Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-01-11
The EmeraIds.


light closed in rapidly, with binding fall
Of snow, bitter, wailing blast that made
the windows rattle in the easements. Still
the pale-faced woman stitched on.
SMOTHER" piped sweet voice from the
cot beneath the window, " will you get the
fine dress done Oh, mother, Pm so hungry
If only had some tea and bit OF sausage
She worked on steadily for a time paus-
ing only to brush tear from her white
cheek, then arose and shook out the glim-
mering robe.
"'Tis done at last" she said. "Now
mothers little girl can have her supper;
only be patient little 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 fast as you can.
Miss Oracle will be out OF patience, know
Tell her l 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 mite of butter, and you must
get sausage, Ross, for poor little Flora
I'm get them all, mother" he said, and
be back in time. You shall have big sau-
sage little SIS turning toward the cot.
The girl nodded her curly head and her
great wistful eyes sparked with delight
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 the mother.
"The wind cuts like knife"
"Pshaw little mother, don't mind the
wind" and away he went down the creaking
stairs and out into the storm. Miss Oracle
in NJ M
patience and anger. Her dear five hum
bred friends were assembled in the halls be-
low, and her handsome dress had not come
home. "What does that beggar woman
mean by Disappointing me2"
At that moment there was ring at the
door and a voice in the hall.
"Please tell Miss Grace my mother could
not finish it sooner; she wants the money
tonight"
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, Fan
chon, dress me at once-there's not min
ute to lose. No, can't pay tonight;
haven't time He must call tomorrow
"But we've no fire and nothing to eat,
and my little sister is SICK" called the boy,
"Shut the door, Fanchon" commanded
Miss Oracle And the door was shut in his
face.
From the porch at the parlor window
Pansie watched the whole scene, her violet
eyes dstended with childish amazement.
"Poor little boy she said, as Ross disap-
peared 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 herself
on the tip of one dainty foot her rosebud
face grave and reflective; then sudden
thought flooded her blue eyes with sunshine,
and snatching something from the table she
darted down stairs. The servant had just
closed the street door, but she futtered 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
if his heart would break.
"What's the matter, little boy2" ques-
toned Pausie.
Ross looked up, half believing that it was
the face of an angel looking down upon him
through the whirling snow.
"Oh cannot go home without the money"
he sobbed "poor mother worked hard, and
Flora is sick and so hungry"
Here" she said, edo take this, little boy,
and buy her lots of nice things. IT'S worth
agood deal; papa bought it for my birthday
present, but do you take it and welcome"
She extended her dimpled hands, and
something like shower of tears fell at the
boys feet. lie caught it up in amazement
necklace OF emeralds, lustrous, cleaning
things, set in tawny Indian gold.
"No, no." he cried, running up to where
she stood;"I cannot take this necklace
take it back"
VI, oh fal aha
iously. 81 have lots of fine jewelry and
fine things-run home now and buy your
sister something to eat"
She closed the door with bang, and Ross
stood irresolute in the stormy gloom. Should
he ring the bell and return the jewels to
Pansie's father or should he do as she babe
him? He thought OF his mother and poor
little Flora watching wistfully for his re-
turn. He could not go back and see them
starve. With sudden feeling OF despera-
ton he thrust the glttering necklace in his
pocket and dashed down the street.
The gaslight blazed brilliantly in fash
ionable jewelry establishment and the bland
proprietor looked down inquiringly ON little
Ross as he approached the glittering counter.
Would you like to buy this, sir ?"
There was tremor in the boys voice as
he asked the question, and the hand that
The lapidary took the gems, examining
them closely for moment, and then shot a
sharp glance at the child.
See here" he said, presently, his voice
stern and commanding, 81 want to know
how you came by this 7"
The boys clear eyes fell he blushed and
stammered, evidently embarrassed. The
jeweler put aside the emeralds, and, taking
the lads arm, he led him to a small ante
room.
"You are thief, SIR" he said. "That
necklace belongs to Mr.. Fontenay-he
bought it OF me not month ago. You stole
it you are 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 | knew it was wrong to take
it, but-my mother and sister are starving
You don't look like thief" he said
"but | will send for Mr.. Fontenay; that
will settle the matter at once"
He dispatched messenger accordingly
and Ross sat down in a corner and sobbeo
bitterly as he heard the driving wind anc
thought OF his mother and poor little Flora.
In half an hour Mr.. Fontenay came, bring
ing his little daughter, Pansie, with him
The little creature darted toward Ross lik,
humming bird, while her cheeks were al
ablaze and her eyes flashed like lightning.
" He didn't steal my emeralds p she criet
out. 81 gave them to him to sell them, ant
buy some bread for his little sister"
Ross sprang to his feet, struggling hard t.
keep back his tears He put out his littl,
brown hand, which Pansie Instantly caspeC
in her chubby hands.
81 am not thief, sir" he said, address
ing Mr.. Fontenay; I" / never stole anythin,
in my life; know it was wrong to TAX
the Observation-Disclosures, my little siste
is starving"
The merchant drew his hands across hi
eyes.
You're a manly little fellow he said
patting the lads head, and do not in tn
least blame you, but will take Pansie's EN-
eralds, and she shall give you something
more available. Here, Pansie, give this +
your little friend"
lie put gold piece into Pansie's hand
which she rendered to Ross, with the injunc
ton that he should run straight home an
buy lots of goodies for his poor little sister
This command he was not slow to obey.
al think we shall not lose sight of the Ii
tie fellow" continued. Mr.. Fontenay, a
Ross disappeared in the stormy darkness
"Shall we, pet Let us see what we can d
to help him. He is very promising youn
lad, and an honest one, ] am quite sure. M