River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-05-06
THE EMERALDS,

away up IN the bleak attic OF a WTetche
tenement-house, pale, sad-eyed wo
man sat sewing. The garment upoI
which she was engaged was a very ricl
dress. The twilight closed in rapidly
with a binding fall of snow, a bitter
wailing blast that made the window
rattle in the easements. Still the pale
faced woman stitched on.
Mother" piped a sweet voice from
the cot beneath the window, will yor
get the fine dress done? Oh, mother
Pm 50 hungry! If only had some tes
and bit of sausage"
She worked on steadily for time
pausing only to brush a tear from he
white cheek, then arose and shook on
the glimmering robe.
lis done at last" she said. "Nov
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.
''The fine dress is done, Rose, anC
you must run home with it as fast a.
you can. Miss Oracle will be out o
patience, | know. Tell her / couldn'
finish it one moment sooner, and ask
her to give you the money. We must
have it tonight. And you can stop al
Mr.. Rays, as you come back, and buy
some coal; and we must have somf
bread and tea, and mite of butter, and
you must get a sausage, Ross, for poor
little Flora"
"I'll get them all, mother" he said
"and be back in time. You shall have
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 of it, Ross. y
she piped, in her splendid bird voice.
Hadn't you better put on your thick
jacket, my boy?" continued his mother.
"The wind cuts like knife"
"Pshaw, little mother, l 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 impotence and anger. Her
dear five hundred friends were assem-
bled IN the halls below and her hand.
some dress had not come home. What
did that beggarwoman mean by disap-
pointing heI?'
At that moment there was ring at
the door and avOice in the hall.
"Please tell Miss Oracle my mother
could not finish it sooner, she wants the
money to night"
the servant took the handsome dress
and message.
"I'll never give her another stitch OF
work" cried the angry beauty; 81 ought
10 have ha I - al 700 Hnro
Fanchon, dress me at Once-there's not
a minute to lose. No, can't pay to-
night; havn't time. He must call to-
morrow"
"But we've no fire and nothing to
eat, and my little sister is sick, call
ed the boy, pushing up the grand stair
way.
"Shut the door, Fanchonl" commad-
ed 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
amsZement.
poor little boy" said she, as Ross
disappeared down the stairway; SISTER
Oracle ought to pay him. 1t must be
dreadful to have no fire and nothing to
eat"
She stood for amOment, balancing her
self on the tip of one dainty foot; her
rosebud face grave and reflective; then
a sudden thought flooded her blue eyes
with sunshine, and snatchiDg something
from the table she darted down stairs
The servant had just closed the street
door, but she huttered past him like a
L a II
On the steps sat R.ss, 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
toned Pansie.
Ross looked up half believing that 1t
was the face of an angel looking dowr
upon him through the whirling snow.
ION, | cannot 60 home without the
money" he sobbed; "poor mother
worked hard, and Flora is sick and sc
hungry"
Here" she said, do take this, little
boy, and buy her lots of nice things
It's worth great deal; papa bought II
for my birthday present, but do you
take it and welcome"
She extended her dimpled hands, anC
Iih6 h5uOnCA VI 0AoAo ANAA a.
the boys feet. He caught it up il
amazement-a necklace of emeralds
lustrous, cleaning things, set in tawny
Indian gold.
mo, no." he cried, running up &c
where she stood. 81 cannot take thi'
necklace-take it back"
"You shall take it," she continued
imperiously. 81 have lots of jewelry
and fine things-run home now anC
buy your sister something to eat"
She closed the door with bang. anC
Ross stood irresolute IN the stormy
gloom. Should he ring the bell and re
turn the jewels to Pansie's father, o.
should he do as she babe him? II,
thought of his mother and poor little
Flora watching wistfully for his return
He could not go back and see then
stsrve. With sudden feeling of des
peration he thrust the glittering neck
lace in his pocket and dashed down tn,
street.
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in 6
fashionable jewelry establishment, anC
its bland proprietor looked down in
quiringiy on little Ross as he approach
ed the glittering counter.
would YOU like to buy this, sir?'
There was tremor in the boys voice
as he asked the question, and the hanC
that held the emerald necklaces shool
visibly. The lspidary took the gems
examining them closely for moment
and then shot sharp glance at thu
child.
See here" he said, presently, hi
voice stern and commanding, 81 wan
to know how you came by this"
the boys clear eyes fell; he blusheC
and stammered, evidently embarrassed
Theieweler put aside the emeralds, ant
taking the lads arm, led him into
small ante-roOm.
"You are a thief, sir, said he. "ThA
necklace belongs to Mr.. Fontenay-h
bought it of me not month ago. Yor
stole it; you are thief"
The little fellow Strengthened himself
and his brown eyes olazed. Il am n
thief" he retorted. "a little girl gave
to me, and know il was wrong to tax
it, but-but my mother and sister ar
starving"
The jeweler hesitated.
You don't look like a thief, he SAID
''butI will send for Mr.. Fontensy; ths
will settle the matter at once"
He dispatched a messenger ACCORD
ingly and Ross sat down in corne
and sobbed bitterly as he heard tn
l.. i II. l., ,rNkf