Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-11-24

rlgnb through nluls one was WIopPto lu u
tattered old scarlet cloak, and hood Of the
same was we'll drawn down over her head.
She gave quick nod at Ezra, and motioned
him TO take seat at her feet, which he did
with his heart humping as If he were be.
fore the Delpbic oracle. And when she
spoke he had TO bend his head and listen
very attentively, for not only did she NUT.
ter her words in very toothless fashion, but
she spoke IN so low tone that he had DIFF
Gculty in hearing what she sald.
al was expecting you, my son, aud know
what you came for; !" and then she held out
hand even more buttcrnut than her face,
shaking and tromulous hand; and Ezra
made haste to cross the palm with silver,
that, being as he knew, the time honored
custom. This happened before We had be.
gun to return to specie basis; and the sill.
yer was scarce, but Ezra had 10 his pocket
balf.dolar piece, with a hole in it and n
cross drawn over its face, which he had kept
many years for luck. So as there could be
no more auspiclous occasion than the present
for using it, he timidly placed 1t in the
gipsys hand, and again bent his ear atteu-
lively to listen to her unintelligible numb
ling.
IL know the design Of your heart, my
pretty gentleman" said the gypsy. at is a
certain maiden not hundred miles away,
only you have the faint heart that seldom
wins the fair lady. But il you could find n
pot Of money your spirit would grow holder.
Listen to me and obey me, and you shall
have your wish"
Ezra did listen with all his ears aud as
you may suppose, they were just then pretty
long and wide, aud capable Of taking in a
large amount.
"You must dig up every foot of land you
possess" proceeded the Gypsy "you musn 7
grow weary in your search, you must dig
continuously, aud plant and harvest, and dig
again, If necessary and mark my words, be
fore very long time you will find the pot
Of money, aud the maiden will be yours"
Ezra listened with faith and departed with
Joy in his heart. He followed the fortune.
tcller's injunction so well that all the country
side took to talking Of him after the gypsy dis
appeared. lie not only dug, but he plowel aud
sowed and narrowed he seemed taken with
q sudden mania for farming aud work, which
before seemed distrcssful and mouotouous
now that he had an object in view it was
full of excitement and interest. At first h,
dug and dug, looking for his pot of money
but as it did not turn up, he continued Il
dig, full Of faith, aud growing every da!
more interested in his own Efforts.
What an earth has got into Ezra Alden p
asked the neighbOrs one to another. why
he's taken to working like all possessed ha
hired man, too, and the pair OF EN- IRE a
work from the first dawn Of daylight to night
fall"
Whatever has got into him2 he's goin
to have the best crop of the year." answere,
one. Lucky fellow. Just when there
going to be a raise in -four, too, aud he Ia
no end of wheat growing, aud in a speudi
0 condition"
why, Clara, isn't that Ezra Alden
farm ?" asked the squire one day, as hi
daughter drove him past in her pretty pom
carriage.
Yes, sir" returned Clara, with fair
pink stealing into her checks.
n "llas some one else farmed it, then
asked the squire. There isn't another fart
around here fit to compare with it,"
The pink IN Clara's cheek deepenel to
lovely crimson.
"Oh, no, papa she said softly, "it is Ear
Mr. Alden has just developed sudde
talent for farming
rAnd FIRST rate talent | should say,
D said the old gentleman. "a man who ca
show such farm as that, can hold his hea
G as high as anyone"
Clara's eyes glowed aud sparkled. Sh
: touched her ponies lightly, and her happ
thoughts rushed off into the future ut u paC
to rival even their fast trotting.
/ As the neighbors had toretold, Ezra Aide
had particularly iue crops that season an
d his success at farming having also develope
his commercial ability, he sold all he had
d excellent advantage.
well" said Ezra, as he counted his gair
, and laid them securely 10 his money ba.
. Il have not found my pot Of money, but th
y little pile is not to be despised, and [ shal
keep on. by George, wonder il this
what the old Gypsy meant ?"
g Ezra had new some time on his hands {,
dreaming, and he took to signing for CiaT
10 once more, but 10 u much more hopefi
o spirit.
81 will ask her father" he thought, and
" he gives me encouragement, | will ask Clar
plump, il she will marry me-"
Now some young men would have thougl
it safer to win the daughters consent frs
but Ezra was too honorable for that.
"If the squire wouldn't have me" he sal
: to himself "its no use to ask Clara. ST
. never would disoboy her father. Aud
' shouldn't care half so much for her if 81
" would"
!. So he took his money bag in his hand, al
y sought the presence Of Squire Scudder
I" The squire sat reading a volume Of Il
= Pickwick papers, in his handsome oll.fas
toned parlor and being in genial mood,
!" received Ezra with the most encourag
= k:nl ness, and listened to all he had to S,
with benignant smile.
:, at is not great deal" concluded Ezr
. holding up his money bag, "but there's pIen
4 more where found this, SIR"
4 "And pray, where did you find it, Mr.. A
den2" asked the squire, somewhat tax,
!, back.
AT the roots Of my wheat and barly," a
IA swered Ezra, with laugh, adding, "to t.
the truth, sir, | consulted 4 fortune. tellt
u aud she told me to dig aud dig and | wou
= 6nd pot Of money. | have not found
n yet, but intend to keep on digging, aud
. dOu't doubt but shall 6nd it by.aud.by."
- Squire Soudder burst into a hearty lsug
-, and kindly patted Ezra on the shoulder.
3 IL don't doubt you will, my lad" he sn
y, cheerily. "IIonest industry is the bost p
1C Of money any young man ever found.
~ for Clara, you can talk it over with h
- yOursef-she's sitting there by the windC
~ hidden behind the curtains"
:, Now, that was dreadful mean for 4
" squire not to have given Ezra a kint
Clara's presence before but he didnt me
II. anything by it. 1t seems quite impos't
No for these old gentlemen to realize how seriO