The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1885-04-30
MONEY.
A-AZRA ALDEN was in love wit

FE14ZRA ALDEN was in love with
II, Clara Scudder, and sometimes
t1S;;4s in moments of great eXalta
fS|S9 tio2-for he was a modest
youth, as every true lover shonld be
he had dared to think that she
did not frown upon his passion.
But Clara was the squire's daugh
ter and an heiress, while Ezra was
but q small farmer, and so far from
successful in that pursuit that it
-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 the
fac city gentlemen. So he had
sighed aud cast longing looks from
mis- place in the choir (where he
sang in a fine tenor voice on Sun
days) 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 a caressing sound,
and altogether her manner toward
him was not discouraging.
But Ezra would not be encourag-
ed. He felt that it was useless for
him to ask the squire for lis daugh-
ter's hand unless he had q good pot
of money in his ewn hand with
which to back his proposal. So,
instead of trying to compass the de
sired end by increased industry, he
neglected his little farm more than
before, and spent his whole time in
wishing that he could find a pot of
money somehow, in the manner Of
old fashioned stories-at the foot Of
tree or under the foundation of
| his house. [ believe be would even
have sought it at the end OF the
rainbow, like the boy in the nurse
ry rhyme, if he had been told there
was a good chance of finding it
there.
Suddenly rumor spread abroad
that a wonderful gypsy had appear
ed, who was telling people fortunes
that came true in the most remark
able manner, and all the country
side was in . state of excitement on
/ the subject. She was Of somewhat
exclusive character, this madam
gypsy, and could only be consulted
in a certain place, in the shadow of
q wych- elm, IN the open air. and
during certain hOurs-these hours
being between the last rays of the
declining sun and the first shadows
of coming night.
OF course the rumor of the gyp-
sy's marvellous e-telling reach
ed Ezra Alden, and equally, OF
course, he was much exercised in
mind concerning it. He found out
the place where the fortune-teller
OWNED these fair fortunes, and one
evening after watching the sun
! slowly disappear behind the western
hills, he repaired there stealthily,
and little afraid of meeting Clara
ScUdder somewhere in the vicinity,
for the wych-tree was just on the
further side of the squire's farm.
However, he met no one except a
hurried squirrel fast speeding to It's
home, and it was even more scared
at being met than Ezra wasj SO he
FASTENED to the wych-tree, and
there, sure enough, was msdam
gypsy, sitting curled up against the
trunk and looking precisely as if
she was waiting for him.
She was q very old woman, bent
almost double; her lined and wrink
led face was the color Of q butternut
and the tangles of her hair hung in
elf-like grizZled locks about her
brow and over her cheeks; but her
black eyes had 4 wonderful brillian-
cy and such a keen look that they
seemed to see right through him.
She was wrapped in q scarlet cloak
and hood of the same was drawn
well over her head. She gave q
quick nod at Ezra and motioned
him to take q seat at her feet, which
he did with his heart humping as
if he were before the Delphie oracle.
And when she spoke he had to bend !
his head and listen very attentively, |
for not only did she mutter her
words in a very toothless fashion, |
but she spoke in so low a tone that
he had some difficulty in hearing
her. But he made out that she
said:
81 was expecting you, my son,
and | know what you come for"
and then she held out q hand zen
more butternut than her faces
shaking and tremulous hand; and
Ezra made haste to cross the palm
with silver, that being, as he knew,
the time-hOnOred custom. This
happened before we had begun the
return to specie basis, and silver
was scarce, but Ezra had in his
pocket a half-dollar piece, with s.
hole in it and a cress drawn on its
face, which he had kept many years
for luck. So, as there could be no
more suspicious occasion than the
present for using it, he timidly
placed it ia the gypsy's hand, and
again bent his ear attentively to
listen to her unintelligible numb
ling.
Il know the desire Of your heart,
my pretty gentleman" said the gyp-
sy. ''It is a certain maiden not
hundred miles away, only you have
the faint heart that seldom wins
fair lady. But if you could find a
pot of money your spirit would be
bolder. Listen to me and obey me
and you shall have your wish"
Ezra did listen with all his ears,
and, as you may suppose, they were
| Just then pretty long and wide, and
capable of taking in large amount.
You must dig up every foot of
land you possess" preceded the
gypsy; 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 mon
ey and the maiden will be yours"
Ezra listened with faith and de
parted with joy in his heart. He
/ E..1E .,