The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1880-03-17

W. sNSnSy so-bi6ut
The servant took the handsome
dress and message.
I'll never give her another stitch
OF work." cried the angry beauty :
81 ought to have had It 8 hours ago.
Here Fanchon, dress me ct once
there's not q minute to lose. No,
! can't pay tonight; l haven't time.
He must call tomorrow.
But we've no fire and not hing to
eat, and my little sister is sick - call.
ed the boy, pushing up the grand
stairway.
"Shut the door, Fanchon !p com.
msoded Miss Oracle. Aud the door
wss closed 10 his face.
From The porch st the psrlor win
dow Pansie watched the whole
scene. her violet eyes distented with
childish amaze meDt.
Poor little boy" she cried, as
Ross disappeared down the s,air.
way; "slsrer Grscie ougn to pay
him. 1t must be dresliiul to have no
fire aud nothing to esI.p
She stood for msment, balanc-
ing herself on the tip of one dsluty
foot her rosebud face grave and re.
fl.c.Ive; then q sudden thought
flooded ber blue eyes with sunshine,
and snslcbing something from the
table she dsrted down stairs. Tue
servant had ju-t CLOSED the street
door, but she tlu tered past him like
g humming bird and opened it
Ga the steDs sat Ross, brave little
fellow that he was, bis face in bis
hands, sobbing as ii his heart would
break
What's the matter, little boy ?"
questioned Pansie.
Ross louked up half believing that
il WAS the face Of an angel looking
down upon him through The whirling
snow.
lob, csnLot 90 home without
money" he sobbed "pv0r mother
worked hard, and Flora is sick and
20 hungry"
Here" she said, "do take this,
little boy, and buy her lots of nice
things. Tis worth q great deal !;
papa bought il tor my birthday pres.
euI, but do you take it and vel
Cine"
She extended ber dimpled hands,
and something like q shower of stars
fell at the boys feet. He caught it
up in amszement--a Lecklsce of
emerslds, luslrous, glesming things,
set in iswpy, Indian gold
mo, no." he cried, rdnning up to
where she stood. "T cannot take
this neckIace-tske it back"
"Yon shall take it," she continued,
imperiously 81 have lots Of jswelry
aud ine lhiogs-run home aud buy
yyur sister some, hing 70 eat"
She closed the door With 9 bang,
and Ross stood lrrssolure 10 the
stormy gloom. Shossa as ring the
bell aud return the je sels to Psnsis's
father, OF should be do ss she bsde
him? He thought of bis mother and
poor little Flora watching for his
return He could not 60 back and
see them stsrve. With Q suddea
feeling Of desperation be thrust the
yli,tering necklace in his pocket and
dashed down the street.
The gasligbt blszed brilliantly in o
jewelry establishment,
and It's bland proprietor looked down
il bquIringly on little Ross % be sp-
preached The glittering counter.
would you like to buy this
sir ?"
There was q tremor in the boys
voice as he asked the question, and
he hand that held the necklace shook
sisibly. The Ispidsry took the gems,
Examining them closely for mo-
neut, and then shot sharp glance sI
he child.
"See here" be said presently, bis
yoice stern and commanding, 81
. ant to know how you came by
his 2"
The boys clear eyes fell he blush
d aud stammered, evidently EN-.
The jeweler put aside
be emeralds, and taking The lads
,rm led him into small sDte-room
"You are thief, sir" be said
That necklace belongs 10 Mr.. FoD-
bought il of me not q
month sgo You stole it; you are
bief"
The little fellow Strengthened bin.
,elf, and bis brown eyes bisz-d. 81
I'm no thief" be retorted. "A little
,irl gave it to me, and 1 knew is
vas wrong to take it, but-but my
mother aud sister are starving"
The jeweler hesi,sted
You don't Look like q thief" be
aid; "but will send for Mr.. Fon-
epay that will settle the matter q,
,ncr."
He dispatched messenger accord
ugly and Ross sat down in corner
md sobbed bitterly as be heard the
irving winds and thougas Of bis
mother and poor little Flora In
,alf and hour Mr FoDtensy came
his little daughter Psnsey
With him. The little creature dart
ID toward Ross like bumming bird,
Ter cheeks ablaze, her eyes flashing
ike lightning.
"He didn't steal my emerslds ~
he cried, Il gave 'em TO him to cell
em, aud bay bread for his little
lister"
Ross spraDg to bis feet, struggling
lard to keep back his tears He
bot out bis little brown hand, when
Psnsie instantly clasped in heF cnub.
~ palms.
II sm no thief, SIR" be. said at
ast, addressing Mr. Fentenay for !
,ever stole any thing in my life. l
Inew it was wrong to take the neck.
sce-but-but, sir. my little sister
9 starving"
The merchant drew bis hands
Icross bis eyes
You're . manly little fellow" be
'aid, pstting the lads head, land
10 not in the least blame you, but
will rske Pansie's emerslds, and she
hail give you something more avail.
'ble Here. Pansie. give this to
Iour little friend"
He put gold piece into PsDsies
,snd., which she rendered to Ross,
ylth the injunction that be should