Her friend, who had told her about the school, simply to please and
interest her, begged her not to think any more of giving away the
necklace, and spoke to her of something else.

"No," said she, "I cannot keep it, now that it has come into my mind
that I ought to give it to you for the school. You must take it.
Forgive my weakness; the thought of my dear departed mother brings
the tears to my eyes."

"Think again, then, before you give away this precious necklace,"
said the good man.

She put the necklace into his hand, and said, as she did so, "I have
thought of it again, and I have decided to give it."

He took it, and left the generous-hearted girl, praying that she
might recover, but fearing that he should never see her again.

Not long after this, in a steamboat, he met a gentleman with whom he
had much conversation upon various subjects; among others the
institution for the instruction of the poor runaways. He mentioned
among other things this poor girl's gift, and her grief at parting
with her mother's gold necklace. "I hated," said he, "to take it.
She will not stay here long, and her pleasures are very few." He
mentioned also the name of the town in New Hampshire where she
lived.

"That is my native place," said the gentleman to whom he was
relating the story. "Will you let me see the necklace?"