Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-05-06
The EMERALDS.

One wintry afternoon in January
away up in the bleak attic of a w1etched
tenement-hOuse, pale, -sad-eyed wO-
man sat sewing. The garment upor
which she was engaged was very rich
dress. The twilight closed in rapidly,
with binding fall of snow, a bitter,
wailng blast that made the windows
rattle In the easements. Still the pale
faced woman stitched on.
Mother" piped sweet voice from
the cot beneath the window, will you
get the fine dress done? Oh, mother,
Pm So hungry! II only had some tea
and bit of sausage"
Sac worked on steadily for a time,
pausing only to brush tear from her
white cheek, then arose and shook out
the glimmering robe.
otis done at last" she said. "Now
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, Ross, and
you must run home with it as fast a.
you can. Miss Oracle will be out o.
patience, | know. Tell her L couldn't
finish il one moment sooner, and ask
her to give you the money. We must
havp;it tonight. And you can stop at
Mr.. Rays, as you come back, and buy
some coal; and we must have some
bread and tea, and mite of butter, and
you must get sausage, Ross, for poor
little Flora"
'I'lI 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 halfof it, Ross"
she piped, in her splendid bird voice.
Hadn't you better put on your thick
jacket, my boy?' continued his mother.
The wind GUS like knife"
"Pshaw, little mother, / don't mind
the wind" and away he went down the
creaking stairs and out into the storm.
Miss Oracle Fontenay was In 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 dlsap
pointing heI?"
At that moment there was ring at
the door and voice in the hall.
please tell Miss Gfacle 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
to have had 1t three hours ago. Here,
FanChon, dress me at Once-there's not
a minute to lose. No, | can't pay to-
night; | havn't lime. He must cali 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, Fanchonp commad-
ed Miss Oracle. And the door was closed
in his face.
From the porch at the parlor window
Pansle watched the whole scene, her
violet eyes distended with childish
amusement.
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
sudden thought flooded her blue eyes
with sunshine, and snatching something
from the table she darted down stairs
The servant had just closed the street
door, but she futtered past him like a
humming bird and opened 1t.
Ga the steps sat K 'ss, brave little fell
low that he was, his face in his hands
sObbing as if his heart would break.
Whats the matter, little boy?' ques
toned Pansie.
r )ss looked up half believing that it
was the face of an angel looking down
upoh aim through the whirling snow.
"Oh, | cannot 60 home without the
money" he sobbed; "poor mother
worked hard, and Fora is sick AMI sc
hungry"
Here" she said, do take this, little
boy, and buy her lots of nice things
It's worth great deal; papa bought il
for my birthday present, but do you
take it and welcome"
She extended her dimpled hands, and
something like ashower OF stars fell al
the boys feet. He caught it up in
amaZ+ ment-a necklace of emeraldS
lustrous, cleaning things, set in tawny
Indian gold.
No, no." he cried, running up &C
where she stood. 81 cannot take this
necklace-take it back"
You shall take it" she continued
imperiously. Il have lots of iewelry
and fine things-run home now and
buy your sister something to eat"
She closed the door with bang. and
K 'ss stood irresolute IN the stormy
gloom. Should he ring the bell and re.
turn the jewels to Pansie's father, OF
should he do as she babe him? He
thought of his mother and poor little
Flora watching wistfully for his return
He could not go back and see them
starve. With sudden feeling of des
peration he thrust the glittering neck
lace in his pocket and dashed down the
street.
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in 8
fashionable jewelry establishment, ano
its bland proprietor looked down in
quiringly on little r oss as he approach
ed the glitterine counter.
would YOU like to buy this, sir p
There was a tremor in the boys voice
as he asked the question, and the HAND
that held the emerald necklaces shook
visibly. The lapidary took the gems
examining them closely for a moment
and then shot a sharp glance at the
child. -