Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-05-08


this farm. l hadn't seen him but once
before in my life-for he lived down to
Tennessee, a long way from here. Him
and Jeems, they walked all overlthe farm,
and it was far better cultivated place
then than now, though nothih' COM
pared to what 1t was in my fathers time.
Jeems' Uncle Alick didn't seem to think
much of it, though. Then he went over
the country looking up lands to buy for
his son, Alick, who thought of coming
this way to settle, If good prospect of
fered. But in the end he gave up The
idea, as he couldn't find jest what he
wanted"
Here she began slowly and deliber-
ately to clear the dough from her hands.
Lefty, seated on the top step of the
porch, looked up with quiet, expectant
eyes.
"The day that he went away" con-
tinued Mrs, Langly, with longdrawn
breath, the was standing here-yes.
right here where you are sitting-and
looking all around him on the fam. All
Of a suddent he says, Jemmy--Jemmy
and Mary'-turning to me I've one
thing to say to you before l 60. Stick
TO your farm, for there's a streak of
golden luck in it, Of course l asked
what he meant; but all he would say
was, Pve seen tive seen it by the
power that's given us to look into the
future. I've seen streak of gold-luck
running through your land that's to bet
ter your fortunes in good time Don't
part with it until your luck's found
And that same day he went away, and
the first we heard of him after he got
home, was that he was dead"
There was another pause, and Lefty
said:
"And you think there is really y vein
of gold to be found on your farm?"
"Jeems thought SO. To his dying
day he believed in it. Goodness how
much he thought about that gold streak!
Why, half his time he spent in hunting,
and digging, and scratching around;
and at last he went off to town and tried
TO get two men, that was used to the bus
mess, to come out and examine the land
to diskiver gold.
''But they only laughed at him, and
said no gold would ever be found in
Pike county. And then he thought
maybe there was gold money hid some
where on the place; so he dug under all
the rocks, and looked in the holler
trees, and was speshly keerful in digging
in the garden.
"But no pot of gold ever turned up;
and, meanwhilst, the farm got neglected,
and it seemed that more bad than good
luck was a-coming to us. Still, almost
on his death-bed, he said to me:
"Mary, don't you sell the farm if you
can help it. l believe, as faithfully as l
believe in anything, that that streak of
gold-luck will turn up some time. No
Langly ever yet prophesied what didn't
come to pass
''That was what he said; and so now,
Lefty, you know, as Robert knows, why
am unwilling to sell the farm"
"And what does Robert think about
it9" inquired the girl, with faint flush
on her cheek.
"Oh, he thinks it all nonsense-ab
the gold, and the second-sight, and all.
And as for me-why, sometimes l can't
but agree with him. And then, again,
there's feeling that there may be some
thin in it, after all-and that it may be
given to some folks to see what's going
to happen in the future. Just as we
know there were prophets of old, to say
nothing O. the Witch of Endor."
Just at this moment they heard Mr..
Davis buggy roll away, and Robert came
around the corner of the house.
He looked a little excited; but that
might be from finding Lefty there. He
walked home with her across the fields
to the next farm. When he returned he
said, quite abruptly
"Mother, Mr.. Davis wants to buy the
farm. He's offered more for it than |
ever dreamed it would bring. He seems
quite anxious to get it; and when I told
him that you objected to part with it,
he actually offered to let us off with the
balance of the mortgage, provided the
business is settled at once"
"Why, Robert, what can he meant"
81 don't know. There's something in
it don't understand; but, if you've no
objection, I'll 60 over to c. to-mor-
row and see Lawyer Pannell about it."
Robert had expected to be only one
day from home; but he stayed three.
And, meantime, the one hired boy, going
to bring the COWS from the meadow, re-
ported that there were number of men
passing through the farm, looking about,
examining the ground, and acting in
very strange and unaccountable manner.
"Good graciousr' ~ thought Mrs. Lang
ly. ''They surely can't be suspicioning
the gold streak?"
She was very anxious for her sons re-
turn. When he did come she noticed
the bright glance, and the brisk manner
in which he dismounted from his horse
and came straight toward her, as she
stood at the steps to welcome him.
"Well, Rob, I see you've got good
news"
"The best of news, mother" he an
swered, cheerfully.
The tears came into her eyes.
81 shall hate to give up the old home,
after ALL"
''You need not give it up, mother.
We wont sell the farm. Mr.. Davis was
sharp" he added, contemptuously, "but
fortunately we escaped the trap he bait
ed so nicely"
"Why, what is it all about, Roberto
"Why, only this, mother: They are
going to run new railroad through our
farm"
"What" exclaimed the old lady, in
dismay. "Cut our farm in two with a
railroad and spile it completely2 So
that's what's those men were after when
they came trespassing on our place yes
terdayl But I'll see whether they'll ever
venture to do it again Surely, Robert,
you'll not submit to see the farm ruined
and"
"Hush, hush. mother!" he said.