The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-03-10
THE HAND OF FATE.

THE HAND OF FATE.
When was still going to school, in
the graduating class, to be sure, and
past sixteen, and very large for my age,
four of us made up our minds, on Satur-
day afternoon, to have our fortunes
told.
There was gypsy camp out on the
common beyond the town, with vans,
tents, cauldrons and the whole para
phernalia of gypsy life, and everybody
walked or rode out to visit it. We de-
cided to walk. and as it was bright,
cool day, enjoyed ourselves much better
than II we had been cooped up in the
stage, or even in carriage.
1t was October. Some of the foliage
had changed color little, and there were
red and golden tints amongst the greens.
Now and then the wind shook the trees,
and scattered showers OF leaves upon
the road. Purple asters and golden rod
were still in bloom. Here and there
grew crimson squaw berries, and bitter
sweet burnt like gold along the stone
fences. Each Of us gathered a great
bunch, and we held them in our hands
as we entered the path that led into the
hollow where the camp lay. Young and
romantic, we were ready to be delighted
with cverything-with the swarthy
gypsy selling colt to stout farmer;
with old grandmother dandling dusky
baby on her knees, and the dirty, black
eyed children squatting about every
where.
Therewere visitors in plenty. and most
of the women were busy telling fortunes
As we approached, q woman, who had
been sitting on fallen log, arose, and
man, who had been talking to her,
pulled his hat over his eyes and turned
away, like the villain in q melo-drama.
The woman wore wide-brimmed straw
hat, with wreath of artificial flowers
around it. Her hair was dressed stiffiy
and primly in well-oiled "bands.' She
had lowered delain gown, and q little
red wooden shawl covered her shoulders.
She certainly was neither young nor
beautiful. as the gypsy maid'' Of song
and drama must inevitably be; but she
smiled amiably upon us. and calling us
pretty young ladies'" asked if we would
have our fortunes told.
Clare, our spokeswoman, declared
that to have been our intention in COM
ing, and we soon proved the truth of the
adage, "a fool and his money is soon
parted" by dropping each dollar into
the gypsy's palm.
WHO shall / begin with, pretty
ladies?" asked the woman. ssAnd will
You have your fortunes told privately or
togetherp''
Clare answered that we had no secrets
from each other and that ''this young
lady" indicating Belle with the point OF
her parasol, ''would be the first to have a
glimpse into futurity."
Belle, blushing rosy red, put out her
little hand, and we all listened while the
gypsy told her that some one with .
title, lord or duke, would cross the
sea to fall in love with her; that she
would live in a palace beyond the ocean
and be waited on like a queen. There
was more. but / have forgotten it. Belle
was delighted and Rose was the next
victim.
The gypsy told her that she would
marry . great musician, and we all
laughed. for we knew that Mr.. Martelli.
who taught the piano to the graduating
class, was very much in love with her.
Then Clare seated herself ON the old
log and opened her hand. palm upward.
1t was likge and handsome. Glare was
something like Lady Jane, not pretty
put massive" The gypsy told her that
she would be soldier wife.
Oddly enough it really happened not
year afterwards. We were all at the
wedding. The next day Colonel V
rode out OF the town at the head of his
regiment. He never came back. Clare
wears her widows vail for him vet. and
his miniature lies over her heart day and
night forever.
But where have strayed TO? Let me
go back 10 the bright autumn dav. and
me gypsy camp, and the four school
girls. half knocking. half believing, yerv
merry and . little frightened. L was
my turn. and sat before the dark, hard
eyed woman, with q face like . smiling
ogress carved in black walnut, and list,
cned - abe peered at the lines in NV
palm.
"You are . tall young lady. Mas ),
she said. at last; "but YOU 90 to school
yet You are fond of music. and VIM
have an elderly gentleman relation Who
takes You out good bit to places ~
and the like. don't -.
whether it's your papa or your grandpa,
but it's 4 relation.
This was so true that came nearly
crying out 1T i Uncle Henry" but I
bethought myself in time.
"1ou wear blue good deal" she
wsRs On. "sad you have Z blue fan, At