The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-03-25
THE EMERALDS.

One wintry afternoon in January
away up in the bleak attic of wretched
tenement-house, pale, sad.eyed woman
sat sewing. The garment upon which
she was engaged was very rich dress
The twilight closed In rapidly, with q
binding fall of snow, bitter, wailing
blast that made the windows rattle in
the easements. Still the pale-faced
woman stitched on.
Mother" piped a sweet voice from
the cot beneath the window, Twill you
get the fine dress doneP Oh, mother,
I'm so hungryl If / only had scme tea
and bit of sausage"
She worked on steadily for a time,
pausing only to brush a tear from her
white cheek, then arose and shook out
the glimmering robe.
"'Tis 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 beyond.
1.-THE fine dress is done, Ross, and you
must run home with it rs fast as you
can. Miss Oracle will be out of patience,
know. Tell her l couldn't finish it
one moment sooner, and ask her to give
you the money. We must have 1t to-
night. And you can stop at Mr.. Rays,
as you come back, and buy some coal ;
and we must have some bread and tea,
and a mite of butter, and you must get
a sausage, Ross, for poor little Flora"
"l'lI get them all, mother" he said,
land 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" p"
she piped, in her splendid bird voice.
"H ,dn't you better put on your thick
jacket, my boyP" continued his mother
"The wind cuts 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 u perfect
furore of impatience and anger. Her
dear five hundred friends were assem-
bled in the halls below and her handsome
dress had not come home. What did
that beggar woman mean by disappoint-
ing herP"
At that moment there was a ring at
the door and voice in the hall.
"Please tell Miss Oracle my mother
could not finish it sooner, she wants the
money tonight"
The servant took the handsome dress
and message.
"I'll never give her another stitch of
work." cried the angry beauty; II ought
to have had it three hours ago. Here,
Fanchon, dress me at once-there's not
minute to loose. No, can't pay to-
night; / haven't time. lie must call to-
morrow"
but we've no fire and nothing to eat,
and my little sister is sick" called the
boy, pushing up the grand stairway.
"Shut the door, Fanchonm com.
manded 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 dstended with childish
amazement.
Poor little boy" she said, rs Ross
disappeared down the stairway; " sister
Oracle ought to pay him. 1t must be
dreadful to have no fire and nothing 10
eat "
She stood for n MON ent, balancing
herselfon 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 1uttered past him like
humming bird and opened it,
On the steps sat Ross, brave little fe
low that he was, his face in his hands,
sobbing as If his heart would break.
Whats the matter, little boyP" ques.
toned Pansie.
Ross looked up half believing that il
was the face of an angel looking down
upon him through the whirling snow.
"Oh, cannot 60 home without the
money" he sobbed; "poor mother