The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-07
THE EMERALDS.

One wintry afternoon in January, away ur
in the bleak attic of wretched tenement
house, pale, sad-eyed woman sat sewing
The garment upon which she was engaged
was a very rich dress The twilight closed
in rapidly. with binding fall of snow, a
bitter, wailing 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, shall you get the
fine dress done? Oh. my mother, I'm so hun
cry. If only had some tea and bit of
sausage"
She worked on steadily for few moments
paused only to brush tear from her white
cheek, then arose and shook out the glimmer-
ing robe.
IT'S done at last" she said. "Now moth
ers-little girl can have her supper; only be
patient little longer, Flora. Ross, Ross,
where are you, my boyi
A manly little fellow came out from the
little bedroom beyond
The fine dress is done, Ross" said his
mother; land you must run home with it as
fast as you can. Miss Garcie will be out of
patience, know. Tell her 1 couldn't finish
it one moment sooner, and ask her to give
you the money We must have it tonight
And you can stop in 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"
"Ill get them all, mother" he said. "and
De back in time. You shall have big sau-
sage, little sis, he added, turning toward
the cot
The girl nodded her curly head. and her
great, wistful eyes sparkled with delight
And you shall have half Of it. Ross. 4" she
piped, in her splendid bird voice
Hadn't you better put on your thick
acket, my boy" continued his mother.
The wind cuts like a knife"
"Pshaw, little mother, | don't mind the |
wind" And away he went down the creak- |
ing stairs and out into the storm. Miss Gar |
cia Fontenay was is a perfect furore of i'm |
patience and anger. Her dear 900 friends |
were assembled in the halls below and her |
handsome dress had not come home. What |
did that beggar woman mean BY disappoint- |
ing her.
At that moment there was ring at the
door and voice in the hall
please tell Miss Garcia nav 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; al ought to have had
it three hours ago. Here, Fanchon, dress me
at once-there's not a minute to lose. Mol
can't pay tonight haven'ttime He must
call tomorrow"
''But we've no fire and nothing to eat, and
my little sister is sick" called the little bow.
pushing up the grand stairway
"Shut the door, Fanchonl" commanded
Miss Garcia 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 amazement.
Poor little boy" she said. as Rosa disap-
peared down the stairway; SISTER Garcia
ought to pay him. 1t must be dreadful to
have no fire and nothing to eat"
She stood for a moment, balancing herself
on the tip of one dainty foot. her rosebud
face grave and reflective; then a sudden |
thought flooded her blue eyes with sunshine
and snatching something from the table. she
darted down stairs The servant had lust !
closed the street door, but she fluttered past
him like humming bird and opened it.
On the steps sat Ross. brave little fellow
that he was, his face in his hands, sobbing as
Il bis heart would break
Whats the matter, little boy2" question
ed Pansie.
Ross looked up, half believing that it was
the face of an angel looking down upon him ;
through the whirling snow.
ooh, L can not go home without the
money he sobbed; poor mother
worked hard, and Flora is sick and so +
hungry" &
Here she SAID, do take this, little boy,
md bug her lots of nice things. It's worth | \
/ great deal; papa bought it for my birthday
present, but do you take it and welcome" &"
She extended her dimpled hands, and 1
like a shower of stars sprinkled
o the boys feet. He caught 1t up in amaze .
"a necklace of emeralds, lustrous, cleaning G
hings, set in tawny, Indian gold. s.
''No, no." he cried, running up to where a
he stood, II can't take this necklace-take o
t back"
"You shall take it," she commanded i'm e
,eriously. 81 have lots of jewelry and fine q
hings-run home now and buy your sister b
TO eat"
She closed the door with a bang, and Ross
TODD irresolute in the stormy gloom. Should D
e ring the bell and return the jewels to Pan L
les father, or should he do as she had bid b
i'm? He thought of his mother and poor
tile Flora wat ching wistfully for his return. le
lie could not go back and see them starve. II
With sudden feeling ofdesperation he thrust
be glittering necklace in his pocket and b.
ashed down the snowy street. Ia
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in fashion IL
bic establishment, and its bland proprietor re
,oked down inquiringly on little Ross as he | b.
pproached the glittering counter.
"Would you like to buy this sir7' bl
Mhere was q tremor in the boys voice as Ii
e asked the question, and the hand that held lii