The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-11-23

RuR0 OOuSAe ~ IVA ~ VA es4<Ao
present, but do take it and vel
come"
She extended her dimpled hands,
and something like ashower of starl
fell at the boys feet. He caught
them up in amazement-a necklace
|of emeralds. Lustrous, cleaning
things, set in tawny Indian gold.
No, no,' he cried, running up to
where she stood. II cannot take
this necklace-take it back"
"You shall take it." she said i'm
periously-run home now and buy
your sister something to eat )"
She closed the door with o bang,
and Ross stood irresolute in the
stormy gloom. Should he ring the
bell and return the jewels to Pam
sizes father, or should he do as she
bade him? he thought of his moth
er and poor little Flora watching
wistfully for his return. He could
not go back and see them starve.
With q sudden feeling of despera-
ton he thrust the glittering neck
lace in his pocket and dashed down
the street. Ssa
The gaslight bla1ed brilliantly in
a fashionable jewelry establishment,
and its bland proprietor looked
inquiringly on little Ross as he ap-
preached the glittering counter.
"Would you like to buy this,
sir?7
Thsre wcsa tremor in the boys
voice as he asked the question, and
the hand that held the emerald
necklace shook visably. The lapi-
dairy took thegems, examining them
closely for minute, and then shot
a sharp glance at the child.
"See here" he said presently,
his voice stern and commanding /;
II want to know how you came by
this ?'
The boys clear eyes fe.l, he blush
ed and stammered, evidently en-
barrassed. 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 belong to Mr.. Font
enay-he bought it of me a month
ago.
Tne little fellow str ightened him.
self and his brown eyes blazed. II
am not thief" he retorted. "a
little girl gave it to me, but 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 / will send for Mr.. Font
eny that win settle it at once"
He dispatched a messenger ac-
cordingly and Ross sat down in
corner and sobbed bitterly as he
heard the driving wind and thought
of his mother and poor little Flora.
In half an hour Mr.. Fontenay came,
bringing his little daughter Pansie
with him. The little creature dart
ed toward Ross like humming
bird, her cheeks ablaze, her eyes
flashing like lightning.
"He didn't steal my emeralds J"
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 hand, which
Pansie instantly clasped with her
chubby palms.
II am not a thief, SIR" he said at
last, addressing Mr.. Fontenay; Il
never stole anything in my life. 1
know it was wrong to take the neck
lace, but-but, sir, my little sister is
starving"
The merchat 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
| will take Pansie's emeralds, and
she shall give you something more
available. Here Pansie, give this to
your little friend"
He put a piece Of money into
Pansie's hands, which she rendered
to Ross, with the injunction that he
should run straight home and buy
lots of goodies for bis sister-a
command he was not slow to obey,
II think we shall not loose sight
of the little fellow" continued Mr..
Fontenay, as Ross disappeared in
the stormy darkness. "Shall We
pet {? Let's see what we can do for
him. He's q promising young lad
and an honest one, I'm sure. Mr..
Lenox, you are in need ofan errand
boy why not try him ? | wish you
would"
The jeweler consented, to Pansie's
great delight, and the next day
Ross was duly installed as errand
boy in the fashionable establish.
ment.
Fifteen years after, one clustering
March morning, young man sat
behind the counter of a thriving
jewelry establishment in one of the
northern cities. He was hand
some man, traveller, q man of
taste, intellect and money, for he
was q junior partner in the firm,
which was prosperous one. But,
despite his good fortunes, Ross Dun
bar was not happy. His mother and
little Flora had gone to their long
home, and he was utterly alone with.
out 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 Wv
id that past seemed, and how dear
and sacred, despite its privations
and sorrowe. His eyes grew dim
and his heart swelIed. All we're
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.. Fontenay 3 mansion. And little
Pansie-the remembrance of her
sweet face as he saw it through the
snow wreaths, haunted him con-
stantly. Iuall tho fifteen years new
n l. n