Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-10-05


sister something to eat"
She closed the door with bang, and
Ross 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 bade 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 a sudden feeling of des-
peration he thrust the glittering neck
lace in his pocket and dashed down the
street
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in a
fashionable jewelry establishment, and
its bland proprietor looked down in
quiringly on little Ross as he approach
ed the glitering counter.
''Would you like to buy this, sir 2
There was a tremor in the boys's voice
rs he asked the question, and the hand
that held tha emerald necklace shook
visibly. The lapidary took the gems,
examining them closely for moment,
and then shot sharp glance at the
child.
"See here" he said presently, his
voice stern and commanding 1 want to
know how you came by this.
The boys clear eyes fell he blushed
and stammered, evidently embarrassed.
The jeweler put aside the emeralds, and
taking the lads arm led him into a small
ante-room.
"You are a thief, sir" he said, THAT
necklace belongs TO Mr.. Fontenay-he
bought it of me not month ago. You
stole it you're thief. !"
The little fellow Strengthened himself
and his brown eyes blazed. 81 am no
thief" he retorted. "a little girl gave
it to me, and 1 knew it was wrong to
take it, but-but my mother and sister
are starving"
The jeweler hesitated.
"You don't look like thief, he said;
"but 1 will send for Mr.. Fontenay that
Will settle it at once"
He despatched messenger according
ly and Ross sat down in a corner and
sobbed bitterly as he heard the driving
wind and thought of his mother and
poor little Flora. In half an hour Mr..
Fontsnay came, bringing his little
daughter Pansie with him. The little
creature darted toward Ross like a tum-
ming bird, her cheeks ablaze, her eyes
flashing like lightning.
"He didn't steal my emeralds !" she
cried 81 gave 'em to him to sell 'em,
and buy bread for his little sister.
Ross sprang to his feet, struggling
hard to keep back his tears. He put out
his little brown band, which Pansie in
stantlv clasped in her chubby palms.
81 am not thief, sir, he said at last,
addressing Mr.. Fontenay; Il never stole
anything in my life. 1 know it was
wrong to take the necklace-but-but,
sir, my little sister is starving"
The merchant drew his hand across
his eyes.
''You are a manly little fellow" he
said, patting the lads head. ''and / do
not in the least blame YOU, but I will
take Pansie's emerelds, and she shall
give you something more available.
Here Pansie, give this to your little
friend"
He put gold piece into Pansie's
hands, which she rendered to Ross, with
the injunction that he should run
straight home and buy lots of goodies
for his sister-a command he was not
slow to obey.
81 think we shall not lose sight of the
little fellow" continued Mr.. Fontenay,
as Ross disappeared ia the stormy dark
ness. ''Shal We pet? Let's see what
We can do for him. He's a promising
young lad and an honest one, I'm sure.
Mr.. Lenox, you are IN need of an errand
boy; why not try him? 1 wish you
would"
Thejeweler consented, to Pansie's great
delight, and the next day Ross was duly
installed as an errand boy in the fash
ionable establishment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning, young man sat behind
the counter of thriving ieweriy estab-
lishment IN one of the northern cities.
He was a handsome man, a traveller, a
man of taste, intellect and money, for
he was a junior partner in the firm,
which was prosperous one. But, des-
pite l,is good fortunes, Ross Dunbar was
not happy His mother and little Flora
had gone to their long home, and he
was utterly alone without kith or kin in
the world.
Sitting alone one morning with the
roar of the March winds in his ears, his
thoughts We're running back to the days
of his boyhood, to his mothers humble
home. How vivid the past seemed, and
how dear and sacred, despite its priva-
tions and sorrows. His eyes grew dim
and his heart swelled. All were gone
over the wide waters of time and change.
A tender smile softened his sad face
as he recalled the stormy night when he
sat sobbing ON the steps of Mr.. Fon-
tenay's mansion. And little Pansie-the
remembrance of her sweet face, as he
saw it through the snow wreaths. haunt
ed him constantly. In all the fifteen
years never for one hour had he forgot
ten her. But she was gone, lost to him
forever.
His reverie was broken by the en-.
trance of a customer, a lady closely
clothed and veiled. She approached the
counter with jewel case in her hand.
would you buy these?" she said
simply, in a clear, sweet voice that stir.
rod tho vo,1ng mans heart as no other