The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1876-09-20


"you mustn't grow weary in your
seal ch-you must dig and dig, contiu-
uously, and plant and harvest, and
dig again, if necessary and, mark my
words, before very long time, you
will find the pot of money, and the
maiden will be yours"
Ezra listened with faith, and de-
parted with JOY in his heart. He full
filled the fortune teller's injunctions so
well, that all the country side took to
talking of him after the gypsy disap-
peared. He not only dug, but he
ploughed and sowed and narrowed
he seemed taken with a sudden man
ia for farming and work, which before
had seemed distateful and monoto-
nous, now, that he had an object in
view, was full of excitement and inter-
est. At first he dug and dug, looking
for his pot of money but as it did
not turn up, he continued to dig, full
of faith, and growing every day more
interested in his own efforts.
"What on earth has got into Ezra
Alden ?" asked the neighbors, one of
another. "Why he has taken to work
ing like all possessed. He's hired
man, too, and the pair of 'em are at it
from the first dawn of daylight to
nightfall."
"Whatever has got into him he is
going to have the best crops of the.
year." answered one. Lucky fellow.
Just when there's going so be a raise
in -four, too, and he has no end OF
wheat growing, and in SPLENDID con-
dition."
"Why, Clara, isn't that Ezra Alden's
farm ?" asked the squire, as his daugh-
ter one day drove him past it, in her
pretty pony carriage.
"Yes, sir" returned Clara, with a
faint pink stealing into her clear, pale
cheek.
"Has some one else farmed it then ?"
asked the squire. "There isn't anoth-
er farm around here fit to compare
with it,"
The pink in Clara's cheek deepen
ed to a lovely crimson.
80, no, papa," she said softly, sit
seems Ezra Mr.. Alden, has just de-
veloped a sudden talent for farming"
"And a very first rate talent, l
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 spaFkled
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 Of farming
having also developed his commercial
ability, he sold all that be had to sell
to excellent advantage.
"Well," said Ezra, as he counted
his gains, and tied them securely in
his money bag, 81 haven't found my
pot of money, but this little pile is not
to be despised, and l shall keep on
BY George! | wonder if this was what
the old gypsy meant"
Ezra had some time on his hands
now for dreaming; and he took to
signing for Clara once more, but in @
much more hopeful spirit.
II will speak to her father" he
thought sand if he gives me eneour
agement will ask Clara, plump, i
she will marry me"
Now some young men would have
, thought it safer to win the daughter
consent first; but Ezra was too honor
able for that.
eff the squire won't have me-" he
said to himself, "it's no use to ash
/ Clara. She would never disobey hel
father. shouldn't care half as mucl
) for her if she would"
9 So be took his money bag in hi
I hand and sought the presence o
t Squire Scudder,
The squire sat reading volume o
I the Pickwick Papers in his handsom
: old-fashioned parlor and being in
!. very genial mood, he received Err
I with the most encouraging kindness
a and listened to all that he had to ga,
I with benignant smile.
/ at is not great DEAL" conclude,
Q Ezra, holding up his money bag, "bu
there's plenty more where found thi
/ sir"
b "And pray, where did you find il
S Mr.. Alden ?" asked the squire, rathe
s taken aback.
0 "At the roots Of my wheat and ban
e ley" answered Ezra adding, with
d laugh, "To tell the truth, sir, ! cor
It suited a fortune. teller, and she toll
p me to dig and dig, and would Gel
tainly find pot of money. l haven
| fnrrI "a rrnA hnt infnnH 10 knnn n