The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-03-31
STREWING HEMP SEEDS.

" tuS dUCt&ES
STREWING HEMP SEEDS.
"Coming next week?'
eyes, Rosie, he'll be here for the New
Year, if nothing happens
Rosie tossed her yellow ringlets, and
put up her red lips in childish pout.
81 shall hate him, Aunt Eunice. I'm
sure I shall. The simple fact that am
betrothed to him, willy-nilly, would set
my heart against him if he were prince
among men,"
HE is a prince among men, my dear,
and you'll be sure to like him when you
have seen him." replied Aunt Ennice,
quietly.
II ten you I'm sure not to like him.
insisted Rosie. "Poor papa made very
great mistake; he should have left me
free"
ut would have been wiser; perhaps
but your father had looked upon Ben as
son 80 many years, and felt 80 sure of
him making good husband"--
IAN old poke, twice my age,' pouted
Rosie.
ooh, no, not quite so old as that. But
walt until you have seen him. Never
cross bridge till you come to it, Rosie.
Ben won't be here for week yet. When
he is here, and you have seen him, and If
you really dislike him, I dare say he will
not compel you to become his wife,
"But promised poor papa on his
death bed to, and promise to the dying
is sacred.'' - .a
Pretty Rosie was no kith or kin to
Aunt Eunice, only an adopted child, cher
lshed and loved for her dead fathers
sake, and Ben was Aunt Elnice's only
son, Calcutta agent, who had not seen
his native land for years, and who had
parted from his promised bride when she
was little miss in pinafores.
But after his old friends death, and
Rosie's promise to become his wife,
whenever he saw fit to come home and
claim her. Ben had sent home a hand
some ring, and Rosie wore it on her pref
ty finger. And now he was coming in a
week. -
''Don't fret, Rosie. Wait till Ben is
here and you have seen him"
a"Seeing him won't make me change
my mind," retorted the wiltul girl. Il
have him IN my minds eye nova poky
old togy, just like Mr.. Sykes, the parson.
Oh, dear''
81 trust the case will not be quite so
bad as that, Rosie. But what a1e you 60
ing to do with all those hemp seeds, my
dear-feed the pigeonss''
''Feed the pigeons indeedp' cried Ros-
lie, transferring the seeds to her pocket.
"Why, auntie, I'm going down to Hazel
Hollow to try my fortune. All the girls
are doing it. Jennie Burr strewed hemp
one dark evening month or so ago, and
the handsomest young man came follow
ing her, and now she's engaged to him.
Aunt Eunice laughed, AMI crossing the
room, drew the girls head to her breas,
and kissed her tenderIy.
YOU'RE good child, Rose, only Bit
wayward, and trust you may be very
happy, dear, whether you ever marry
Ben or not. There, ran along, and streW
your hemp seeds, if you must, and hurry
back to supper" ....,.
Rosie threw on her shawl and scarlet
hood, and ran away, like the silly child
she was. e 80.
The sun was quite down, when she
reached Hazel Hollow, and the shadows
lay dark and thick in the wild glen. Rosie
was not the bravest little woman in the
world, and her heart gave great throt
of fear as she walked on under the whis
pering willows.
At the edge of the hollow she fell
sorely tempted to turn round and rur
back to Aunt Eunice's cherry fireside
but thought of Jennie's Burrs success
urged her on. She drew out handful
of the magic seed and started across tn,
glen. ''... .'. ."a,A IL ,-@'s Z g
Hemp seeds strew, hemp seeds SOW;
Let my true love follow me and now"
She repeated the charmed couplet in s
little qulvering voice, strewing her seeds
right and lett. She was half across the
gloomy hollow before she could muster
courage to look back. ... .@
When she did glance over her shout
der, sharp cry burst from her lips. Mo-
far behind her came a tall, manly figure
with something that looked like veri
table sythe In his hand. Rosie shrieked
started an instant and then sank down or
the damp ground, scattering her precious
seeds as she fell.
She awOke to consciousness some time
after, with full moon shining in bel
eyes. and a pair Of muscular arms sup
porting her head.
"Oh, where am IsWhat has happened2'
she cried out IN dismay, as she struggled
to her feet.
Nothing has happened" replied s
deep voice; only you were strewing hemp
and followed you"
Rosie ventured one wild glance. A
handsome, bronze, bearded face ben,
over her.
"Let me go home," she faltered, tremb
ling like frightened bird, "home t.
Aunt Eunice."
No man shall ever take you from me
and In token of my claim you shall veal
this
A heavy gold chain flashed over he,
head, and quaint, carved locket hung
upon her bosom.