The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-06-30

for farming and work, which before had
been distasteful and monotonous, now that
he had an object in view, was full of ex
citcment and interest.
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 hi,
own efforts.
"What in the world has got into Ezra
Alden ?" asked the neighbors one of al
other, "Why he has taken to working
like one possessed. He's hired man, too
and the pair of EN- 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" an
swered one. Lucky fellow. Just when
there's going to be rise in -four, too, and
he has no end of wheat growing, and il
splendid condition"
"Why, Clara, isn't that Ezra Alden
farm ?" said the Squire, as his daughter
one day drove him past it in her pretty
pony carriage.
Yes, sir" she replied, with faint
pink stealing into her clear pale cheek.
Has some one else farmed it? There
isn't another farm around here fit to COM
pare with il.
The pink in Clara's cheek deepened to
a lovely crimson.
"Oh, no, papa, she said softly, sit
seems Ezra-Mr. Alden-has just devel-
oped sudden talent for farming"
" And very first-rate talent, / should
say. 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. Her happy
thoughts rushed off into the future at a
pace to rival their fast trotting.
As the neighbor had foretold, Ezra
Alden had particularly fine crops that
season.
His success at farming having also de-
veloped his commercial ability, he sold all
he had to sell at excellent advantage.
"Well, said Ezra, as he counted his
gains and tied them securely in his money
bag, 81 havn't got my pot of money, but
this little pile is not to be despised, aud |
shall keep on. BY George | wonder if
this is what the old gypsy meant?"
Ezra had some time on his hands for
dreaming He took to signing for Clara
once more, but in much more hopeful
spirit.
will speak to her father, he thought
"and if he gives me encouragement, viii
ask Clara to marry me.
Now some young men would have
thought it safer to win the daughters con-
sent first, but Ezra was too honorable for
that
II the Squire won't have me, ho said
to himself "it's no use to ask She would
never disobey her father. | should not
care half so much for her if she would"
So he took the money bag in his hand
and sought the presence of Squire Scudder.
The Squire sat reading volume in his
handsome, old-fashioned parlor. Being in
a very genial mood, he received Ezra with
the most encouraging kindness, aud lis
tened to all he had to say with most be-
nignant smile.
1t is not great deal, concluded Ez-
ra, holding out his money bag, "but there
is more where | found this sir
And pray, where did you find it, Mr..
Alden?' asked the Squire, rather taken
aback.
At the roots Of my wheat and barley, "
answered Ezra, adding with n laugh, ito
tell the truth, sir, | consulted fortune
teller, and she told me to dig and dig, and
dig, and ! would certainly find pot of
money. haven't it yet, but intend to
keep on digging, and do not doubt but
what | shall ind it after while"
Squire Scudder burst into hearty
laugh, and kindly patted Ezra on the
shoulder.
II don't doubt but you will, my lad, /"
he said cheeringly. "Honest industry is
the best pot of money any young man ever
found. As for Clara you can talk that
matter over 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 hint of Clara s
presence before, but he didn't mean it.
1t seems quite impossible for these old
gentlemen to realize how serious such mat
ters are to boys and girls.
Squire Scudder rose with nod and n
smile, and went away, leaving Ezra in dire
confusion, staring at the window curtains,
and wishing the floor would open and
swallow him.
But it didn't. Indeed, the window cur
tains opened, and lovely young lady step
ped out from them.
$50, Mr.. Alden" she said coming for
ward, "you consulted a gypsy fortune teller,
too 2"
"0h, Miss Clara-you have
heard everything" stammered Ezra, sink
ing into the chair from which he had risen
in his first CONSERVATION. "What terri
bic fool you must think me"
But DON'T have great confidence
in that gypsys predictions. "
Then you consulted her too2" asked
Ezra.
"Dozens Of times-she positively had
all my small silver"
"Wcll, she got but single piece from
me, that is one comfort, said Ezra, recov-
ering somewhat, aud veuturing to laugh
slightly
"Nas it anything like this?" asked
Clara, producing one from her pocket aud
holding it forward on the palm of her
cream-like hand.
Ezra looked and started and gave little
cry. II was his own lucky silver piece.
He glanced into the laughing, blushing
face; and then for the first time, he looked
straight into Clara's eyes.
They were very, very dark, and won
derfully brilliant, but this time they did
not seem to look through him-they sank
before his glance, and veiled themselves
under lovely, long, black lashes.
"0h, Clara" murmured Ezra, "then
you were the gypsy2"
"0f course / was.
"And you knew | loved you all the
time p
Certainly l did, you foolish fellow;
4 Al :. II. Il L. a. A