The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-02-28
THE HAND OF FATE.

THE HAND OF FATE.
When was stiIl 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 q bright,
cool day, enjoyed ourselves much better
than II we had been cooped up in the
stage, or even in . carriage.
twas 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 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 10 be delighted
with everything-with the swarthy
gypsy selling colt to . stout farmer;
with old grandmother dandling a dusky
baby on her knees. and the dirty, black
eyed children squatting about every
where. @
There were 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
q 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 q wide-brimmed straw
hat, with q wreath of artificial flowers
around it. Her hair was dressed stiffiy
and primly in well-oiled ssbands." She
had lowered delain gown, and 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 FIVE would
hsve 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, ga fool and his money is soon
parted" by dropping each dollar into
the gypsy's palm.
s.Who shall 1 begin with, pretty
ladies?' asked the woman. "And will
you have your fortunes told privately or
together7''
Clare answered that we had no secrets
from each other and that ''this young
lady. Indicating Belle with the point Of
her parasol, s.vould be the first to have q
glimpse into futurity.n
Belle, blushing rosy red, put out her
little hand. and we all listened while the
gypsy told her that some one with q
title, a lord or duke. would cross the
sea to fall in love with her; that she
would live in q palace beyond the ocean
and be waited on like 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.
It was large and handsome. Clare was
something like ..Lsdy Jane, not pretty
but massive The gypsy told her that
she would be q soldiers wife
q year afterwards. We were all at the
wedding. The next day CoIonel V
rode out Of the town at the head of his
regiment. He never came back. Clare
wears her widows vail for him yet, and
his miniature lies over her heart day and
night forever.
But where have strayed TOP Let me
go back 10 the bright autumn day. and
.-ihe gypsy camp, and the four school
girls, half mocking, half believing, very
merry and n little frightened. 1t was
my turn, and sat before the dark. hard.
eyed woman, with face like q smiling
orress carved in black walnut, and list
encd as she peered at the lines in my
palm.
..You are tall young lady. Miss, >
she said, at last; ssbut YOU go to schoo
vet You are fond of music, and yoI
have an elderly gentleman relation WHIT
takes You out q good bit to places o
amusement and the like. I don't se'
whether it's your papa or your grandpa
but lisa relation.
This was so true that came nearl,
CRYING out, s.It is Uncle Henry" but
bethought myself in time.
.You wear blue a good DEAL" sh
went on, ..and you have blue fan. A
q concert one evening 1Ou uIOppCL ~
The gentleman who picked it up Is to b
your hush end. The stars say So"
s.How W hits you turn, Essie," erie
Clare.
II feel faint" said. It's true
dropped q blue fan ct the opera whel
Patti sang Trayiata, and q gentlema
picked it up, but should not know hir
from Adam"
you'll meet him again. however
Miss" said the gypsy. "Some Sunday 9
church he viii hand you pray er-boo
with the place marked with
flower; when you see that you wi
know your fate has come His firs
name Is Robin. He has black eyes
black hair and dimple in his chin dee
enough to put your finger in; and
wears q mustache."
I certainly had enough for my dollar
We all walked home together rathe
seriously, but in . day or two the inn
precision passed away, and We almss
forgot how strong it had been.
The rest of October was very unpleas
ant. We had prayers in the school-roor
instead of going TO church. But on tn
first Sunday in November the sky wa
blue and the air clear, and We all se
forth for church together.
1t 80 happened that there were fou
new scholars, and the seats belonging :
the school were full; four OF us were LED
over to claim the oourtesy OF our neigh