Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-09-19
rs. NEW SERIES, VOL. XI. No. 80.

long and wide, and capable of taking in a
large amount.
| ''You must dig up every foot of land You
possess" proceeded the gipsy; ''you mustn't
| grow weary in your search-you must dig and
dig, continuously, and plant and harvest, and
dig Igain, if necessary; and, mark my words,
before very long time, you will fud the pot
OF money, and the maiden will be yours"
Ezra listened with faith, and departed with
| JOY In his heart. He fulfilled the fortune-
tsller's inJunctiOns we'll, that all the eoun>
try side took to talking of him after the gipsy
] disappeared He not only dug but he
| plOnghed and so8sd and narrowed; he seemed
tskeh with a sudden malia for farming and
work, which before had seemed distSsteful
and monotoDo1S now, that be had an object
IN view, was full of excitement and interest
AT hrst he dug and dug, looking for his pot
OF money but as it did not turn up, he con.
tinued to dig, full of faith, and growing every
day more interested in his own efforts.
What on Garth has got into Ezra Alden ?''
asked the neighbors one of another. "Why
he has taken to working like all possessed
He's hired man, too, and the pair of 'em are
at 1t from the first dawn of daylight.to night
whatever has got into him he is going
to have the best crops of the year." answered
one. Lucky fellow. Just when there's 60.
ing to be rise in flour, too, and he has no
end OF wheat growing, and in splendid condi>
ton"
"Why. ClArn, isn't that Ezra Aldep's
farm Z" asked the squire, as his daughter one
day drove him past 1t, in her pretty pony car
riage.
eyes, sir" returned Clara, with a faint
pink stealing into her clear, pale cheek.
elias some one e'se farmed it then ?" asked
the squire. ''There isn't another farm around
here ft to compare with it."
The pinkzin ClarA's cheek deepened to q
lovely crimson.
80, no. papa" she said softly, SIT seems
Ezra-Mr Alden, has just developed sud-
den talent for farming"
ga nd very frst-rate talent, should say"
said the old gentleman. "A man who can
show such farm as that can hold his head
as high as any one."
ClAra's eyes glowed and sparkled She
touched her ponies lightly; and her happy
thought rushed off into the future at a pace
to rival even their fast trotting.
AS the neighbors had foretold, Ezra Alden
had particularly fine crops that season and
his success at farming having also developed
his commercial ability, he sold all that he had
to sell to excellent advantage.
"Well, said Ezra, as he counted his gains,
and tied them securely in his money bag,
~ havsn't found my pot of money, but this
t'F'fr- - El.sll
+ keep on. By GeOrgel wonder if this was
what the old gypsy meant"
Ezra had some time on his hands now for
dreaming; and he took to sighing for Clara
once more, but in much more hopeful spirit
Il will speak to her father" he Thought
"and if he gives me encouragement | will
ask Clara, plump, If she will marry me-"
Now some young men would have thought
1t safer to win the daughters consent first
but Ezra was too honorable for that
elf the squire won't have me" he said to
himself, ''it's DO use to ask Clara. She would
never disobcy her father. l shouldn't care
half as much for her if she would"
SO he took his money bag in his hand and
sought the presence OF Squire Scudder
The squire sat reading a volume of the
Pickwick papers in his handsome old fash
ioned parlor; and being in very genial mood,
he received Ezra with the most encouraging
kindosss, aud listened to all that he had to
say with benignant smile.
at is not great DEAL" concluded Ezra,
holding up his money bag, "but there's plenty
more where found this, sir"
"ADd, pray, where did you find it, Mr.. AL
den Z" asked the squire, rather taken aback.
"At the roots of my wheat and barley"
answered Ezra; adding. with laugh, ITO
tell the truth, sir, l consulted fortune teller,
and she told me to dig and dig, and would
certainly find pot Of money. l haven't
found it yet but intend TO keep on digging.
and l don't doubt but shall fnd it by and
by"
Squire Scudder burst into hearty laugh
and kindly patted Ezra on the shoulder
81 don't doubt but You will my lad" he
said, cheeEiIy. Honest industry is the best
pot of money any young man ever found. AS
for Clara, you can talk over that matter with
herself-she's sitting there by the window,
hidden behind the curtains"
Now, that was dreadful mean of the SQUIRE,
not to have given Ezra hint of Clara's pres
ence before but he didn't mean it. It seems
quite impossible for these old gentlemen to
realize how serious such matters are TO bows
and girls.
Squire Scudder rose with nod and smile.
and went away, leaving Ezra in dire confu-
sion, staring at the window curtains; and wish.
ing the floor would open and swallow him
But it didn't Instead the window curtains
opened and lovely young lady stepped out
from them.
80 Mr.. Alden" che said, coming for
ward "you consulted the giFsy fortune. teller,
too?"
"Oh, Miss scudder-CI.ra-you have heard
everything" stsmmered Ezra, sinking into
the chair, from which he had risen 10 bis
first Consideration. What terrible fool
you must think me !"
But dOn's-I have great confidence in
that giPsys predictions"
Then you consulted her, too" asked Ezra.
Dozens of times-she beguiled me of all
my small silver"
well, she got but single piece from me,
that's some comfort" said Ezra, recovering
somewhat, and vensuring to laugh aightly.
Was it anything like this 2" asked Miss