Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-05-26
THE MOON TRIAL.

its sweet reflection, ere it withered
! the queen of the meadow flashed COL
den in the last rays of the setting sun.
Ever and anon it bent graciously to
whisper at the drowsy clover at its feet;
the pokeberry bushes by the fences
we're tlinging their red purple on stalk
and leaf; like an eager painter. A mist
lay on the distant hills, freshed flushed
with the thought of fall. Nature seemed
intoxicated with the red Wine of pleas
ure. All was still, save the thinking
herd" that graZed lazily in the meadow,
when, 10! the shrill laughter of party
out gipsying rent the air, and four open
wagons, drawn by powerful horses, APP
peared, bowling on the soft Virginia
road
Uncles and aunts, and cousins and
| friends; were there, all attired as zip,
sizes, and plenty of cOlored help, with
provisions and cooking utensils, III a
rear conveyance Behind all came
barking and panting) BIack-eyc
Pinkum and Snort, three of the smart
est and happieSt dogs in all Virginia.
'Now, children" spoke aunt Hester
lit Is after sunset"
Alas my stomach says it is after
| tea-time," interrupted Dick Jones, a
cWly-headed youth, with honest blue
eyes,
at is both, continued aunt Hester
glancing critically at the last ray Of the
retreating orb of day, 'and we ought to
stop and cat"
''Yes, yes" cried several merry
voices, stop and eat"
"After supper we will order up the
full harvest mOOn,' said Dick.
"GOOsey, there is the moon now, bic
as a cart-wheel," replied his Cousin
Susie.
And yellow as your dress" answer
ed Dick.
at will be as red as your hair before
we arc on the road again." responded
Susie.
By this time both teams had stopped
and were being unloaded. They had
discovered a beautiful spot under a
chestnut tree III the meadow, near the
road. Here they pitched their gypsy
encampment and prepared to kindle Il
fire. On a high rock overhanging the
scene, and commanding view of the
rising moon, perched a dark-haired
dark-eyed girl. No sooner had she
flung herself down than old, black
Aunt Cloe hobbled to the summit o.
the rock, whispering shrilly:
Honey, Is such news for you. Dis
AFTERNOON Is heard young Marse AL
fred an Marse Fred talkin
bout you in the woods. Dat was whe1
you was all fishin', chile. Dey boft
said how as dey had tried for weeks tc
see you alone, an dat drefful dragon
fly aunt Oh yOurn wouldn't low it no
how, an how as dey had determined tc
settle der troubles dis yere night any
how by AKIN you far and squar' tC
marry dem ?"
did they wish me to marry both, o.
only one ?" asked the girl merrily.
Only one, chile; an dey shook hans
when dey parted, an swore to abide
dat were the word, chile-to abide by
your decision, an be friends ever arter
Oh, Miss Bessie, t'ink de matter wei
ober, an take the right mani" sale
Aunt Cloe, stroking with loving hands
the silky black hair of the child she haC
nursed when an infant. "What you
laughin' bout, baby p" as the girl sud
denly shook with merriment
ITO think, auntie, of the inperti
nence of those puppies !" replied Bes
sic. "I'm not a china doll, or bag Of
candy to be won at a raffle," continued
she with flashing eyes. Chat is al
ways the way, auntie. The men VIC
don't want pursue us reluctantly, while
the one we love stands coldly aloof"
"A-what?" asked Aunt Cloe, glanc.
ing shrewdly at the girls eyes.
'hloof! what's dat?
Stands at distance, Aunt Cloe
with his back turned, thinking about
his dinner, his hunting, his books-any.
thing but the girl who loves him" an,
swered Bessie, with great color.
she hubs young Mars Gustave,
muttered old Aunt ClOe, as she hob
bled back to her boiling kettle, There
he STAINS now alone, an in sight of Miss
b. ssle, his back turned an thinking
Mars Gustave," and the old negress
touched his arm, aamoment later ''let
me read your palm"
Returned quickly, smiling, and ex.
tended his handsome, strong white
hand.
q sees a lady. She am young an
she am dark, " said the old crone, gianc
ing keenly at his face. ''She am rich
an she am proud, but she loves you
Mars Gustave Dis berry night two
suitors hab sworne to ak her ham. L
you lubs her, honey, dere is no time tc
STAN here thinkin'.'
And before the astonished gentlemen
could reply, old Aunt Cloe had hob.
bled away.
"Witchcraftw exclaimed he. "Is this
a cable dispatch of information and
guidance for me, direct from"
The Devils Soup Ladle." shouted
a voice from the encampment. "That<
the place"
1T is, is it," replied Gustave, under
his breath. Then [ tender thanks to
the Devils Soup Ladle for the informa.
ton, and will act upon it. Can it be
possible that Bessie loves me? There
she sits on q rock, with her consin Jack
and the dogs, while her two suitors-
| mistake them nOt-are drowning THEN
tender passion in the occupation vulgar.
| ly termed broiling frogs headquarters,
before the gypsy fire yonder. Philoso-
pliers, both of them, They catch frogs
and forget their troubles in cooking and
eating them. May they experience
more difficulty i'll securing and devour-
ing the desert which they propose to
tackle after the Frogs
And, with this hasty sililoquy upon
the frailty of man, Gustave Melville
glanced tenderly at the girl on the rock,
then at the moon, loosened his necktie,
as though to give freer play to his fancy,
muttered. as he faced for the encamn-