The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1873-06-18


on the tip of one dainty foot, her rosebud face
grave and reflective then sudden thought
flooded her blue eyes with sunshine, and
snatchipg something from the table she dart
ed downstairs. The servant had just closed
the street door, but she. fluttered past him like
a humming bird and opened it. a
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 NATTER little fellow p ques-
toned Pansie.
Ross looked up half believing that it was
the face of an angel looking down upon him
through the whirling snow.
6 Oh, cannot go home without the money, !"
he sobbed "poor mother worked so hard,
and Flora is sick and so hungry"
Pansie's eyes glistened like the stars.
Here" she said, edo you take this, little
boy, and buy her lots O. nice things. IT'S
worth great deal; papa bought it for my
birthday present. but do take it and well
come
She extended her dimpled hands, and some
thing like a shower of stars twinkIsd to the
boys feet. He caught it up in amaze--a
necklace of emeralds, lustrous cleaning
things, set in tawny, Indian gold.
No, no, he Cried running up to where she
stood, 81 can't take this necllace-take it
back"
But Panse shook her curled head.
You shall take it, !" she commanded impe-
riously. 81 have lots of jewelry and fine
things--run home now and buy your sister
something to eat''
| She closed the door with 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? He thought of his mother and poor
hungry little Flora watching wistfully for his
return. lie could not go back and see them
starve. With a sudden feeling of desperation
he thrust the glittering necklace in his pocket
and dashed down the snowy street.
The gas-light blazed brilliantly in FASH
ionabe jewelry establishment, and its bland
proprietor looked down inquiringly on little
Ross as he approached 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
the emerald necklace shook yisibly. The
lapidary took the gems, examined them close
ly for a moment and then shot sharp glance
at the child.
See here" he said presently, his voice
stern and commanding, az want to know how
you came by this?''
The boys clear eyes fell he blushed and
stammered, evidently embarrassed. The
.jeweer put aside the emerads, and taking the
lads arm led him into small ante-room.
.You are thief" sir, he said. sThat
necklace belongs to Mr.. Fontenay--he bought
it of me not a month ago. You stole it you
are thief"
The little fellow Strengthened himself, and
his brown eyes blazed
~ am no thief" he retorted. A kind
little girl gave it to me, and know it was
wrong to take it,-but my mother and sister
are starving"
The jeweler besitated.
You don't look like thief" he said,
"but win send for Mr.. Fontcnay that will
settle the matter at once.
He dispatched messenger accordingly, and
Ross sat down in corner and sobbed bitterly
as he heard the driving winds and thought of
his mother and poor little Flora. In half an
hour Mr.. Fontenay came, bringing little Pan
sic with him. The little creature darted like
a humming bird, her cheeks ablaze, her eyes
flashing like lightning.
:" He didn't steal my emeralds p she cried.
81 gave 'em to him to sell EN-, 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. ...sss,,s
. l am not thief, sir" he said at last, adj
dressing Mr. Fontenay. :" / never stole any
thing in my life. | know it was wrong to
take the necklace-but--but, sir, my little
sister is starving"
eyes.
you're a manly little fellow" he said,
patting the lads head "and | do not in the
least blame you, but will take Pansie's ene-
raids, and she shall give you something more
available Here, Pansie, give this to your
little friend" 4,,sl,.
He put gold piece into Pansie's hands
which she rendered to Ross, with the inunc-
ton that he should run straight home and buy
lots Of goodies for his sister-a command he
was not slow to obey.
G | think we shall not lose sight of the little
fellow" continued Mr.. Fontenay, as Ross
disappeared in the stormy darkness. "Shall
we pet ?'' Let's see what we can do to help
him. He's promising young lad, and an
honest one, Pm sure. Mr.. Lenox you're in
need of an errand boy: why not try him?
wish you would"
The jeweler consented, to Pansie's great de-
light, and on the following day Ross was duly
installed as an errand boy in the fashionable
establishment.
Fifteen years, after one clustering March
morning, ayoung man sat behind the counter
of thriving jewelry establishment in one Of
the Northern cities. He was handsome
man, traveller, a man of taste, intellect and
money, for he was the junior partner Of the
a n