Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-07-18

possibly it might have some value"
"What! A scrap of white shtone like
that. Arrah, what's come over ye?'
There Is no harm in asking, is there?
Some one should be able to tell me
Whit it is made Of"
Philip from his small store of phys,-
cal geography knew that meteors were
articles of sufficient rarity to attract
attention, and he was tenacious vithal.
81 suppose that jewelcr would be
the best man to Judge. lie must un-
derstand about stones" he went on.
Maybe. But | don't see what's the
use. IT'S sheer waste of time. But
If y're set on hndln' out 60 to a big
man. These German Jews round about
here are omadhauns. They don't know
watch from a clock, an if they did
they'd chate ye."
Il never thought Of that. yet | ought
to know by this time. Thank you |
will 70 into the city"
lie took the pebble. which ne placed
in his waistcoat pocket. Walking
briskly. he traversed some part of the
sorrowful journey Of barely twelve
change his mood he did not know and
scarcely troubled to inquire. Last
night he hurried through these streets
In frenzied quest for death. Now he
strobe along full of hope, joyous in thu
confidence Of life and youth. His one
dominant thought was that his mother
had protected him. had snatched him
from the dark gate Of eternity. oddly
enough. he laid far more stress on his
escape from the meteor than on the
accident that prevented his contom.
plated suicide. This latter idea had
vanished with the madness that Undue.
ed it. Philip was sane again. morally
and mentally. He was keenly anxious
to justify his mothers trust in him.
The clustering wind, annoying to most
wayfarers, only aroused in him q spirit
of resistance, of fortitude. He breast
ed it so manfullv that when at last be
paused at the door Of great jcworv
establishment in Ludgate Hill his face
was flushed and his manner eager and
animated.
He opened the coor, but was rudely
brought back to a sense OF his sur
roundings by the suspicious question
of shopwalker:
"Now, boy. what do you want here"
The unconscious stress in the mans
words was certainly borne out by the
contrast between Philip. socia pariah
In attire, and the wealth of gold and
precious stones cut off from him by
panes Of thick glass and iron bars.
What indeed, did this outcast want
there?
Confused by the sudden demand and
no less by its complete obviousness.
PHILIP flushed and stammered
'I-er-only wished TO obtain some
information, sir" he answered.
Like all others, the shopman was
amazed by the difference between the
boys manners and his appearance.
'Information?" he repeated in his
surprise. What information can we
give your"
The wealth Of the firm oppressed
this man. He could only speak in ac-
cents Of adulation where the shop was
concerned.
Philip produced his white pebble
"What IS this?' he said.
The directness Of the query again
took his hsarer aback. without a
word. be bent and examined the stone.
Professional instinct mastered all 9th
er considerations
you pust apply TO that depart.
ment.' He Enthusiastically waved his
hand toward a side counter. Philip
obeyed silently and approached a
small, elderly parsonage, a man with
clever, kindly eyes. who was submit
ting 70 lnicroscopical examination
number of tiny stones spread out on a
chamois leather folding case. He
quietly removed the case when his
glance rested on the boy.
Well" he said blankly. wondering
why on earth the skilled shopwalker
had sent such disreputa BILE urchin to
him. Philip was now quite collected
in his wits. He held out the pebble,
with more detailed statement.
Il found this" he said II thought
that it might be valuable. and a friend
advised me TO bring it here. Will you
kindly tell me what it ISL"
The man behind the counter stared
at him for Il moment. but he reached
over for the stone. Without word he
placed it beneath the microscope and
gave it a very brief examination. TheL
he pressed it against his cheek.
"Wherc did you get IT." he asked.
Il found it where it had fallen on the
pavement"
Arc you suref"
"Quite sure
strange" was the muttered com
ment, and Philip began to understand
that his meteor possessed attributes
hitherto unsupported
But what is it?' he inquired after @
pause
"A meteortc diamond
"A meteoric diamond?"
Yes
as it worth much?"
"A great deal. Probably some hum
dreds of pounds"
Philip felt bis face growing pale.
That dirty white. small stone WORTH
hundreds Of pounds. Yet in his pocke'
he had twenty nine other specimens,
may OF them much larger than thu
one chosen haphazard for inspection,
and In the back yard Of his tenement
lay heaps of them, scattered about the
pavement like haistones after a show
er, while the meteor itself was COM
pact mass OF them. He became some.