Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-05-20
JOE E.IlcAL
M4seELLAHEs Esus.
TIE EMERALDs.

TIE EMERALDS.
SMNE wintry afternoon in January, away up
~ in the bleak attic of wretched tenement
house, pale, sad eyed woman sat sewing.-
The garment upon which she was engaged
was a very rich dress. The twilightFclosed in
rapidly. with a binding fall Of snow, bitter
wailing blast, that made the windows rattle in
their easements. Still the pale faced woman
stitched on
"Mother," piped slender voice from the
cot beneath the window, ''shall you get the
fine dress done? Oh my mother, I'm so
hungry, if could only have some tea and a
bit of sausage"
The mother worked on steadily for few
moments, paused only to brush tear from
her white cheek, then she arose and shook out
the glimmering robe.
little girl can have her supper, only be patient
! little longer, Flora. Ross, Ross, where are
you my boy!'
"Ihe fine dress is done, Ross," said his
mother, "and you must run home with it as
fast as you can. Miss Gracia will be out Of
patience, know. Tell her couldn't finish
1t one moment 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, Ross, for poor little
Flora"
"I'll get 'em al! mother" he said .sand be
back in no time. You shall have big sau.
sage, little sis, +" he added, turning toward the
cot.
The girl nodded her curly head, and her
great wistful eyes sparkled with delight.
AM ob,T Ln,,o l.. = u 81
piped, in her slender, bird voice
Hadn'tyou better put on your thick Jacket
ny boy = continued his mother; "the wind
cuts like knife"
"Pshaw, little mother; I don't mind the
wind" r And way he went down the creak-
irg stairs, and out in the storm. Miss Gracia
Fontenay was in perfect Juror of impa>
tiencc and anger. Her dear i've hundred
friends were assembled in the halls below and
her handsome dress had not come home
What did that begcar woman mean by disap>
pointing her? at that moment there was a
ring at the door, and voice in the hall.
"Please tell Miss Gracia, my mother could
not finish it sooner she wants the money to.
night" The servant took the handsome
dress and message.
"Pu never give her another stitch of work.
cried the angry beauty; I ought to have had
it three hours ago. Here Fanchou, and dress
me at once, there's net moment to lose
No, can't pay to night, haven't time. He
must call Tomorrow"
"But we've no fire and nothing to eat, and
my sister is sick" called the boy pushing up
the grand stairway.
'Shut that door, Fanchon ]" commanded
Miss Gracia. And the door was closed in his
face.
From the porch at the parlor window,
Pansic watched the whole scene, her violet
eyes distended with childish amusement.
Poor little boy" she said, as Ross disap-
peared down the stairway, "Sister Gracia
ought to pay him. 1t must be dreadful to
have no fire and nothing to eat"
She stood for a moment, balancing herself
on the tip of one dainty foot, her rosebud
face, grave and reflective then sudden
thought flooded her blue eyes with sunshine
and snatching something from The table. she
started down stairs. The servant had lust
closed the street door, but she tluttered by
him like humming bird aud opened Il.
On the steps sat Ross, brave little fellow
that he was, his face in hi shands, sobbng as
if his heart would break.
"What's the matter, little boy?" questioned
Pansie.
Ross looked up, half believing that it vas
the face Of an angel looking down upon him
through the whirling snow
SO, [ cannot go home without the money"
he sobbed; "poor mother worked hard and
Flora is sick and so hungry
Pansie's eyes glisteDed like stars.
s'Here," she said, 'do take this, little bov,
and buy her lots of nice things. 'Tis worth
great deal; papa bought it for birthday
present, but do you take it and welcome"
She extended her dimpIed hands, aad some.
thing like shower of falling stars twiDkled at
| the boys feet. He caught it up in amaze-
necklace of emeralds, lustrous cleaning
things, set in tawny Indian gold.
.'No no, he cried, running up to where
she stood. IL can't take this iecklace-take
it back"
But Pansie shook her curly head
"You shall take it," she commanded inn
periously. "I've 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
Pansfe's father, or should he do as she had
bid him? He thought of his mother and
poor hungry little Flora watching wishful for
his return. lie could not go back and see
them starve.
With sudden feeling of desperation, he
thrust the gittering necklace in his bosom
and dashed down the snowy street.
The gas light blazed brilliantly in fashion,
able jewelry establishment, and its bland pro.
prietor looked down inquiringly on little Ross
as be approached the glittering counter.
'sWould 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
: lapidary took the gems, examined them closely