Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-05-04
STREWING HEMP SEEDS.
Coming next5week ?"

Coming next'weekY
"Yes, 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, Pm
sure shall. The simple fact that / am
bethrothed to him, willy-nilly, would
set my heart against him If he were a
prince among men,"
"He is prince among men, my dear,
and you will be sure to like him when
you have seen him." replied Aunt
Eunice, quietly.
81 tell you I'm sure not to like him, y
insisted Rosie. Poor papa made a
great mistake; he should have left him
free"
at would have been wiser, perha ps,
but your father had looked upon Ben
a. son so many years and felt so sure
of his making good husband"
"An old poke, twice my age, psut-
ed Rosie.
"Oh, no, not quite 80 old as thai. But
wait until you nave seen him. Never
cross bridge till you come to it, Rosie.
Ben won't be here for n week yet.
When he is here, and you have seen
him, and if you really dislike him |
dare say he'll not compel you to be-
come his wife,
"But promised poor papa on his
death bed, too, and promise to the
dying is sacred"
Prettie Rosie was not kith or kin to
Aunt Eunice, only an adopted child 4,
cherished and loved for her dead
fathers sake, and Ben was Aunt Fun
ices son, Calcutta agent, who had not
seen his native land for years, and who
last 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 hand
some ring, and Rosie wore it on her
pretty finger, and now he was coming
in q week.
"Don't fret, Rosie. Wait until Ben
is here and you have seen him."
"Seeipg him won't make me change
my mind" returned the willful girl.
81 have him in my minds eye now
pesky old fogy, just like Mr.. Syker,
the parson. Oh, dear !"
81 trust the case will not be quite so
bad rs that, Rosie. But what are you
going to do with all those hemp seeds,
my dear--feed the pigeons ?"
Feed the pigeons, indeed y cried
Rosie, transferring the seeds to her
pocket. "Why, aunty, Pm going down
to Hazel Hollow to try my fortune.
Jennie Burr strewed hemp one dark
evening, month or so ago, and the
handsomest young man came follow
ing her, and now she is engaged to
him."
Aunt Eunico laughed, and crossing
the room, drew the girls head to her
breast and kissed her tenderly.
"You are good child, Rose, only a
bit hayward, and ! trust you may be
very happy, dear, whether you ever
marry Ben or not. There, run 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 silly child,
as she was.
The sun was quite down when she
reached Hazel Del, and the shadows
lay dark and thick in the wild glen
Rosie was not the bravest little woman
in :he world, and her heart gave great
throb of fear as she walked on under
the whispering willows.
At the edge of the hollow she fell
sorely tempted to turn round and rur
back to Aunt Eunce's CHEEKY fireside
but a thought of Jennie Burr's success.
urged her on. She drew out a handful
Of the magic seed and started acros.
the glen.
Hemp seeds strew, hemp seeds l sow
Let my true love follow me and NOW"
She repeated the charmed couple
in a little quivering voice, strewing he,
seeds right and left. She was hal
across the gloomy Hollow before sh,
could muster courage to look back.
When she did look over her should
er q sharp cry burst from her lips
Not far behind her came tall, mani,
figure, with something that looked Xix,
veritable scythe in his hand. Rosi
shrieked, stared an instant, and thel
sank down on the damp ground, scat
tering her precious seeds as she fell.
She awoke TO CONSCIOUSNESS som
time after, with full moon shining il
her eyes. and pair Of muscular arm
supporting her head.
ooh, where am |? What has hap
pened ?" she cried out in dismay, a
she struggled to her feet
Nothing has happned," replied
deep voice; ''enly you were strewip
hemp, and l followed YOU"
Rosie ventured one wild glance.
handsome, bronged, bearded face bel
above her.