The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-01-11
THE PECULIAR FATE OF THREE
RINGS.

One night before Christmas not man,
wears ago, two young clerks in Il well
known insurance company stumbled
against one another in muddy street OF
the metropolis.
Halo, Jones'" said one, stout
far-haired, handsome fellow. (which
way"
- Nowhere particularly, Smith," said
the other. slim, black haired, and good
looking. What was your direction ?"
Hadn't any," said Smith, scrap!nc
his heel indu>'riously on the curb stone
though, by-thc-way, had little com.
mission for one of my people in the jew
clry line"
And that reminds me-" said Jones,
"that was to get an article for one of my
folk of that description"
" Hum" said Jones. christmas pres
ent. SUPPOSE"
".ihem yes" said Smith, every
likely"
Then they both looked over each others
shoulders, pulled up their separate coat
collars, nodded, and Smith walked on up
town, while Jones pursued his way in an
opposite direction. He hadn't gone a
block, when he met another of his fellow
clerks. But this time his face frightened
he held out his hand and hailed his COM
rae iocularlv.
!Iailo, Robinson, old boy. glad to see
vou.'
Il was going to Smiths" said Robin
son, who was neither light nor dark
reithcr stout nor slim, handsome nor
ugly.
HUM" said Jones, scowling; 1--WE
Just parted with him. Connected puppy,
that Smith. | tell you what it is, Robin
son, il he don't stop interfering with me,
he'll! come to grief. He's intruding his
attentions where they're not appreciated,
and it won't take much more of this sort
of thing to make me tell him so. lie told
me just now he was in search of an article
of jcwelry for a Christmas present. Now
I've no sort of doubt, Jack, it's for Miss
Sophy May; and can you think of any,
thing much more impertinent than that !:
With the little encouragement he's had,
lis simply monstrOus.'
suppose every man is fool at some
time in his life,'' said Jack.
But, heavens and earth! Robinson,
there's reason in everything. The fellow
hasn't had any show at all. Miss May
has merely been courteous to him-yOu
know what "a pleasant way she has"
Yes" said Jack, ~ KNOW" and
whistlcd melancholy little bar under
his breath.
and I've no douh. he'll 60 and spend
every cent he can raise on some gaudy
trinket.''
II hope not" interrupted Jack, /" for
l want to get up a purse for Higgins this
Christmas. | ought to have been about
it long ago, but didn't really know how
had matters We're in that quarter. Hig-
gins slipped on the ice, you know, some
months ago, and broke his arm and his
collar-bonc. and his sons sick with
rheumatism; little girl there, too-a
hunchback. 1t seems wrong somehow to
have 80 much misery in one place; and
an accident, you know, might happen to
you, or me, or anybody"
"Confound it, Robinson.' said Jones,
a genuine air of regret upon his handsome
face; nothing would give me greater
pleasure than to do a good turn for Hig-
Gins will next month, upon my honor
hut just now it is impossible. The little
money have | must use in a certain
way
u" Well, good might, thcn," said Jack
+" must try elsewhere and he jumped
into car going down town.
Presently in got Smith, and hailed Jack
with enthusiasm.
"Going down town." he said, taking
a seat by Jacks side.
81 was going to your house," said
Jack; but just met J Jones'"
ifumph!' snOrted Smith, ian eyre
gious ass-that Jones! l don't know a
vaincr idiot, or more offensive one.
There's one thing very certain, Robinson
he's about gone to the length of his
rope, and he'll be brought up short pretty
soon. It's simply melancholy the way
that fellow fiattcrs himself. There's a
certain young lady, Il mutual friend Of
ours, Jack, the daughter Of one of our
suppose you mean Miss May ?" said
Jack.
Exactly" said Smith. "Wcll, now,
Jones fances because she's ordinarily
polite to hm-you knew what frank
genial manner she has ~
Yes, know" said Jack, and began
to whistle another melancholy refrain.
- lie fancies all sorts of impertinent
things, and makes sickening spectacle
of himself" ~ -l-tl p
9 Men will do these things" said
Jack.
But, Robinson, think of his having
the audaclty to purchase Christmas pres.
ent LOT her. Tor of course it was for her.
I've n" doubt he'll throw away lot of
money"
g." hope nobody will do that" said
Jack lit might better go to Higgins. -
And then Jack wenton TO tell the wretch.
cd condition in which the poor man was
placed, and his own rather tardy effort to
get up purse for him. - ~
Smiths handsome face kindleu with
sympathy. 81 wish to Heaven had the
money. Jack" he said; "but just now
every penny is needed in another way.
III drop down and see you, though, this
week and make some permanent arrange
ment Tor Higgins benefit. At this pres
ent moment Pm bound hand and foot
but OF course it's only temporary"
I'm afraid I'll have to give up the
purse, said Jack. He bade Smith good.
night and left the car. The wind blew
keen through the streets, and struck a
chill to the marrow of Jacks bones. He
looked up at the sky, and saw'twinkling
with great cheer and abundance, innumcf.
able stars, and as he found the Big Bear
amt Little Bear and the luminous belt OF