River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1881-05-26
THE MOON trial.

Ever and anon it bent graciously to
whisper at the drowsy clover at its feet;
the pokeberry bushes by the fences
were flnging 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, lol 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 gip-
sizes, and plenty of colored help, with
provisions and cooking utensils, in
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,
''it is after sunset"
ALAS! my stomach says it is after
tea-time," interrupted Dick Jones,
curly-headed youth, NTH 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 eat"
eyes, 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, big
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 are 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 in the meadow, near the
road. Here they pitched their gypsy
encampment and prepared to kindle u
fire. On high rock overhanging the
scene, and commanding a 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 of
the rock, whispering shrilly:
Honey, rs such news for you. Dis
AFTERNOON rs heard young Marse AL
fred an 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 OBJ yourn wouldn't low it no
how, an how as dey had determined to
settle der troubles dis yere night any
how by AKIN you far and squar' to
marry dem ?"
'Did they wish me to marry both, or
only one ?" asked the girl merrily.
only one, chile; an dey shook hams
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 well
ober, an take the right MANI said
the silky black hair Of the child she had
nursed when an infant. What you
laughin' bout, baby ~ as the girl sud
denly shook with merriment.
''To think, auntie, of the imperti-
hence of those puppies p replied Bes-
sic. I'm not a china doll, Or bag of
candy to be won at a rattle" continued
she with flashing eyes. "That is al
ways the way, auntie. The men we
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.
"Aloof! what's dat?
Islands 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 lubs 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 ssie, his back turned an thinking.
Mars Gustave," and the old negress
touched his arm. moment later "let
me read your palm"
He turned quickly, smiling, and ex-
tended his handsome, strong white
hand
81 sees a lady. She am young an
she am dark, said the old crone, glanc-
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. If
you lubs her, honey, dere is no time to
stan here thinkin'.'
And before the astonished gentlemen
could reply, old Aunt Cloe had hob
bled away.
"Witchcraft!' exclaimed he as this
cable dispatch of information and
guidance for me, direct from"
"The Devils Soup Ladle!" shouted
a voice from the encampment. That's
the place"
at 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 a rock, with her consin Jack
and the dogs, while her two suitors-lf
| mistake them not-are drowning their
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 in 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 ne faced for the encamp-
ment:
"Bv the blue imps which haunt this
spot, will know my fate tonight"
Nine o'clock found the party once
more upon the road. The moon was
high and quite as red, Susie affirmed,
as her Cousin Jacks hair. The soft and
balmy air was heavy with DELICIOUS odors
from field and wood. Crickets chirruped
ioyously in the bushes, and the fire-hies
flashed their tiny lanterns in the gloom
of the shadows Here and there stray
squirrel shot, meteor-hke, up the trunk
of tree, the stripes ON his back appear
ing distinctly in the moonlight; while
ever and anon a hoarse grandfather
bulfrog would give an explosive grunt,
as though suddenly awakened from a
bad dream and turning uneasily in his
mirv bed while, above all, the joyous
bark of the dogs and the gay voices of
the travellers rang out clear and sweet.
Ten o'clock found the little band I'M
loading for the night. AT last they had
reachad their destination, spot that
they had travelled twenty long miles to
see.