The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1880-07-29

crow.
TIE ex-grocsr was 90 safprissd at
Johany's coBfeasisa aud sabseaRsu; gen
srosty thst he shook the boys bsud
heartily and Invited bin TO step in again
j soon, which The lad promised a. heartily
to 90.
By nlgbual these back debts, a. John.
ny uaively called them, weFc.sli settled,
and then, after scspty meal, thc boy
started out With bis evening papers.
About quarter to eight be bad sold cut,
aui then, IS fast as bis feet feet would
carry hin, he hurried to the Beighborhood
|of the academy of music 10 watch the
people no into the building. Il was
opera night, aud one OF Johnny's greatest
tfrleAsures; and 50, with nfs back to the
amp post, be gsve hImself up TO the de-
light Of watching The gay throng. John
ny wondered what Lit would be ike to
drive round in lu1urious carriages aud
have plenty OF money to spend on hue
clothes. He thought Of the bread and
herring be bad eaten for bis supper, and
tried to imagine what il would be like to
have turkey and cranberry sauce for bis
dinner, aud be knew from experience
how nice they were. lie had once rid
den in su ambulance with friend of bis
va newsboy who had been run over by
an express wagon, and this was the near
est approach TO carriage ride that Johnny
had ever enjoyed. He wondered as be
watched these happy, gaily dressed peo.
Pile, why 1t was that some people had all
they wanted while others we're cold and
| hungry, and sometimes starved to death.
This was not the first time that Johnny
had been perplexed with such thoughts,
but they had never made him feel quite so
uncomfortable as on this occasion. lie
and tidy jacket and pants which Miss
Lee had given him that day, and tried to
comfort himself with the thought that
there was one person in the world who
cared for him.
There bad been besvy fall of snow
that day, and as Johnny, still absorbed |
with bis thoughts, started TO cross tho
street he saw something sparkle in the
snow at the side OF the crossing. There
bad been a rush OF carriages, and few
had not been able TO pull up al the curb. |
As he picked it up be saw that il was an
ornament in the shape of cross, and
studded with diamonds.
Johnny knew they were "shiners" as
he called them, as soon as be looked st
them, so with his heart in his throat be !
tucked the precious jewel in bis pocket,
stiIi holding II firmly 10 bis hand. John
ny's ambiton had been 10 start coffee |
and cake establishment where newsboys
could be entertained at low rates. For
more than year he had nursed this pro.
ject, and here was chance to carry il In.
to execution. There were nine stones in
the cross. Disposing of one at time so
as to avoid suspicion, there was money
enough to last him Tor years and years,
be told himself. 1t puzzled him to know
where he should keep the sinners, for
there wasn't soul among bis acquaint-
ances whom he dare trust with the secret.
Not until he had crept into bis poverty
stricken bed, with his treasure carefully
hidden among the straw, did the thought
occur that be ought to try an find an own.
er for it. Then followed a hard battle
between the natural honesty of the lad
and bis very natural desire for creature
comforts. The person who could wear a
gold thing like that choek full of sinners,
be said to himself, must have money
enough to buy more sinners. Here be
was, cold and hungry half the time, with
TO prospect before him but to be always
bungry, if not always cold; and here
were lhese sinners which. would set him
Up in business and give him a chance 10
help the boys, Johnny honestly wanted
TO help the boys. Why should he fnd
the owner OF this cross when be had moth.
Ing and the owner had eyerything2 This
light continued until il was time for the
sd to start ont for bis morning papers.
All through the business part OF lhe
forenoon the battle stiil ragged, and the
aewsboy's thoughts were 20 occupied ,
with his new found riches that be almost ,
orgot 10 attend to bis customers. About :
halt past Ten as be passed City Hall Park, ,
1e noticed gentleman in earnest conver. 1
4ation with another gentleman, and as be
passed be heard the words diamond cross
lpoken. johnny Stacked his pace and +,
listened. q
The diamonds were all OF the irst wa
c r, the gentleman said. Il was present
o my wife from her father, aud she is
er dbly cut up at the loss. don't sup ,
'ose we shall ever find ii.
You will advertise II, won't your bis !
inquired.
Oh, Of course, the gentleman replied, .
,ut more than likely Il has fallen into dis
ionest hsnds, aud unless the reward is
.qusl 10 the value OF The diamonds we
hall probably never see them.
When the geHtlemen sep Arated lie one
Who was interested 10 the diamonds en- ,
cred the city hall, aud after little in I
uiry Johnuy discovered that this gentle
ugu held g very honorable Office 10 the /,
ty depart nent. After finding this cut
be boy took a turn round the park TO !
blink Il over Agsin.
Granny Le Ids said was q ofscouring, J
nd Miss Lee Gays ain't, be argued TO !,
himself. III Keep these SINNERS Granny !
sill be right aud Miss Lee'll be wrong d
,he said the Lord was giving me chance G
O make fomeibl og ofmyseli. Well, now :