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

THE EMERALDS.
One wlntry afternoon in January, away
up in til bleak attic of a wretched tene-
ment house, pale sad-eyed woman sat
sewing. The garment upon which she
was engaged was very rich dress. The
twilight closed in rapidly, with blind
ing fall of snow. with a bitter, wailing
blast that made the windows rattle in
the easements. Still the pale-faced wo-
man stitched on.
Mother" piped a sweet voice from
the cot beneath the window, will you
get the fine dress done? Oh, mother,
Tn so hungry If 1 only had some tea
and bit of sausage"
She worked on steadily for a while,
pausing only TO brush away 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 a while longer, Flora.
Ross, come, my boy.
A manly little fellow came out from
the bedroom beyond.
''The fine dress is done, Ross, and you
must run home with it as soon as you
can. Miss Grace will be out of patince,
/ know. Tell her / couldn't finish it one
moment sooner, and ask her to give You
the money, We must have 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
bit of butter, and you must get sau-
sage, Ross. for poor little Flora
'I'll get them all mother" he said,
"and he back III time. You shall have
a big sausage, little sis, he added turn
ing to 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,
she piped, in her splendid bird voice.
Hadn't you better put on your thick
jacket, my boy?" continued his mother.
1.-The wind cuts like knife"
'.Pshaw, little mother, 1 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 impatience and anger. Her
dear 500 friends were assembled in the
halls below, and her handsome dress
had not come home. ''What did that
beggar woman mean by disappointing
me? %
At that moment there was 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.
"Tll never give her another stitch of
work" cried the angry beauty. 81 ought
TO have had it three hours ago. Here,
Fanchon, dress me at once-there's not
minute to lose. No 1 can't pay to-
night l haven't time. He must come
tomorrow"
''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, Fanchon p command
ed Miss Oracle. And the door was shut
in his face.
From the porch at the parlor window
Pansie watched the whole scene, her
violet ewes distended with childish
amazement.
''Poor little boy y she said 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 moment balancing her
self ON the tip of one dainty foot, her
rosebud face grave and reflective then
sudden thought flooded her eyes with
sunshine, and snatching something from
the table she darted down stairs. The
servant had just closed the street door,
but she fiuttered past him like hum
ming bird and opened it.
On the steps sat Ross, brave little fellow
that he was, his face in his hands, Sob
hing as if his heart would break.
''What's the matter, little boy?" ques-
toned Pansie.
Ross looked up half believing that il
was the face of an angel looking down
upon him thr ugh the whirling snow.
.'Oh, 1 cannot go home without the
money!" he sobbed; ''poor mothe,
worked hard, and Flora is sick and hun.
gry."
'.Here. !" she said, do take this, little
boy, and buy her lots of nice things.
'Tis worth good deal; papa bought ii
for my birthday present, but do take il
and welcome"
she extended her dimpled hands, and
something like shower of stars fell al
the boys feet, He caught it up in amaze
ment-a necklace of emeralds, lustrous,
cleaning things, set in tawny Indian
gold.
"No, no." he cried, running up to
where she stood. 81 cannot take this
necklace-take it back"
ssYou shall take it." she said imper.