Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1894-06-14

! voyage the next day--he was a sail
: or-and tha. night he went into tn
house with me, and told erandm
OF his prospects; how after this yoy
age ne hoped to be a captain him
self. and in a position to take goo,
care OF a wife. And grandma ha,
blessed US both, aud Mark had gon,
away, bidding me goodby for thre,
years, but promising to write when
ever he had an opportunity to sent
letter; and from that day to this
had never heard from him. Th,
vessel was wrecked, and but few o.
her passengers and crew survived
aud We could Raip< sidinss >
Mark. Doubtless be had, like u
many Others, found watery grave
The news Of the wreck came but a
short time before grandma's death,
all my sorrows---loss of lover. home
and friends-seemed to come at one
blow.
But it would never do for me to
SIT and think of these things. |
must go and part with the last re-
minder of them before my courage
failed me; so hastily putting on the
old hat and shawl, which were all
that Mrs. Hoxton had left me of nv
plain but neat stock of out-of-doo
apparel, | veutured forth for the
first time in many weeks into the
streets. They were fast growing
dark, the lamps were lighted in the
shops, and everything looked bright
and cheerful-a mockery to my sad
feelings.
My first thought had been to 90
to pawnbroker's; but at every step
my dread OF entering such place
grew greater, TIL at last / was really
turning back, saying to myself that
L must wait until the morrow, when
| caught sight of sign over a Jew
eller's door.
| remembered the name. 1t was
that of gentleman for whose wife
| had sometimes done some sewing.
L had met him occasionally when
went to the house, and he had al
ways spoken politely-which was
more than | could say for the hus-
bands of some of the ladies for
whom | had worked.
a new thought came into nv
mind. / would go in, and ask the
jeweller to advance me the worth of
my tumble for a few days, AMI if
did not then call and redeem it.
he might consider that | had con-
cluded to part with 1t.
| hastened in, lest should falter
IN my resolution again. Fortu-
nately, the shop was empty, or near
iy so, and the proprietor stood at
leisure, near the door. He did not
at first seem to recognize me, but
as | addressed him by name, he ut
tered a slight exclamation of sur
prise.
Excuse me- he said kindly, 'but
| fear you are i'll. Can | be of any
assistance to you p
"Thank you,' I stammered. I'll
am not ill-that isl have been
and | stopped suddenly, feel
ing how useless it was to attempt
the quiet speech | had intended;
and fumbling in my pocket, des-
perately produced my thimble, and
murmuring something incoherent-
ly about needing some money un-
expectedly, and repaying it before
many days, held it out to him in
stupefied sort of way, hardly know
ing what | meant myself.
But he seemed to comprehend me
after a moment, aud said, quietly, |
You would like an advance on this.
Certainly. 1t is quite unique he
continued, examining it, and quite
valuable. How much did you wish
for p
l said something-'whatever it
was WORTH perhaps-and added
some sort Of an inquiry as to how
long he would keep it for me.
%, as long as you like. Don't
hurry yourself about it, he an
swered with so compassionate
tone that ! nearly broke down in
my efforts at self-control.
by the by he said, as he handed
me a much larger sum than had
expected-probably much more than
the thimble was ever worth-smy
wife is very much in need of some
one to sew fo- her, aud if you could