Richland beacon., 1881-01-29
FoUND---A DIAMOND RING.

L saw 1t kicked by the careless balmo-
raj of jauntv nurse. / saw Il fat morsel
of humanity make for it with IL hey
broken into diverse hcy-es-cvs hy pudgy
trotting, and I stopped and secured it,
thereby causing the fat one To pull up
short, stare at me with two black cur
.ants set in II drcary expanse of dough.
insert Il duinpy thumb lii an oriiice of
the same cxpansc, and trot back again
with that stolid resignation under disap-
pointmcnt which is the peculiar attri-
butte Of the London infantile population.
Having asccrtained the nature of my
prize, l proceeded to mediate on the
proper course to pursue, which medl-
t9tion resulted in the following adver-
tisement:
FoUyD.-Ths evening. Wednesday. In Re-
gents Park. nearly opposite the New College. q
valuable diamond ring. The owner may re-
cover it ty calling at No. 10 Winton place, etc.
Before noon, on the following day, [
was making my most courteous bow to a
vcnerable-looking old gentleman, whose
white face and benevolent smile added a
double charm to the grace with which
no stepped forward, and, waiving cere-
mony, extended his hand, saying:
lyon have taken a great weight from
my mind, my young friend, and must
allow he to thank You."
The insinuating delicacy of the ad
jcctivc Il am not more than ~ WAS,
perhaps, not without its effect. / ac-
cepted the proffered pledge of amity in
respectful silence.
a young man," continued the patri-
arch, "may possibly find it difficult to
understand how the loss of trinket
can be the source of positive suffering
to an old one butt am alluding to
my lost ring there are associations
connected with i: which-ahem This
is childish; You will excuse my emo
| tion."
bowed profoundly in the presence of
| his natural emotion.
81 have passed some hours of Sleep
lessness and distress, from which yOu
have been the means of relieving me l
feel deeply indebted to you. There re-
mains nothing now but to reimburse YOU
| for"
Excuse me, sir" 1 stammered, rath-
er hurriedly, "but, if the ring is yours,
you can undoubtedly describe its
1
"ArmOrial bearings, Sir 1t was q
diamond ring"
Certainly"
"a plain diamond ring" repeated the
old gentleman, sternly. "Do not at
tempt to play tricks on me, young man.
l will point out to yOu directly"
81 beg your pardon" said 1, drawing
back from the Outstretched hand, "but
as the ring in my possession is surely
engraved with crest and motto, con.
clude it cannot be the one You are in
search Of"
The old gentleman eyed me for mo-
ment keenly.
81 am afraid you are right" ht
sighed, in tone of deep detection ; 81
must seek further. Alas ! what mel
ancholy termination of my hopeful jour
ney."
"Speed the parting, welcome tn,
coming guest" is very good motto
l made no attempt to detain my vener
able friend but as he turned towart
the door 1 am certain / saw, beneatl
the silver hairs, a lock of dark and shin
ing brown.
Ny next visitor was a lady, extensive
ly got up, of imposing height and car
riage, rouged, scented, spectacled.
"we meet under singular circum
stances" began this lady, with conde
scending haughtiness 81 am ,ne prin
cipal of a college for young ladies'"
With deferential bow at the homo
done me, L begged to know what hadpro
cured it.
"In the hours of recreation We ar
accustomed to promenade in the park
J delightful spot, so suggestive OF tn
blushing country. During our rambl
yesterday young lady under my charg
, was so unfortunate as to lose her ring
y You, sir, are the fortunate finder"
, Il certainly did, madam, pick up
ring, but"
"Ah, how grateful nv pupil will be a