Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-05-06

Inc boys clear eyes fell; ne blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed.
The jeweler put aside the emeralds, and
taking the lads arm, led him into
small ante-room. srr
"You are thief. sir" said he. ''That
necklace belongs to Mr.. Fontenay-he
bought it of me not month ago. You
stole it; you are a thief"
The little fellow Strengthened himself,
and his brown eyes b)azed. 81 am no
thief" he retorted, GA little girl gave it
to me, and | know it was wrong to take
it, but-but my mother and sister are
starving"
The jeweler hesitated.
You don't look like a thief" he said;
''but l will send for Mr.. Fontenay; that
will settle the matter at once"
He dispatched messenger accord
ingly and Ross sat down in corner
and sobbed bitterly as he heard the
driving winds and thought of his moth
er and poor little Flora. In half an
hour Mr.. Fontenay came, bringing his
little daughter Pansie with him. The
little creature darted toward Ross like
hummipg- bird, her cheeks abIaze, her
eyes flashing like lightning.
He didn't steal my emeraldsr" she
cried. Il gave 'em to him to sell 'em
and buy bread for his little sister,"
Ross sprung 70 his feet, struggling
hard to keep back his tears. He put
out his little brown hand, which Panse
instantly clasped in her chubby palms.
81 am not a thief. sir" he SAID at
last, addressing Mr.. Fortenay; 81 never
stole anything IN my life. know it
was wrong to take the necklace-but-
but, sir, my little sister was starving"
The merchant drew his hands across
MS eyes.
You're a manly little fellow" he
said, patting the lads head, "and I 90
not III the least blame you, but | will
take Pansie's emeralds, and she will
give you something more available.
Here Pansie, give this to your little
friend"
He put gold piece into Pansie's
hands, which she rendered to Ross,
with the injunction that he should run
straight home and buy lots of goodies
for his sister, command that he was
not slow to obey.
Il think we will not lose sight of the
poor little fellow" continued Mr..
Fortenay, as Ross disappeared in the
stormy darkness. "Shall we pet2 Let's
see what we can do to help him. He's
a promising young lad and an honest
one, Pm sure. Mr.. Lenox you're in
need Of an errand boy; why not try
him? L wish you would"
The jeweler consented, to Pansie's
great delight, and on the following day
Ross was. duly installed as an errand
boy In the fashionable establishm ent
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning, young man sat be-
hind the counter OF thriving iewelry
establishment in one of the Northern
cities. He Was handsome man, a
traveller q man of taste, intellect and
money, for be was junior partner in
the firm, which was a prosperous one.
But despite all his good fortune, Ross
Dunbar was not happy. His mother
and his little Flora had gone to their
long home, and he was utterly alone,
without kith or kin in the wide world
Sitting alone one morning with the
roar of March winds in his ears his
thoughts, were running back to the
days of his boy-hood, to his mothers
humble home. How vivid the past
seemed; and how dear and sacred, de-
spite its privations and sorrows. His
ewes grew dim and his heart swelled
All were gone over the wide waters of
time and change.
A tender smile softened his sad face
as he recalled the stormy night wnen
he sat sobblng on the steps of Mr.. Fonte-
nays mansion. And little Pansie; the
remembrance of her sweet face, as be
saw it through the snow Hreaths,
haunted him constantly. In ~all the
fifteen years never for one hour had be
forgotten her. But she was gone-lost
to him forever.
His reverie was broken by the en-
trance of a customer, a lady closely
clothed and yelled. She approached
the counter with a jewel case in her
hand.
"Would you buy these?" she asked,
simply, in a clear sweet voice that
stirred the young mans heart as no
other woman's voice had power to do.
He took the casket, opened it, and
spread out its contents. A watch an
elegant and costly diamond ring, two
ruhies and an emerald necklace. Ross
Dunbar barely suppressed cry of sur
prise as his eyes fell upon it. He turned
1t over with eager, trembling fingers and
there on the clasp was the name that
had lived in his heart for so many years.
Little Pansie."
You wish to sell them all?' he asked,
striving to steady his voice and the wild
thrObblng of his heart.
The lady hesitated an instant and then
she put out her slender hand and drew
the emeralds toward her.
IL dislike to part with this" she said /;
sit was my fathers Standardization
no matter, take them all; must have
the money"
In eagerness she had thrown aside
her veil, revealing lily face, lit by lus-
trous, sapphire eyes. Ross Dunbar
stood silent moment, every nerve in
his manly form thrilling with supreme
delight. He had found her at last, the
idol of his life.
"They are very fine gems" he said,
after a moment, "and | am willing t.
give you a fair price-suppose we say
one thousand dollars-will that dU?"
The girl flashed q dazzling glance Of
surprise from beneath her heavy veil.
80 much as thal?' she said tremu-
lousy. "You are very kind, sir. Ga,
you cannot know how much this money
will help me-"
The young man made polite reply
and proceeded to put aside the jewels
and draw check for the money. The