She remembered an extensive jewelry shop, which she
had often passed, as she carried home parcels of work, and thither she
made her way. The shop-keeper was an elderly man with daughters of his
own, and he had so often noticed this pale sad-looking young girl as she
passed his window, that he recognized her countenance the moment she
entered the shop; and when in a low timid voice she enquired if he would
purchase the ring, he was satisfied that he was correct in his former
conjecture, that she belonged to a family of former wealth and
respectability. But young as she was there was a certain reserve and
dignity in her manner, which forbade any questions on his part. The man
had for many years carried on a lucrative business in his line and he
was now wealthy; and knowing that he could afford to wait till the ring
should find a purchaser he had no fears of losing money on so valuable
an article; and, as is not often the case in such transactions, he paid
her a fair price for the ring, although less than its real value. Ellen
returned, much elated by her success; the money she had received for the
ring seemed to them in their present circumstances a small fortune.
"Little did once I think," said the widow, as she carefully counted the
bank-notes, "that a few paltry pounds would ever seem of so much value
to me; but perhaps it is well that we should sometimes experience the
want of money, that we may learn how to make a proper use of it; and be
more helpful to those less favored than ourselves.
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