Norwich bulletin., 1913-11-05
IT WAS GLASS

Peter Holt had been born of farmer folks. He had worked on farm all his life, and at the age of 40 years was still farmers hired man.
 Peter was not stupid, but he was slow, He had little education, but he got around to things. if given time. Being slow and good-tempered. and without argument, Peter was taken by some folks as being weak in the top story.
 One day Peter had to make a journey by rail- It was his first ride on the cars, but he made no mis- takes. He gave the conductor his ticket. hung on to the seat with both hands, and whenever the train stopped at station he stopped with it. It tickled him to find that he could catch on so easily.
 By and by he had a seatmate. It 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 had no money to go to her and re- ceive her dying blessing.
 AS 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 way and one way only, open for him to reach Chicago be- fore the spirit of his departed mother took it's flight.
 He had a diamond ring with him one that had been presented to him by Mr. Rockefeller for not climbing Mount Mckinley and tearing his clothes It was a souvenir that he hated to- part with, but when young mans mother is dying, what would you have?
 He showed the jewel, but showed itsyery carefully. It was wrapped in seven folds of tissue paper. The dia- rn aS 4 2 nut, but those things cannot always be regulated to within a carat or two. The value was $500. Under the cir cumstances he would part with it for $25
 The sacrifice of $275 showed how he loved his mother-how anxious he was to press her wrinkled hand for the last time.
 Peter Holt had $25 and a little more. He had heard of diamonds and knew that they were bought and sold at the price of turniPs. He had also heard of ten-cent stores but this ring could not come from one of them.
 As a matter of fact after taking half an hour to think 1t over, he de- cided that he could oblige an anxious young man and a dying mother and drive a big bargain for himself by investing in that ring 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 way and most anything was considered good enough for him. When he returned with that ring he learned more of human na ture in ten minutes than in all his life before.
 A special supper was placed before him he was told that he needn't milk the cows that night: a third cup of tea was offered him; he was asked to change from his straw bed into the spare room.
 During the evening he told his story over at least dozen times, and the ring was inspected and reinspected until half an hour before going to bed, he was called Mir. Holt instead of Pete.
 He was not routed out at o'clock next morning to feed the stock. They let him lie in bed until ', and then it was honey and pancakes for break fast. Peter felt a warm glow stealing over him. He was receiving the difference paid to the rich, and he