The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-05-26
THE MOON TRIAL.

Arc the lips we cannot kiss!
THE MOON TRIAL.
Indian summer had come in coli
Virginny." A dreary haze hung in tn.
still air; the cardinal flower blazet
down by the river. 1t leaned far owe
the CLASSY stream, lingering to gaze a
its sweet reflection, ere it withered
the queen of the meadow flashed gol
den in the last rays of the setting sun
Ever and anon it bent graciously t
whisper at the drowsy clover at its feet
the pokeberry bushes by the fences
were flinging their red purple on stall
and leaf; like an eager painter. A mis-
! 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 "tinklinl
herd" that grazed lazily in the meadow
when, 10! the shrill laughter Of part.
out gipsying rent the air, and four opel
wagons, drawn by powerful horses, APP
peared, bowling on the soft Virgini;
road.
| Uncles and allnts, and cousins All,
friends; were there, all attircd as zip
sizes, and plenty of colored help, will
provisions and cooking utensils, in 8
rear conveyance. Behind all came
| Barking and panting) Black-eye
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
cUly-headed youth, with honest blue
eyes.
9Itis both,' continued aunt Hester,
glancing critically at the last ray of the
retreating orb of day. "and We ought to
stop and cal"
eyes, yesp 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, big
as cart-wheel,' replied his Cousin
Susie.
"And yellow as your Dress" answer
ed Dick.
II viii be as rcd as your hair before
We are Oh the road again." responded
Susie.
By this time both teams had stopped
md we're being unloaded. They had
q beautiful spot under a
chestnut tree in the meadow, near the
'oad. Here they pitched their gypsy |
and prepared to kindle y
ire. On high rock overhanging the
scene, and commanding view Of the
rising moon, perched dark-haired,
dask-eyed girl. No sooner had she
flung herself down than old, black
Aunt Cloe hobbled to the summit Of
the rock, whispering shrilly:
Honey, rs such news for you. Dis
AFTERNOON rs heard young Marse AL
fred nm Marse Fred talkin'
bout you in the woods. Dat was when
you was all fishin', chile. Dey bofe
said how as dey had tried for weeks to
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' te
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 tho word, chile-to abide bJ
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 hat
nursed when an infant. :'What 20,
laughin' bout, baby ?" as the girl sud
denly shook with merriment.
"To think, auntie, Of the imperti
nence Of those puppies Y replied Bes
sic. "Im nota china doll, or a bag 0
candy to be won at rattle continued
she with flashing eyes. "rhat is III
ways the way, auntie. The men W,
don't want pursue US reluctantly, Will,
the one we love stands coldly aloof."
-what?" asked Aunt Cloe, glanc
ing shrewdly at the girls eyes.
"Aloof what's dat?
Stands ut distance, Aunt Cloe
| with his back turned, thinking abou
his dinner, his hunting, his books-any
thing but the girl who loves him." an
swered Bessie, with great color.
"She lubs young Mars Gustave,
my %u y old Aunt Cloe, ~ she hob
plea BACK 70 her boiling kettle, "Ther'
ne SANS now alone, an IN sight OF Mis-
- z, ssle, nus back turned an, thinking
Man Gnstave, and the old negres
toucned ms arm. moment later "le
me read your pain,
de turned quickly. smiling: and ex
tended his handsome, strong whit.
hand.
4 T oees i. lady. she am younp mn