The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-03-19

aunt, at her marriage, had been a gay,
PLAID woolen shawl. This, of course, had
thrown into the shade the good Bay State
OF solld colors that had heretofore served
all purposes of warmth and beauty. Why
not part with this last? 1t was not a ne
eesslty, and the ruby vase tempting her,
was fast becoming ene She went for the
shawl.
Though, of course, shall get more
Ihan the vase for 1t, she thought.
But the willy tradesman balanced il on
MS hand, held it up TO the light suspiei-
ously, and finally said: "Well, lady, /
may let ye have the Won vase for t6ese
deed" F'
The conclusion of the whole matter of
course, was that the unworthy Jew de-
parted with the shawl safely slowed
away IN his pack, leaving Cassie looking
alter him from the doorway with the COW
eted treasure IN her hand and feeling much
as II she had sold her birth-right. Then
she went into the parlor and tried it
on every part OF the mantle, but some
now 1t did not fill SO large space in real
lty as 1t had Ia imagination, and she went
back dissatisfied. trav5 M .uli lI
At trst she thought she would not tell
Harry; but be noticed the little cloud,
and soon ELECTED the whole story. "Let
me see the bauble," was all his comment.
why, here's crack in the cup Never
trade with peddler, my Cassie, unless your
eyes are wide Open" Then, seeing the
tears start for her disappointment, added,
Never mind the experience is the wise
teacher, after all" -'f-71- zs-s!ss..
1t is wonderful what value lost article
requires Cassie's mother came in the
next day TO assist in covering a lounge.
Alter the tidy chintz ruffle was in place,
the old lady said, "NoW, Cassie, this fills
such cosy corner in your kitchen, that
Harry win be always dropping down up
on it. You had better spread something
over it Where's your old blanket shawl
That's just the thing"
"Where ?" sure enough Cassie didn't
know. She contented herself with saying,
"By-and-by !" but as the old lady was Of
a vigorous disposition, she was obliged to
equivocate. saying she believed it was
there yet; she had left it somewhere, and
the subject was dismissed. But the next
week sister Lottie came over with the
childrea to spend the day, it was in de-
mand again.
Spread your old wooden shawl down,
Cassie; then baby won't hurt his nose Sc
often"
Won't this comfortable do Just as
well ?"
"Why, Cassie Clewes, your new calico
comforter Don't begin housekeeping by
such eztravaganee, or what will you bring
Harry to ?" and the thrifty sister grew
quite eloquent. But Cassie had to do the
best she could again in accounting for the
missing article. ~ -
In the course of the day her sister spied
the new ornament, and viewing it with q
critics eye, "Hoped she did not give many
cents for that sham-cracked, too, so that
it wouldn't hsld water" g-a s ri
The glitter even was coming off her
gold. But the revealing of this base metal |
was yet before her.
Sitting in the sunny kitchen few weeks |
later, when the increasing chill rendered |
the cracking fire need, two ladies called |
upon her.
owe are getting up box to send to a
city missionary for distribution this fros-
ty air makes one think of the peor," |
said Mrs. Morgan, drawing nearer the
stove
"And we knew you would be glad to |
assist, added Mrs. Niles. 1--WE only came |
to tell you our plan to-day. Come to our |
meeting next Friday and bring whatever |
You can spare" lr --7z
"If you only had that shawl, now" |
said Harry, when told of the plan, chow |
warm it would keep some poor body's |
shoulders" Harry did not mean harm Of |
course. He was only q sad blunderer, ]
like some other men, and could not know 1
this was Castles first thought, or the tears
she shed. rr -r. rs..ts-
Friday afternoon came, and Cas-
sic, with bundle, started for the meet |
ing. .I Il
81 thought, perhaps, you would feel
disposed to giYe your old shawl, said her |
sister meeting her at the door 'but you
have not got 1t, see" .a 4aEtla -u a
Mrs. Niles was directories, and read a |
letter from the city missionary who had |
gone from their quiet town, and in whom
all felt an interest, telling of such suffer
ing and want as brought many a tear to |
the eye, closing with the ever solemn |
words, "Inasmuch as we have done it to |
these, ye have done it to me"
Miss Spear will put on the last the |
gifts OF each to be kept. Mrs H. Clewes, |
two aprons and flannel sack. Ahem r. |
called the active directories, and Cassie |
ielt as though she was the lump sticking |
IN the good woman's throat s
"Don't; don't, Cassie" said Harry that |
evening as, after telling her story through |
many tears, the impulsive wife took up |
the unoffending vase, to commit it TO des- !
truction. "This shall be its place. and |
the young husband gently placed it on the |
kitchen mantel over the little tin bank |
they had nailed up for missionary money
at shall stay there, TO teach US both a
lesson, that all gifts are talents for which
we must account to our own conscience
and to our Master anl J..nisz
Years have passed since then. Cassie
no longer sits in the kitchen alone of an
afternoon-but in the family-sitting room
of the tasteful home they now call theirs.
Visitors see a ruby vase standing on a
bracket alone, and under It the tin mis-
sion box, and sometimes IN the twilight
the little ones gather about inamma's
chair to listen to the oft repeated story
of the shawl that was lost, the lesson
won