The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-10-03

Bertha.
With an aching heart she drew rlne
from her finger.
1t was beautiful ring-a circlet O.
very large and pure rubies. The!
flashed like sparks of fire in the sun
light as the girl drew it from her hand
Then she plunged across the street, and
with deperate haste unclosed the pawn
brokers' door.
There was fat, black k-whiskered man
smelling of garlic, behind the counter
He snatcheu eagerly at the ring as Der
,ha Offered it for his inspection.
No words could describe the pain
with which she saw it seized by his fat
hands.
This rings I will lend you seven
dollars on ii, my dear
Seven dollars q? And when [ bring
you back the money I can have the ring
back added Bertha, earnestly. a
oh, yes, my day any time within
lhel~ uIOilkiS.: J
He handed her the money in silver.
Her thin fingers closed over it. but she
had removed her vail, and stood looking
anxiously at the man.
You will be sure and not sell the
ringasir. will certainly redeem it be-
fore the twelve months are out. My
nnpe is Bertha Farley she added; 1
liYcat No. $40 A-h street.
The old pawubroker SMILED at the
unsophis,icated air. His customers were
not usually to willingly frank and COM
''T'viivi I will write it down. dry dear, and
give you ticket, You can have the
ring when you bring back the money
he added, civilly.
Bertha came out, trying to think only
of tho dear money in her hand. 1t
would buy her dear, sick mother nour-
ishing food But when she reached
the store she found that she was still
crying softly for her ring. Again she
drew down her veil. She bought a
steak, nice fresh butter, and French
loaf.
She could have hugged the bundles
with gladness and gratitude as she re-
ceived them.
Darling mother, your precious life
if safe = she murmured.
She ran home, coaxed the fire to. burn
with couple Of sticks, broiled the steak,
made some tea. and was at the bedside
of the invalid in less than half an hour
from the time she left. with an appetiz-
Ing repast upon a tray.
.Oh.--hoRnice' exclaimed Mrs.
Farley. 'H='p me el- ur, 9o"r. Did
you cook the steak yourself9 1 don't
remember that Nab ever prepared any
thing So nicely. 1t is delicious ?
And weakly, yet with evident enjoy
uent. she ate and drank all that was
brought her.
Her daughter hung over her with
delight
Bertha, dear, think you ought not
TO have discharged Nab. There are
fires to make-you nevee made fire in
your lifc-and the steps to wash
Dearest mo!h"r. | had as soon make
the fire as not; and ss for the steps,
never mind. Lie down and sleep, and
then you will get strong
And Bertha. who Tor three weeks had
dragged through the unaccustomed task
of making fires, cooking, washing dishes
sweeping and nursing an invalid day and
night, arrsnged tie bedclothes, lifted
the tray. and ran down stairs with a
li9ht step.
The ucxt day size boaght more beef,
ant another Frruch loaf; aud then size
mast n""dS employ a woman to wash the
Great basket If clctIrs whic! had ac.
cumulated jnring her mothers sick
ness
Washing and ironing were arts un-
known to Bertha, even if she had the
strength.
But the trouble was that her money
began to dwindlc.
1t will not hold out much longer,
said Bertha, at last what can | do 2
| muse earn some I must earn enough
to live and get my ring.
Still keeping her mother in Ignorance
of their straitened circumstances, the
girl daily stole forth during the after
noon nap Of her invalid, and went from
shop to shop offering her services.
But business was dull; there was
more hip than occupation. and though
many, pleased by her appearance, pro-
m,spd to give her chance when times
improved, she effected no engagement
Weeks CT desperate effort and weary
waiting went by. The day came wh"n
puor Mrs. Farley, nursed in luxury,
and unequal to the emergency, was re-
quired to know that actual poverty had
orertakcn her.
At the most mcager rates, Bertha OBJ
taiued it'le plain sewing-enough to
buy their daily bread. Beyond this
she could accomplish nothing; and when
at last the twelve months were up she
could not produce single dime to re.
deem her ring. And then the girl shed
the bittcrest tears of her life.
X 81 X
Philip Henry had just returned from
abroad. 1t was summer, and the sea-
son unusually hot He strolled along Al
street, handsome fellow to see, Ger
tainly But you had seen happier faces
| nerhons