Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-05-28
ADiamond Ring
BY NJ QUAD
BY NJ QUAD
Copyright. 1910. by Associated Lit
erary Press.

still farmers hired man. Peter was
not stupid, but he was slow. He Ind
little education. but he got around TO
things II given time. Being slow and
good tempered and without argument,
Peter was taken by some folks as
weak In the top story.
One day Peter had to make a Jour
ney by rail II was his first ride on
the cars. but he made no mistakes.
He gave the conductor his ticket, hung
on to his seat with both hands, and
whenever the train stopped at a sta
ton he stopped with 1t. 1t tickled
him to find that he could catch on so
easily. BY and by he had seat
mate II was a sorrowful young man.
who kept one eye on the conductor and
wept with the other. His mother. who
lived in Chicago, was dying, and he
Ind no money to go to her and receive
her dying blessing.
Az the young man continued to
weep he aroused Peters sympathies,
and he finally got around to say so.
Then the young man explained that
there was q way, and one way only,
open for him to reach Chicago before
the spirit OF his dear mother took its
flight. He had diamond ring with
him-one that had been presented to
him by Mr. Rockefeller for not climb
ing Mount Mckinley and tearing his
clothes. 1t was n souvenir that he
hated to part with, but when a young
mans mother is dying what would
you have? He showed the jewel but
showed 1t very carefully. It was
wrapped In seven folds OF tissue paper.
The diamond itself was not quite as
large as a walnut, but those things
cannot always be regulated to within
carat or two The value was 5000.
Under the circumstances he would
part with it for $50. The sacrifice OF
1915 showed how he loved his mother
how anxious he was TO press her
wrinkled hand for the last time.
Peter Holt had $25 and little more.
The money went out OF his pocket, and
the ring went in, and for an hour he
trembled for fear the young man
would back out
AS a farmers hired man Peter was
slammed around any old way, and most
anything was considered good enough
for him. When he returned with that
ring he learned more OF human nature
in ten minutes than in all his life be-
fore. A special supper was placed be-
fore him, and he was told that he
needn't milk the cows that night
Very soon after breakfast the farm
ers wife began smiling at Peter. She
also used words OF fattery. She also
limited that as he had no use for a
diamond ring he present 1t to her. II
would be something for her to remem-
Der him as long as she lived. Peter
said he'd think 1t over.
The farmer had a daughter named
Betsey. That was the reason she
called herself Adele Peter had tried
to fall In love with her, but she had
Informed him that the gulf between
them was as wide as the Atlantic
ocean. Now she showed disposition
to narrow the gulf to the width Of
the Erie canal.
Next day the farmer took Peter out
10 the barn and told him he was such
driver Of work that his wages must
be raised. He also said that Peter was
sharper than n razor and that there
wasn't q lightning rod man in the
state who could hold a candle to him.
He had had forty hired men in his
time, but never one like Peter Holt.
Then he wound up by Offering Peter
three dollar calf for the $500 ring.
Peter asked for six months time in
which TO make up his mind There
was Widow Glenn on the next farm
who he bad thought to court When
/ he began TO tell Of his love he was
hustled out or doors. AS he was going
the widow flung after him:
why. Pete Holt, you don't know
enough 10 come in when 1t rains. Do
you think I'm going to the idiot asy-
lum for a husbsnd?'
A week after the diamond ring was
brought home the widow called to
Peter over the fence 10 come down
that evening and pop her some corn
and see what was the matter with one
or her hens. Peter went His hair.
ears and nose were praised: 1t was
predicted that he would run for office
some day; II was remarked that his
/ wife when he came to get one, would
| be proud woman. other remarks
| were remarked, and poor Peter was
| about to declare his love again when
she asked for the ring as souvenir TO
euable the widow to remember that she
/ was forty years old that day She
/ would take 80 as one OF the incest.
/ sweetest things ever done for her.
| Pete didn't leave the ring He wanted
| time TO think about n
! Then the owner Of the next farm
I down the road wanted 10 hire Peter
away from his employer lie bad a
wife and three daughters and all want.
cd that ring None Of them got n.
Then 1t was suggested that he present
1t 10 church and let It be rofied for
the benefit of the heather Peter
didn't fall for n He was sdll hang
Ing on and enjoying the situation when
q