Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-03-13
MONEY.

Scudder, and sometimes in moments Of
great oXaltatiou-for he was n modest
youth, as every true lover should be-he
had dared 20 think that she did not
froWn upon his passion. BIT Clara was
the Squire's daughter ard an heiress,
while Ezra was but a small farmer, and
so far from successful in that pursuit that
1t seemed absurd as well as impossible
that he should aspire to the hand of the
lovely Miss Scudder, who had been
courted in vain even by fine city gentle
men. So he had sighed and cast longing
looks from his place in the choir twhore
he sang in n fine tenor voice on Sundays
into the Squire's pew; and more than
once he thought pretty Clara blushed
brightly, and he knew well enough that
she always smiled, sweetly, and her voice
when she spoke to him had caressing
sound, and altogether her manner toward
him was not discouraging.
Bat Ezra would not be encouraged.
He felt that it was useless for him TO askthe
Squire for his daughters hand unless he
had good POT of money in his own hand
with which TO back his proposal. So, in
stead of trying to compass the desired end
by increased industry he neglected his
little farm more than before. and spent
his whole time in wishing that he could
find rot Of money somehow in the man
ner of old-fashiOned stories-at the foot
of tree or Under the foundation of his
house.
Suddenly rumor spread abroad that a
wonderful gypsy had appeared. OF course
the rumor reached Ezra Alden, and
| equally, of course, he was much exercised
in mind concerning it, He found out the
| place where The fortunc-tellCr OWNED
| these fair fortunes, and one evening,
| after watching the sun slowly disappear
| behind the western hills, he repaired
! thither stealthily. She was a very old
| woman bent almost double; her lined
| and Wrlnkled face was the color Of but
! ternut, and the tanglcs of her hair hung
! in elf-like grizZled lock about her brow
! and over her checks but her black eyes
! had a wonderful brilliancy and such q
keen look that they seemed to see right
! through him.
81 know the desire of Your heart. NV
| pretty gentleman" said the gypsy. 1T is
a certain maiden not q hundred miles
! away, only you have faint heart that
| seldom wins fair lady. But if YOU could
| find pot OF money your spirits would
| lie holder. Listen to me and obey me. and
you shall have Your wish. You must dig
up every foot Of land you possess; you
mustn't grow weary in your search-you
must dig and dig continuously.
and plant and harvest, and dig again, if
necessary; and, mark my words, before
a very long time You will find the pot OF
money and the maiden will be yours"
Ezra listened with faith and departed
with Joy in his heart. He had fulfilled
that all the country side took to talking
of him after the gFrsy disappeared. He
not only dug but he plOwed and sowed
and narrowed; he seemed taken with a
sudden mania for farminr. and work
which before had seemed Gistasteful and
monot0nous, now that he had an object in
view, was full Of excitement and interest.
At first he dug and dug, locking for his
Pot of money; but rs it did not turn up
he continued to dig, fill Of faith, and
growing every day more interested il his
efforts.
Ezra Alden had particularly fine crous
that season; and his success at farming
having also developed his commercial
ability, he sold all lie had to sell to excel
lent advantage.
well" said Ezra as he counted his
gains, and tied them securely in his
money bag, q haven't found nv not of
money, but this little pile is not to be
desp!sed, and | shall keep on. BY George
I wonder if this is what the old gypsy
meant"
Ezra had some time on his hands now
) for dreaming; and he took TO signing for
Clara once more, but in a more hopeful
spirit.
thought land, If he gives me encourage
ment vii! ask Clara, plump, if she will
marry me-"
hard and sought the presence Of Squire
ScuddCr.
III: Squire sat reading n volume of the
"Fickwick Papers " in his handsome old.
, fashioned parlor, and being in Il very
genial mood, lac received Ezra with The
mCst encouraging kindness, and listened
to all he had to say with u benignant
? smile.
1T is RIOS q great deal" continued
Ezra, holding up his money bag, but
there's more where found this, sic"
And pray where did you itnd it. Mr..
AlGcn?" ask the Squire, rather taken
: aback.
answered Ezra, adding, with Il laugh
"To tell the truth, sir ! consulted Q
fortune-teller, and she told Ineto dig and
dig, and would certainly find poo OF
money l haven't found it yet, but I in,
tend to keep on digging, and I don't
doubt but shall find it by and by"
Squire Scudder burst into hearty
! laugh, and kindly patted Ezra on the
shoulder.
81 don't doubt but you will, my lad. :" he
said cheerily. Honest industry is the best
: pot of money any young man ever found
As for Clara, You can talk over that mat
ter with herself-she's sitting there by the
window, hidden behind the curtains"
Now that was drcadf1lly mean of tho
t Squire not to have given a hint of Clara't
presence before, but he didn't mean it. II
y Seems quite Impossible for these old gen
tlemen TO realize how serious such mat
ters are TO boys and girls.
y Squire Scuddcr rose with Q nod and &
smile and went away, leaving Ezra il
). dire confusion staring at the window orr
tairs, and wishing the fcor would oper
and swal ow linn. But it'didn't. Instead
/, the window curtains opened and a lovell
young lady stepped out from them.
80, Mr. Alden" she said stepping for
: ward, "yon consulted the gypsy fortune
= teller, too"
60 Miss Scudder-ClarG-you have
, heard everything, .stanunered Ezra, sink
ing into the chair from which lie had riser
III his first CONSERVATION, What a terri
bic fool you must think met"
But | don't-I have great confidence
in that gypsy's predictions
"Ihen you consulted her, too? ?" asked
Ezra.
Dozen of times-she beguiled me o
all my small silver"
= "Well, she got but single piece from
1 me, that's some comfort, said Ezra, re
d covering somewhat, and venturing t,
!, laugh slightly.