ltry 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." The money they
obtained more than sufficed for their support, till Mrs. Harris so far
recovered, as to allow them again to resume their employment. They now
had no difficulty in obtaining work, and although obliged to toil early
and late, they became cheerful and contented; although they could not
but feel the change in their circumstances, and often contrast the happy
past, with their present lot of labor and toil.

The shopkeeper burnished up the setting of the diamonds and
placed the ring among many others in the show-case upon his counter. But
so expensive an ornament as this does not always find a ready purchaser,
and for some months it remained unsold. One afternoon a gentleman
entered the shop to make some trifling purchase, and, as the shopkeeper
happened to be engaged with a customer, he remained standing at the
counter, till he should be at leisure, and his eye wandered carelessly
over the articles in the show-case. Suddenly he started, changed
countenance, and when the shopkeeper came forward to attend to him he
said in voice of suppressed eagerness, "will you allow me to examine
that ring," pointing as he spoke to the diamond ring sold by Ellen
Harris. "Certainly, Sir, certainly," said the obliging shop-keeper, who,
hoping that the ring had at last found a purchaser, immediately placed
it in his hand for inspection. The gentleman turned the ring in his
hand, and carefully examined the sparkling diamonds as well as the
antique setting; and when he observed the initials, engraved upon the
inside, he grew pale as marble, and hurriedly addressed the astonished
shopkeeper saying, "In the name of pity, tell me where you obtained this
ring?" "I am very willing to inform you," said the man "how this ring
came into my possession. Several months ago a young girl, of very
delicate and lady-like appearance, brought this ring here and desired me
to purchase it. She seemed very anxious to dispose of the ornament, and,
thinking I could easily sell it again, I paid her a fair price and took
the ring, and that is all I can tell you about the matter." "You do not
know the lady's name?" said the gentleman anxiously. "I do not," replied
the man, "but I have frequently seen her pass in the stree