The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-08-07
THE LOST TOKEN.

"a bitter night, Jacob" said Mr.. Sol
onions to his fashionably attired son; "a
bitter night The wind howls like a
pack of hungry wolves"
YES with yawn, twirling a huge
diamond upon his chubby finger; too
bitter, it seems, for even the most desti-
tute to venture out for loan, Not even
Il bed-quilt has been offered. The poor
wretches," with laugh, need every
rag they can muster such a night, sup
pose"
The old man made no reply as he EN-
ployed himself in ticketing sundry goods
which Law upon the counter.
1--WE should be doing rushing bust
ness on the eve of Christmas" continued
Jacob, "for even the poor on that day
long for good cheer, you know. DO you
recOllcct,' after pause, do you recol'
lect that woman, u year ago tonight,
who pledged her wedding ring that her
children might have merry Christmas,
and when she had the money clutched
in her trembling hand, begged you to LEI
her kiss the ring once more?
YES" replied the old man, Il remem
Der distinctly the groan she gave when
put it out of sight. What of her?"
Nothing, only | met her yesterday
with little shivering tot of girl lead
ing her along. She is blind, stone blind
| The woman sewed day and night, i
seems, and has lost her eyesight i'll con
sequence. Women are such fools.
gave the child penny" the magnani
nous Jacob added, Though it is strict.
against my principles. People whit
can't help themselves have no right t.
| live and bother others. Those are tn
sentiments of all clear-headed people.
| His father made no reply, but abstract
edly gazed out of tie window.
| "Whew!n cried Jacob, "hOw the wint
tore at the latch that time. Your wolye
want to come in, father, and make th
acquaintance of your friend i'll sheep
clothing" at which speech the facetiou
young gentleman chuckled and twirle
the diamond upon his finger so vigOl
ously that it sparkled and laughed, an
seemed to wink at the old mans pensiv
face with malicious glee.
Then, for space, silence rcigned i
the loan Office of Mr.. Nathan SOlomonS
broken at last by the old man, who nut
tered, "Christmas, another Christina
day."
"There, there" retorted the son, al
glily, don't go off OH that tack agaiT
There's no possible use bringing II
things to make yourself uncomfortable
You did right, and if she went to d,
struction it amt your fault
'Yes, | did right" sighed the ol
man; 'but, Jacob, she was my ow
flesh and blood, and sometimes / shivC
and feel numb with cold as | think thi
that"
"Oh, there!n roughly said Jacob, "FN
had enough. You think more of thi
ungrateful creature to-day than you q
of me, though have worked and stuC
. to the business from the time | cOul
count the pennies in dollar"
''It takes nothing from you, JacO
4 that think sometimes of her, does It'll
"Well, don't bother me with yol
4 ,shivering and turning numb with u
i cold. 1t amt pleasant, for one thin
A and you're rich and comfortable for a
4 other. Rich!" added his hopeful so
4 ''and don't you forget that I've helpt
4 to make you So"
Hush" abjectly implored the o
4 man. as the wind tore at the latch agai
4 Don't let any one hear you say we a
a rich. We have hadIa hard struggle to e
4 along, Jacob, hard struggle, or v
Il wouldn't exact the last farthing fro
4 the poor as we do" he whined, Graf
A greedy look replacing the sadness of
Il moment before, while the wind glib,
4 and shrieked and walled about the wi
dows, seeking with ghostly fingers
B grasp the Jewels and ornaments fherei
4 sad reminders of happier days and on
time happy homes.
Father and son moved toward the glo'
E ing stove, Jacob rubbing his hands wi
r satisfaction at its kindly warmth.
a clark" said the old man, after
+ long silence: 'some one seems to
+ fumbling at the lunch"
II "Oh, can't get in cried a childi
4 voice. ~ is too little. Please, SON
body, let me in please"
a Jacob, with frOwn on his face stro
n toward the door.
II "Children seldom fetch anything
value to pledge" he grumbled. 81 ha
n 'em anyway"
IA child of some five summers look
timidly into his frowning face, then wi
" q sad shake of its mead, said, gently:
y II dess is gone wrong. Mamma 81
good old man with white hair wou
\ give me some money for her locket, a
then we'd get some supper and fiji
anu-Olli L dil 50 hungry anu cOlui ant
u is gone wrong"
Ii She wrung her tiny blue hands
misery, but her eyes seemed dry and h
Only a sob told Of her suiferings.
- "Shut the door, Jacob" said the {
man from behind the counter.
"Oh, that's the good gentleman, ''cri
the child, as she caught sight of hi
''the good old gentleman with VIII
90 hair"
90 'NO nonsense, mind" snarled JAG
90 TO his father. "Give her what
So 90 trinket is worth, and no more. You
''SS not look up to business tonight,
90 some reason or other. Here, wher
the locket?''
Z: e: The benumbed fingers essayed to fl
D' it.
s,I ;s so COLI ~ shn si,iva,.ad ut "a