The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-05-22
His Grandmother : 5
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Ring
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b. SARAH BAXTER

Jim Atwater was n of those low
able men who allow their hearts to
run away with their heads. He In
herited a fortune, but so many Of his
friends needed 1t that by the time
they got through borrowing there was
nothing left for Jim. However, his
credit was good, which enabled him to
continue to dress well and be able
to send flowers to his s~weethearts.
But after his bills had run a long
while without being paid no more
credit was given him. Then there was
a gradual dropping OF Of friends, both
men and women, till Jim found him
self out in the cold.
Among the girls who had received
many attentions involving the expendi-
ture Of money was Lucy EdmOnds, a
young lady Of independent means. She
was practical in all respects except In
loving Jim.
Jim's assets were reduced to q dia-
mond ring that had been handed down
to him from his grandmother. He had
shown It to, Lucy, who admired it
greatly and would have offered to buy
1t, but she knew that IL she did Jim
would give 1t to her, SO she said moth
ing about It except that she could not
respect him IL he parted with it.
Burton & Co., t%ailors, to whom Jim
owed money for clothes, put the &C.
count in the hands Of Miss Stevens, q
woman collector, who, being some
what acquainted with members Of the
upper ten thousand, showed great in
genuity in collecting bad debts. Among
other things that the collector knew
was that Jim was attentive to Lucy
Edmonds. What does the woman do
but call upon him, saying that Miss
Edm0nds had sent her as one Of a
number who would make up a sum
for charity. Miss Stevens told a pitt
full story of a widow with a dozen
children who needed help and said that
Miss Edmonds had assured her that
he would give her a nice sum for the
purpose.
This was putting a screw on Jim's
heart and another screw on his desire
to obey a request from the girl he
wanted. Not having a cent to give,
he took his grandmother's ring around
the corner to a %pawnshop. borrowed
$50 on 1t and, gave It to Miss Stevens.
The amount realized by this device
was about half Of what Jim owed his
tailors.
Miss Stevens, was SO proud of her In
genfous method Of collecting q debt
that she boosted Of 1t to an intimate
friend, who revealed it to several per-
sons, and It reached the ears Of Miss
Edmonds. She Immediately made the
round Of the pawnshops till she found
Jim's ring. redeemed it and, having 1t
in her possession, sent for Jim.
"Jim," she said, II have decided that
I can't be happy without you, SO will
marry You since you seem to want
me-"
Jim folded her in his arms. !
'"There is nj thing, however," Lucy
continued after her lovers transports
were somewhat exhausted. "There
must be no extravaganza on your part
connected with our engagement"
Jim declared that he was reformed
already.
I'm the matter of the engagement
ring, I desire that you give me the heir
loom that has been handed down to
you from your grandmother"
Tim waS mn r01v1o6
II would much prefer it." Lucy went
on, ito a modern one purchased espc.
cially, and by using it you will avoid
any EXPENSE
"But, my lear. love. what will people
say at my. moi, giving you a new ring?
They will consider me stingy."
1T doesn't matter what they say so
long as l am satisfied"
Very well. sweetheart; be it as you
say"
'Bring 1t to me this evening"
This evening"
"Yes: I m dying to possesait."
wouldn't tomorrow dot"
mo. Why do you. hesitate? Have
you parted with ftT' i
"Parted with It! Did you not. tell
me that you would cease to respect me
II ! did thatY'
"Jimr.. 60 at once and bring me the
ring, 4. NJ
"Impossible. 1 keep it in a safety
deposit vault and cant get It after
3 p.i m"
He said this 90 earnestly. with 80
honest.a c~ountenance, that Lucy burst
out laughing.
'sYou don't trust me. . lmroaned Jim.
Trust you! OF course I don't. You
haven't the ring. You were fooled By
a woman who said I had sent her to
you for charity. You had no money to
give her, 90 you went out and pawned
the ring. And vet you say You have
reformed ss 4 ss
II haye-from the moment you told
me that you would be mine B
'.Jim. l am making a fool Of myself