Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-07-07

he refused it; but said, as it was getting
cold, if the old man would play them a
spring, he would be glad to be allowed
to dance reel.
Permission was at once given, and
the minstrel asked for his partner a
pretty gray-eyed, modest looking maid
en-, whose graceful movements ne had
watched in the dance. She readily
gave him her hand, and such dancing
was seldom seen by those present.
When he led her back to her friends,
he offered her few primroses from a
small bouquet he had gathered by the
river side, and turning to another fair
girl, he offered her the remainder of the
flowers, and begged her hand for the
next dance. She tossed her head indig-
nantly, and her looks said plainly,
"Do you think I would dance with a
Gypsy % She had taken the flowers out
of his hand, but she broke them, and
cast them away, saying suddenly, 4
don't care for flowers, and I'm not
going to dance with you, thank YOU"
The young man turned away hastily,
and the maiden who had danced with
him said to her companion, "How
could you wound the young mans feel
ings SO? What harm could it do you
to dance with him ? And oh the dear
primroses; the first I have seen this
year; see, you have broken them;" and
Ellen bowed down and gathered the
scattered, flowers, and carefully placing
them among those given herself, fixed
them liz her belt.
Chow could you rather dance with a
fellow like that-likely one of the gang
of tinkers that passed yesterday !? And
will you really wear the flowers he
gave 2" replied the maiden with scorn-
full sheer.
CT wear the flowers for their own
sakes. How could you break them-the
beauties? replied Ellen, caressing the
bouquet with tender touch !" as for
dancing with the young man, [ am sure
I am quite ready to Go SO again, were it
only for his delightful music"
Margaret drew herself away in digni-
fed silence. She was quite Mortified at
the conduct of Ellen; and the young
man, who was lowering near, and watch
ing the maidens, again offered his hand
to Ellen; and, anxious to heal the
wound her companion had given, she
danced with him gladly. He saw she
was enraptured with his music, and he
was delighted when, at the close of the
festival, she asked him to proceed to
her fathers house, where she wished
to hear again his sweet strains. She had
an old piano-not very good one. but
nevertheless one that gave her pleasure;
and she wished to try some of the tunes
he bad played to the dancers. Ellen's
sisters were very much afraid she had
compromised the family dignity by
dancing with this stroller and they
grumbled about her asking him to their
home so late in the evening. He went,
however; and after Ellen and | imseli
had discoursed music for considerable
length of time, to the delight of the old
folks, who were rather proud Of Ellen's
musical taste, he rose to leave.
They offered him bed in the barn,
but he said he had to be miles away
before daylight; so Ellen gave him a
piece of money and stuffed his pockets
with bread and beef and large piece OF
cheese, at the same time begging Of
him if he ever came that way again to
Il
his minstrelsy.
Sir Evan returned to his own castle,
but he could not Danish the image OF
the gentle Ellen from his heart. When
he slept or woke he always saw her as
she stood fixing the broken prinroses
in her belt-looking SO sweet and pretty
in her white dress and blue ribbons, and
her ripping brown hair tossed both by
the evening breeze and by the dancing
and at length, when her mother renew
ed her attacks upon him about getting
married, he told her of the maiden he
hao learned to love so well.
The lady was dunfounded. Was her
darling son, the pride of her heart, to
we'd nameless, humble bride. But
as she pondered The matter over she
became more reconcilcd to it. IF he
loved this maiden his happiness was
concerned; and what was his true
happiness was hers. So after a short
silence, that almost seemed years, she
raised her head and asked Sir Evan ii
he had cause to think the maiden
returned his love?
81 dare not say she does, mother y
he replied; s'yet, think she thought
tenderly of the strolling musician. ]
think there was a sigh of regret for his
not being the son of neighbor farmer.
/ could read that in her dark gray eyes,
even when she was not the least con-
scious of it herself"
"God bless you, my dear son, y
replied the good lady, with tremor in
her voice, s'Goa bless you, indeed; SO
amiable maiden must prove a sweet
companion; and she must be in a
measure accomplished, according to
your statement; and if it is for your
happiness, I am reconciled.'
The young man kissed his mothers
hand with tenderness and gratitude;
and he went at once to order out his
carriage Tor the interesting journey. He
dressed with great care and finer look
ing man could seldom be seen.
His well-knit limbs were 1.-the and
hardy-looking, and showed the nimble
huntsman Or the brave soldier, as occa-
sion might demand. His dark hazel
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