, which prosperous one
But despite all this good fortune, Ross Dun>-
bar was not happy. His mother and his lit
tie sister, Flora, had gone to their long home,
and he was utterly alone, without kith or kin
in the wide world.
Sitting alone one morning with the roar of
the March wind in his cars his thoughts were
running back to the days of his boyhood, to
his mothers humble home. How vivid the
past seemed and how dear and sacred despite
its privations 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 Us he
recalled that stormy might when he sat sob
bing on the steps of Mr.. Fontenay's mansion
and little Pansie, the remembrance of her
sweet face, as he saw It through the snow
wreaths that night haunted him certainly.-
In all the fifteen years never for one hour
had he forgotten her. But she was gone
lost to him forever.
His revery was broken by the entrance of
q customer, lady closely cloaked and veiled
She approached the counter with a Jewel case
in her hand.
''Would you huy these 2" she asked simply.
in clear sweet voice that stirred the young
mans heart other woman's voice had
power to do.
He took the casket and unclosed it and
spread out its contents. a watch, elegant
and costly. diamond ring. 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, tremb-
ling fingers and there on the clasp was the
name that lived in his heart for so many long
years. .sLittle Pansie"
s'You wish TO sell them all T" he asked.
striving to steady his voice and the wild
throbbing of his heart.
The lady hestEted an instant then she nut
out slender hand and drew the cmeralds to.
wards her.
II dislike to part with this" she said; sit
was fathers gift-and-but no matter, take
them all l must have the money"
In her eagerness she had thrown aside her
VEIL revealing lily face lit by lustrous sap
phire.eyes. Ross Dunbar stood silent mo,
lirg with supreme delight He had found
her at last, the one idol of his life
"They are very fine gems" he said after
moment, land am willing to give you
fair price--suppose we say one thousand doll
lars. will that do 2"
The girl flashed dazzling glance of sur,
prise from beneath her heavy veil.
$50 much as that 2" she said tremulously.
You are very kind, sir. o, you cannot know
how much this money will help me-"
The young man made polite reply and
proceeded to put aside the jewels to draw
check for the money. The March winds
were still clustering without, and the girl shiv>
cred and drew her wrapper closer as she star
ted out