The Van Buren press., 1873-01-14

sudden thought flooded her blue eyes With
sunshine and taking something from the
table she started down the stairs. The
servant had just closed the front door,
but she fluttered past him like a humming
bird and opened it. On the steps sat
Ross, the brave little fellow that was,
sobbing as if his heart would break.
whats the matter, little boy :" ques-
toned Pansie
Ross looked up believing it was the
face Of an angel looking down upon him
through the whirling snowfakes
"Oh, l cannot 60 home without the
money-poor msther worked so hard,
and poor sister Flora is sick and so han
gry," he sobbsd pitifully.
Psnsies eyes glistsnsd With tears.
"Here, j" she said, ado you take this
and buy her lots Of nice things. 'Tis
worth good deal, papa bought it for
my birthday present. but do you take it
in welcome.
She extended her tiny hand and some
thing like shower Of sparks tiukled to
the boys feet. he caught it up in amaze
a necklace OF cmsralds, lustreus CLEAN
ing things set in tswny Indian gold
mo, nor' he cried, running up to
where she stood; / can't take this, take
it back. "
But Pansie shook her curly head.
"You shall take it, she commanded
imperiously. live got lots of jswslry
and fins things-run home new and buy
your sister something to eat. "
She closed the door with bang, and
Ross stood irreselute in the stormy night.
Should he ring the bell and return the
Ijewelry to Pansie's father. or should he
do as she bid him. He thought Of his
mother and poor hungry Flora watching
wistfully for his return He could not
go back and see them starve. With u
sudden feeling of desperation he put the
Jewels In his bosom and dashed dswR the
street.
The pas was blazing brilliantly in a
fashionable jewelry establishment and the
bland proprietor looked down inquiring-
ly on little Ross as he tinidly approach
ed the blazing counter
Would you like to buy this, sir p
There was treinor in the boys vsice
as he asked the question, and the hand
that held up the emerald necklace shock
visibly. The lapidary took the gems, ,ex-
amiAed them closely for moment, aad
then shot a sharp glance at the child.
as See here, he said, presently, his
voice stern and commanding, 81 want
to know how you came by this. V
The boys clear eye fell, he blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed.
The jcweer put aside the emsrads, and
taking hold Of the lads arm lod him in
to small ante-room.
"You are thief, sir. f" he said "thst
necklace belongs to Mr. Fontsnary-he
bought it Of me not a month ago. Ysu
stole it. You are thief.
The little fellow Strengthened himself
up and his eyes fairly blazsd.
81 am not thief" be rstortsd. Il
did not steal the necklnce-a kind little
girl gavs it to me. know it was wrong
to take it-but-but-my mother and
sister are starving.
The jeweler hestated.
You don't look like thief; but
will send for Mr.. Fontenary and that will
settle the matter at once."
He despatched messenger according
ly and Ross sat down in the corner and
sobbed bitterly as he heard the driving
winds, and thought Of his mother and
poor little Flora In half an heur Mr.
Fontenary came, bringing his daughter
Pansie with him. The little creature
darted in like a humming bird, her cheeks
ablaze, her eyes flashing like lightning.
"Ho didn't steal my snIers!ds!" she
cried, ~ gave them to him to sell and
buy bread for his sister.
Ross sprang to his feet struggling
hard to keep back the tears. He put cut
his little hand which Psnsis claspsd In
both her chubby palms.
81 am not a thief, sir;" he said at
last, addressing Mr.. Fontenary. know
it was wrong to take tho necklace, but
but-sir, my little sister is sick and starv-
ing.
The merchant drew his hsad across his
eyes.
You're a manly little fellow" he
said patting the lads head, "aAd do
not in the lsas. blame you, but We will
take back Pansic's omsralds, and she
shall give you something more available.
Here Pan.ie, give this to your little
friend, "
He put a gold piece nts her hand
which sho tendored to Ross with tho in
junction that lie would run straight home
and buy lots Of goodies for his sister, q
command which he was not slow to
obey.
IL think we will not lose sight Of the
little fellow" continued Mr.. Fon,enary
as Ross disappeared in the gloomy dark
ness; shall w. pet2 He'sa promising
young lad and an honest one, I'm sure.
Mr. Lsn0x, you're in need of an crrand
boy. why not try himi wish you
would.
The jevsler consented, to Pansis's
great delight, and on the following dag
Ross WAS established as srrand buy in
that fashion n1ele establishment.
!
Fifteen years after, one blushing
March morning. ayoung man SAT behind
the counter OF a thriving jswelry sstab
lishment in one Of tho northern cities
lie was q handsome man, a scholar and
a traveller, a man Of taste, of intellect and
Of money, for he was partner in the
old firm which was . prosperous one
But despite all this good fortune Ross
Dunbar was not happy. His mother asd
little Flora had gone to their long home,