Year: 1869

dler | would be so saving for the mex
three months, that dear papa would los,
} nothing by my trade


, When l picked up the linen band to put
1t round my neck, did not know how tc
fasten it at first without that familiar old
J pin, but then l recollected how often the
girls had told me that bow of ribbon
wuGld look so much prettier; so looking
up a small piece of black velvet, I form
ed a bow, and felt quite satisfied with the
effect.


prepared supper that evening; but as
father did not come at the usual hour,
fed my little flock and put them to bed
each clasping closely the present given by
that generous peddler, for the poor little
innocents had never owned such treasures
before; and | sat down to wait, and think
over how l should tell my father of the
eight dollars, and wondering if he would
prefer paying Immediately to waiting three
months, as the man had suggested.


AT ten o'clock | received note, say
ing business detained my father, and that
| had better close the house and retire.
This was nothing very unusual, as the
post-oiiice receipts had to be overlooked at
times; so | went to bed, and did not
wake until late Sunday morning. Hur-
rying down to prepare breakfast, I met
my father at the foot of the stairs.


You are late, DEAR" he said kindly !;
but thought he looked more anxious than
usual.


The children came in to breakfast, and
Sunday though it was, they each brought
their present in to show to father, and
he asked how they came by all these
pretty things. I only said, "Wait until
L get the children off to Sunday school,
and will tell you all about it, father"


So | made short work of it, for their
Sunday clothes were all ready; and as
soon as they were fairly off, 1 went out in
the garden where father sat, under the old
apple-tree, and was eager to begin my
tale, when father said" Sit down Ma
bel, have something to tell you. But
first let me ask you to bring me that
breastpin | haFo seen you wear; l see
you have not got it on this morning as
usual"


l was frightened at once. That old
thing, that no one had ever noticed before,
why should it become so important all at
once?


" Father, have not got it r' I ex-
claimed at once, ready to cry.


&c Not got it, What do you mean,
child? You surely wore it yesterday n'


90 Yes sir" l replied :. but was just
going to tell you, when you frightened
me So"


g Well don't wish to friahtcn you,
dear; so calm yourself while tell YOU of
letter | received yesterday and then you
can get the pin at yopr leisure"


Oh, yes I can get it-or rather you
can, father; but hope you will not blame
me if [ tell you"


" Never mind that at present." said
my father, let me speak now" And
he continued: "Well, dear, we have
never attached any value to that old pin,
only that good, kind woman gave it to
your mother to keep for you, as she had
named you, and the same old-fashioned
name was on the back of the pin. Soon
after this, the poor old lady was called
back to England; but the vessel she
sailed in was lost, and we never heard any
more about her-never knew her history.
Yesterday there came to me letter from
a lawyer in Loldqn, asking for informa-
ton Ct that old pin, describing it perfectly,
even to the lost set and the name on the
back. And now, my little Mabel, what
will you think when | tell you that you
are rich lady-a great heiress-eh p"


My heart was beating fast, but | man
aged to say" Why how can that be, fa-
ther 2"


!" The pin we taye always set such lit.-
tie value on was of great value. 1t APP
pears that the centre diamond alone is
worth at least fifty thousand dollars"


Diamonds!" l exclaimed and then
[ must have tainted, for when I came to
myself l was lying on the lounge in the
sitting room the children were at home,
and it was too late to go to church. 1 felt
bewildered, and trembled yet, but listened
attentively to my father as he read the i'm
portant letter from London. Then |
sprang up wildly and exclaimed" o fa-
ther do hasten down to the tazern; you
will be in time; for the poor pedder who
has my pip is to spend Sunday there"


Father did not understand me at first,
but thought this sudden fortune had surely
turned my brain. But explained it to
him, told him of the eight dollars l owed
the man, and how glad he would be to get
the money and give up the pin. But ia
tAer knew more of the world that his fool
ish child, and was not so hopeful.


However, he thought it best to go, and
for me to 60 with him. So in few mo-
ments we were walking down the village
street, every one we met looking at us in.
quiringly, thinking it strange we were not
at church,


The landlord was sitting alone on his
front porch, smoking quietly; he looked
surprised when we walked up the steps,
but very politely invited us into the par
lor, explaining that all his women folks
had gone TO meeting.
Father asked him at once if there was
not pad1lar efnunipo Nth b;n,