The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-04-30

EN- are at IL from Jne UrSG GAVIN O
daylight TO nightfsll."
''Whatever has got into him ne
going to have the best crops OF tn,
year," answered one. Lucky fel
low. just when there's going to b.
a rise in -four, toe, and he has az
end Of wheat growing, and IN splen
did condition"
"Why, Clara, isn't that Ezra Al
denis farn?" asked the squire, a!
his daughter one day drove hin
past it in her pretty pony carriage
"Yes, sir" returned Clara, with {
faint pink stealing into her cleaI
pale cheek.
"Has some one else farmed it
then?" asked the squire. There
isn't another farm around here fl
to compare with it,"
The pink in Clara's check deep
ened to lovely crimson.
ooh, no, papa," she said softly
sit seems Ezra Mr.. Alden, has
just developed sudden talent iol
farming.
"And a frst-rate talent, I should
say" said the old gentleman. "a
man who can show such a farm as
that can hold his head as high as
any one.
Cisra's eyes glowed and sparkjed
She touched her ponies lightly; and
her happy thoughts rushed off into
the future at a pace to rival even
their fast trotting.
AS the neighbors had foretold,
Ezra Alden had particularly fine
crops that season; and his success
at farming having developed his
commercial ability, he sold all that
ne had to sell to excellent sdvan-
tage.
well" said Ezra, as he counted
his gains, and tied them securely in
his moDey-bag, 81 haven't found
my pot Of money, but this little pile
is not to be despised, and I shall
keep on. By Georgei l wonder if
this WAS 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
s more hopeful spirit.
Il will speak to her father" he
thought; "and if he gives me
encouragement, / will ask Clara,
plump, if she viii marry me."
Now, some young men would
have thought it safer TO win the
dsughter's consent first; but Ezra
Was too honorable for that.
'If the squire won't have me-" he
said to himself Cts no use to ask
Glars. She would never disobey
her father. shouldn't care half G S
much for her if she did.
So he took his money-bag in his
hand ana sought the presence Of
Squire Scudder.
The squire sat reading a novel Of
the Pickwick papers in his hand
some old-fashioned parlor, and be-
ing in q very genial mood, he re
ceiyed Ezra with the most cncour-
aging kindness, and listened to all
that he had to say with a benig-
nant smile.
at is not a great DEAL" conclud-
ed Ezra holding up. his money bag,
''but there's plenty more where I
found this, SIR"
"Aud pray, where did you find i,
Mr. Alden| asked the squire rath-
er taken aback.
"At the roots of my wheat and
barley" snswered Ezra, adding,
with a laugh. 'To tell the truth,
sir, l consulted a fortune-teller, and
she told me to dig and dig, and l
weald certainly find pot of money.
haven't found it yet, but l intend
TO keep on digging, and 1 don't
doubt but that l shall find it by
and by"
Squire Scudder burst into hear
ty laugh, and kindly pstted Ezra
on the shoulder.
81 don't doubt but you will, my
IAd," he said cheerfully. Honest
industry is the best pot OF money
any young man ever found. AS for
Clara, you can talk over the matter
with herself-she's sitting there by
the window, hidden behind the cur
5ains."
Now that was dreadfully mean of
the squire, not to have given Ezra
4 hint Of Clara's presence before;
but he didn't mean it. 1t seems
quite impossible for these old gen
tlemen to realize how serious such
matters are to girls and boys.
Squire Scudder rose with a nod
and a smile and went away, leaving
Ezra in confusion, staring at the
window curtains; and wishing the
1oor would open and swallow him.
But it didn't. Instead, the window
curtains opened and lovely young
lady stepped out from them.
$50 MIR. Alden" she said stepping
forward, ''you consulted the gypsy
fortune teller, tooY'
ooh, Miss Scudder-Clara-yoa
have heard everything" Hammered
Ezra, sinking into the chair from
which he had risen in his first con
sternation. "Whst a terrible fool
you must think mel'
''But l don't-I have great conf
dence in that gypsy's predictions.
Then you consulted her, too,"
asked Ezra.
Dozens of times-she 6egiIded
me Of al my small silver"
"Well, she got but a single piece
from me, that's some comfort" said
Ezra, recovering somewhat and ven
turing to laugh slightly.
''Was it anything like this?' ask
ed Miss Scudder, producing one
from her pocket and holding it to-
ward Ezra on the palm of a hand
like cream.
Ezra looked and started and gave
a little cry. It was his own lucky
silver piece. He glanced into the
laughing, blushing face; and then
for the first time he looked straight
into Clara Scudder's eyes. They
were very, very dark and wonder
fully brilliant; but this time they
did not seem to look through him
they sank before his glance and
vaiIe6 Themselves uodar IOx-ol,- lo,or