Year: 1871

mind as narrow as the neck of a half
ounce vial, and jealous of Dick into the
bargain, what should he do that morning
but send an officer after the ring.
You might have heard Mr.. Dean groan
clear across the street. The officer was
very polite, and listened to all the family
had to say, but whether he believed it or
not I've no means of knowing. All can
say, with certainty, is that old Mr.. Van
Duster interfered, and said if Dick could
pay the price of the ring, the lowest price
eight hundred dollars-he needn't go to
Jail the matter would be hushed up.


Eight hundred dollarsl Why, old Mr..
Dean Just earned his salt by tending to an
oven at a bakery. There was nothing in
the house of any value but Mrs. Deans
piano, and that wouldn't bring more than
three hundred OF course it went, though,
and John had to be written to Il don't
know what his blue blooded wife said y to
make up the balance. He did this in the
shape of a loan. l did think John was
hard-faced. He might have given Dick
the money for their mothers sake. 1t was
too bad for such a young fellow as Dick to
be saddled with a debt, even if he had
been careless.


After this the boy couldn't afford his
time to go to school,, SO he got a clerkship.
At first he held up his head with the best
of them, but after time the cold shoulder
was turned to him. The Van Busters
hadn't kept their word; the story was
whispered around that Dick had stolen
the solitaire and couldn't return it because
the Jew he had sold it to refused to give
it up


Dick was nearly wild He ran away to
work on farm in New Jersey. l believe
his mothers letters were all that sustain
ed him.


"Never fear, Dick" said she, " this mys-
terry will be cleared upin Gods good time.
We can't see why the trial was sent, but
perhaps it was to make you patient and
full of charity for others. You may de-
pend upon it as the truth, that


The sorrows of your youthful day


Will make you wise in coming years."


The old gentleman gave right up, and
the care of the whole family fell upon
Nell. She is shrewd little manager, and
has found enough embroidery and copying
to do to keep off starvation; as for clothes
they haven't had many.


She is most remarkable girl. Il do
hope she is coming round the corner y
All the amusement she seemed to have
was going to the door, standing on the
steps, and looking down the street.


More shingles, boys! I'm about out of
breath


All, well, what with Mrs Deans cough,
this mystery" and all, we have been a
suffering family but we have our bless
ings, not the least of which is Nell. We
have had some cosy times this winter, too,
popping corn over the Goals; but it's all
past now. They went to Thirty-fifth
street yesterday


don't know how I could have borne it
but for the reflection that was dying for
the good of the family. Yes, when l fall
murder will out! The ring comes to
light


Boys, you're sharp-eyed, but you won't
getit. l keep looking out for Nell; she
told her mother she should watch that
kitchen chimney when it fell


Bravo! There she stands! That's
Nell, the modest girl in the blue dress,
with the bird on her hat. Make way for
her. Bravo, Nell, I'm reeling. Hammer
away, ye iron-hearted men, I've got my
death-blow. Sharp, Nell, I'm dow-dow-
DOWN.


PLEASE, sirs, let me look here for some
thing?" says she.


Eyes, Nell, look in the northeast corner.
Hurrah! She's found it! That revives
me! Hurrah! wish had some hands
to clap Three cheers for the little girl in
bluel Farewell r-Our Young Folks