The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-01-06
ed hard, and Flora is sick and 80 hum

Here" she said, "do take this and
buy her lots of nice things 'Tis worth
a great deal; papa bought il for my birth
day present, but do you take it and wei.
come"
She extended her dimpled hands, and
something like shower of stars sprin-
kled to the boys teet; he caught it up in
amaze-a necklace Of emeralds. lustrous,
cleaning things, set in tawny Indian
gold.
mo, no." he cried running up to
where she stood II can't take this reck.
lace-take it hack F"
You shall take it," she commanded
imperiously. 81 have lots of jewelry
and fine things-rnn home now and buy
your sister something to eat.''
Shs. closed the dopr with q bang and.
Ross STOOD iresolute in the stormy
gloom. Should he ring the bell and re-
store the jewels to Pansie's father, or
should he do as she had bid him2 He
thought Of his mother and pQpr little
Flora watching wistfully for his return.
He could not go back and see them
statye. With q sudden feeling of .des-
peration be thrust the glittering necklace
in his pocket and dashed down the
snowy street. - = y ASN
The gaslight blszed brilliantly in a
fashionable establishment, and it's bland
proprietor looked down inquiringly on
little Ross as be approached the glitter
ing counter.
"Would you like to buy this, sir ~
There was tremor in the bows voice
as he asked the question, and the hand
that held the emerald necklace shook Wis
IDLY. The lapidary took the gems, ex-
amining them closely for moment, and
then shot sharp glance at the child.
"See here, he said presently, bis voice
stern and commanding. II want 10 know
how you came by this p "a
The boys clear eyes fell; he blushed
and slammered. evidently embarrassed
The. jeweler put aside the emeralds and
taking the lads arm led him into small
ante-room
"Youare thief. 81" "he said. "That
necklace belongs to Mr.. Fontenay-he
bought it of me not month ago. You
stole H.; you are a thief !" III Tf
The little fellow Strengthened himself,
and his brown eyes blazad. 81 am not a
thief" be retorted. "a kind little girl
gave it to me, and know ii was wrong
to take it, but-but my mother and sis
ter are starving" t~.ss .gl
The jeweler hesitaied.
"You don't look like thief he said
"but will send for Mr.. Fontenay; that
wilI'settle the matter at once"
He dispatched messenger according.
ly, and Ross sat down in corner and
sobhed bitterly as be heard the driving
winds and thought of his mother and
poor little Flora. In half an hour Mr..
Fontenay came bringing his daughter
Pansie with him. The little creature
darted like lumming- bird, her cheeks
ablazs, her eyes flashing like lightning.
"He didn't steal nv emeralds r she
cried; II gave 'em to him to sell 'em,
and buy bread for his little sister,"
Ross sprang to his feet struggling hard
to keep back his tears. He put out his
little brown hand which Pansie instantly
clasped in her chubby palms.
IL am not thief, sir" he said at last,
addressing Mr. Fontenay; 81 never stole
ANYTHING in my life. l know it was
wrong to take the necklace-but-but,
sir, nv little sister is starving"
The merchant drew his hands across
his ewes.
you're manly little fellow" he said
patting the lads head, sand do not in
the least blame you, but will take Pan
sizes emeralds and she shall 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
:he Injunction that he should run straight
home and buy lots Of goodies for bis
s,ster--a command he was not slow to
obey.
II think we shall not lose sight Of the
little fellow" continued Mr.. Fontenay
as Ross disappeared in the stormy dark
ness. "Shall we, pet3 Let's wha
we can do to help him, He's promis
ing young lad, and an honest one, I'm
sure. Mr., Lenox, you're in need of al
errand-boy; why not try him? l wist
you would"
The jeweler consented, to Pansie',
great delight, and on the following day
Ross was duly installed as an errand-boy
in the fashionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning, a young man sat behint
the counter OF thriving jewelry 'es.ab
Ilishment in one Of the Northern cities
He was handsome man, a traveller,
man of Taste, intellect and mouev, for h'
was the junior partner in the firm, which
was a prosperous one. But despite al
his good fortune Ross Dunbar was no
happy. His mother and his little Flor'
had gone to their long home, and he wa
utterly alone, without kith or kin in the
wide world.
|
roar of the March wind in his ears, hi
thoughts were running back to the day
OF his boyhood, to his mothers humhl
home. How vivid the past seemed, ant
how dear and sacred. despite his priva
lions and sorrows. His eyes grew din
and his heart swelled. All we're gon
over the wide waters Of time and change
A tender smile softened his sad fac
as he recalled the stormy night when b
sat sohbing on the steps of Mr. Fonte
nsy's mansion And little Pansie--th
remembrance of her sweet face, as b
saw it through the snow wreaths, haunt
ed him constantly. In all the ftlee
years never for one hour had he forgo,
len her. But she was gone-lost to hil
forever.
His reverie was broken by the entranc
of a customer, lady closely clothe
and veiled: she approached the countt
| with jewel.case in her hand
4"Would you buy these? ?" she aske
simply, in clear sweet voice that stirre
the young mans heart as no other We
mans voice had power to do.
He took the casket, Enclosed it az
spread out the contents. A watch, ell
, CANT and costly, a diamond ring, two RI
biss and an. emerald necklace Ro
Dunbar scarcely repressed cry of su