Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-08-04


with such thoughts. but they had neve
made him feel quite so uncomfortable q
on this occasion. He called to mind th
warm underclothing and tidy jacket an
pants which Miss Lee had given him tn,
day, and tried to comfort himself with til
thought that there was one person in tn
world who cared for him.
There had been a heavy fall of snoy
that day, and rs Johnny, still absorbe
with his thoughts, started to cross Tn
street he saw something sparkle in tn
snow at the side of the crossing. Their
had been rush of carriages, and fe,
had not been able to pull up at the curt
As he picked it up he saw that it WAS a
ornament in the shape of cross, an,
studded with diamonds.
johnny knew they were "shiners," a
he called them. AS soon AS he looked a
them, so with his heart in his throat h.
tucked the precious jewel in his poke,
still holding it firmly in his hand. John
ny's ambition had been to start II coffe,
and cake establishment where newsboy.
could be entertained at low rates. Fo
ject, and here was chance to carry i
into execution. There were nine stone.
in the cross. Disposing of one at tim,
so as to avoid suspicion, there WAS money
enough to last him "for years and years
he told himself. 1t puzzled him to know
where he could keep the sinners, for there
wasn't a soul among his acquaintances
whom he dare trust with the secret. No
until he had crept into his poverty -strick
en- bed, with his treasure carefully bidder
among the straw, did the thought occur he
ought to try and find an owner for it
Then followed hard battle between the
natural honesty of the lad and his very
natural desire for creature comforts
The person who could wear u gold thing
like that "chuck iull of shiners,' he sait
to himself, "must have money enough tc
buy more sinners" Here he was, cold
and hungry half the time, with no pros.
peot before him but to be always hungry
if not always cold; and here were these
"shiners" which would set him un in bus
mess and give him a chance to help tht
boys. Why should he find the owner ol
4his cross when he had nothing and tht
owner had everythingP This fight con.
tinued until it was time for the lad tt
start out for his morning papers. Al
through the busiest part of the forenoon
the battle still ragged, and the newsboy'
thoughts were so occupied with his new
found riches that he almost forgot to at
tend to his customers. About half past
ten, as he passed City Hall Park, he
noticed II gentleman iu earnest conver
sation with another gentleman, and as b,
passed he heard the words diamond
cross spoken. Johnny slackened his
pace and lis ened.
1.-The diamonds were all of the frs
water." the gentleman said. ut WAS +
present TO my wife from her father, an,
she is terribly cut up at the loss. don
suppose we shall ever find it,
You will advertise it, won't yon?' hi.
companion inquired.
"Oh. of course" the gentleman replied
"but more than likely it has fallen, int,
dishonest hands, and unless the reward i.
made equal to the value of the diamond.
we shall probably never see them"
When the gentleman separated the ont
who was interested in the diamonds en-.
tered the city hail. and after little
inquiry Johnny discovered that this
gentleman held very honorable office in
the city department. After finding thi,
out the lad took turn round the park to
think it over again.
Granny Leeds said was offscouring
and Miss Lee says amt" he argued :c
himself. "If keep these sinners Gran
ny'll be right and Miss Lee'll be wrong
She said the Lord was giving me chance
to make something of myself. Well, now
the question is. am l or am | not "A off
scouringp If keep these sinners | am
if give them up amt. Well, Ia,nIr
and with these words on his lips Johnny
started for the gentleman's Office. Moth
ing daunted, he entered and presented
himself at the desk.
Some of your folks have lost some
thing, ain t theyP" he asked.
They have" said the gentleman.
"Will yer honor tell me what it is likep'
ut is gold cross set with diamonds, >
and the gentleman described the relative
position of the stones. at was lost ethel
in the academy of music last night, or or
the way to or from that place."
Johnny's coat was off in twinkling
and with a rip at the stitches which con
fined his treasure he took it out and pu
on his coat again. Il s'pose this is it,
be said. handing it to the gentleman. :"
wanted to keep them sinners awful bad.
he continued. They'd "a set me up il
business, them sinners would, but you Sc
| couldn't get to be such offscouring a
that. though have been trying to be
thief all night long. If was your folks
he went on, "rd get a stronger string t
hold them sinners, for fear they'd be gon
for good and all next time"
what is your name?" the gentlema
inquired, rs the lad, with his cap in hi
hand, stood modeStly before him.
"John Resney," the boy replied.
"Have you father and mother?
was the next question.
Nobody, yer honor, but myself"
(Which would you prefer to do, John,
the gentleman next inquired, "go int
business or 60 to schoolP'
"Well, would rather GO to school, te
to one," said Johnny. "but there ain
no show for that"
1--WE will see" said the gentleman
"Will you come into my office. Johnny
until see what is best to be done?"
"Yes, sir,' Johnny replied, The tear
starting to his eyes.
II shall want you to go home with m
in an hour Or two, and give my wife he
diamonds, and see what she thinks {
you"
"All right" said Johnny brushing ava
} the tears. Anything to do now, "
honorp"
The following Sunday Johnny went I
the mission school for the last time, and i
such good clothes that Miss Lee hardl
knew him. The greteful boy told hi
teacher all that happened, and concludes
rs follows:
IL am going away to school To- morrow
and if I've got the learning stuff in me
can go to college; but Miss Lee. if
hadn't been for you and God, / shoul
J have been offscouring all the days
my life."-Christian Union.
OLD MEMS ENERGY.-Their energ,
says the London Spect1tor. is at least 8
: great as that OF the young. Not to Z
further back than the memory of this ger
, Grafton, we have seen Radetsky at 50 cor
quer Piedmont, and Palmerston nj 81 iii,
tator of England, and Earl Russell at s