The Newtown bee., 1880-02-04
THE EMERALD

One wintry aft ernoon in January away up in the bleak attic of wretched tenement-house, pale, sad-eyed woman sat sewing. The garment upon which she was engaged was very rich dress. The twilight closed in rapidly, with a binding fall of snow, bitter, wailing blast that made the windows rattle in the easements. Still the pale-faced woman stitched on.
 Mother" piped a sweet voice from the cot beneath the window, twill you get the fine dress donep Oh, mother, I'm so hungry! If only had some tea and bit of sausage"
 She worked on steadily for time, pausing only to brush a tear from her white cheek, then arose and shook out the glimmering robe.
 "'Tis done at last," she said. "Now mothers little girl can have her supper; only be patient little longer, Flora. Ross, come, my boy.''
 A manly little fellow came out from the bedroom beyond.
 "The fine dress is done, Rossy and you must run home with it as fast as you can. Miss Oracle will be out of patience, l know. Teli her I couldn't finish it one moment sooner, and ask her to give you the money. We must have it to- night. And you can stop at MT. Rays, as you come back, and buy some coal; :; and we must have some bread and tea, and mite of butter, and you must get a sausage, Ross, for poor little Flora"
 "I'li get them all, mother," he said, |" and be back in time. You shall have 8 big sausage, little sis," he added, turn ing toward the cot.
 The girl nodded her curly head and her great wistful eyes sparkled with de- light.
 And you shall have half ot it, Ross, 5 she piped, in her splendid bird voice.
 Hadn't you better put on your thick jacket, my boyp" continued his mother. "The wind cuts like knife'
 Pshaw, little mother, don't mind the wind" and away he went down the creaking stairs and out into the storm Miss Oracle Fontenay was in a perfect furore of impatience and anger. Her dear five hundred friends were assem- bled in the halls below and her handsome dress had not come home. What did that beggar woman mean by disappoint- ing herr"
 At that moment there was a ring at the door and voice in the hall.
 "Please tell Miss Oracle my mother could not finish it sooner, she wants the money tonight"
 The servant took the handsome dress and message.
 "rll never give her another stitch of work" cried the angry beauty; ''I ought to have had it three hours ago. Here, Fanchon, dress me at once-there's not a minute to loose. No, I can't pay to- night; haven't time. He must call to- morrow" But we've no fire and nothing to eat, and my little sister is sick" called the boy, pushing up the grand stairway.
 "Shut the door. Fanchon" com- manded Miss Oracle. And the door was closed in his face
 From the porch at the parlor.window Pansie watched the whole scene. her violet eyes distended with childish anaazement.
 "Poor little boy" she said, as Ross disappeared down the stairway; sister Oracle ought to pay him. It must be dreadful to have no fire and nothing to eat"
 She stood tor a moment, balancing herselfon the tip of one dainty foot; hel rosebud face grave and reflective; then 2 sudden thought flooded her blue eyes with sunshine, and snatching something rom the table she darted down stairs. The servant had just closed the street door, but she fluttered past him like a humming bird and opened it.
 On the steps sat Ross, brave little fel. low that he was, his face in his hands sobbing as if his heart would break.
 Whats the matter, little boy?" ques. tioned Pansie.
 l Ross looked up half believing that il was the face of an angel looking down upon him through the whirling snow.
 Oh, cannot go home without the money" he sobbed; "poor mother worked hard, and Flora is sick and SC hungry.n
 YHere,,Ashe said, do take this, little boy, and buy her lots ot nice things Tis worth q great deal; papa bought il for my birthday present, but do you take it and welcome.o
 She extended her dimpled hands, and something like a shower of stars fell al the boys feet. He caught itup in amaze "a necklace of emeralds, lustrous