Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-05-08
UNCLE ALlCK'S PROPHECY.

Yes, Robert, | know it's moor
place, but don't feel willing to give it
lp: It's been my hcme-as it was nv
father's before me; and / did hone -
with sigh" that you'd ha' taken to
it, and made it as good as twas in his
time; Your own poor father never had
any luck with it."
Nor do l expect any, mother. It
takes natural liking and natural tai
ent to succeed at any business, and pve
none for farming. l wish | could per
suade you to sell the place, and let me
set up store at the crossroads. We
could make more there, without the la
Dor and care that it costs us here"
81 amt so sure of that, Robert. Per.
haps if you'd marry and settle down
here, with good managing wife to help
you, you'd do better and be better salts
lied; and if it, weren't for old David
Gardners obstinacy you and Lettv-n
Enough, mother" interrupted Rob-
ert, flushing all over his handsome, sun
burnt face; "it's no use to say ANYTHING
more on that subject. I'll never ask any
woman to marry me so long as l know
that | couldn't afford her suitable help,
or so long as there's mortgage hanging
over the roof that I'd bring her TO- <
fathers hardly to be blamed for saving
that his daughter shall never marry n
poor man, to break herself down as her
mother did, with work. So that's set
tied" WV
His mother looked at him anxiouslv
over her spectacles.
eff it want for the mortgage. " sho
sad, slowly, 'we might get along.
Twas that worried your father into his
grave-that, and not finding the gold
streak"
Her son made an impatient movement
and she added:
Don't you think you could get a
little more time allowed us, Robert
Maybe when the crops sold, and the
apples and cider"
"Mr. Davis won't hear of it, mother
| saw him yesterday and talked it over
but he insists it must all be paid by the
hrst OF August-ah, here he comes
Robert went out to meet the we'll
dressed, sharp-eyed man in his hand
some buggy, while his mother remained
on the back-porch, with sleeves rolled
up, mixing dough for the poultry.
There amt many of 'em to feed
now," she said, talking aloud to herself,
as she had been accustomed with her
late husband. "What with cholera and
gapes in the chickens, and weak legs in
the turkeys, ! hain't had any but ill
luck with the lot of 'em this wear. Then
there's old Speck missing-the best
layer of 'em all, and Gold streak's fit for
nothin' sence her legs broke. Ah. me !
I'm nightly afeared that she's the only
gold-streak We'll ever know on this
placem
whats that about gold-streak, Mrs.
Langly" exclaimed clear, young voice.
And a girl with sweet face and
bright brown eyes and a blue striped
chintz dress fitting perfectly to her trim
figure, stood smiling before her.
Mrs. Langly's face frightened imme-
"Why, Lefty, how you do always
manage to take one by surprise, as if
you'd risen out o. the yearth or dropped
down from the clouds Well, child,
you're welcome! And hows your
mother2"
Lefty made suitable reply, and ex-
planned how she had been sent by her
mother on some little business connected
with quilt-patterns, for the invention of
which Mrs. Langly was famous.
tEVn,1 shall bouo 49,.
pattern" said the old lady, promptly.
'It's the handsomest of all, and I've
never before given it away-not even to
the minister's wife, who was so taken
with it,"
"Gold-streaked again!" said Lefty,
smiling. THAT appears to be favorite
name with you"
"Ah, my dear, I've cause to think a
heap of that name! Maybe it would be
better if l hadn't; and maybe again
well, nobody can tell yet"
There was a moments silence. when
she resumed
81 dare say, Lefty, you've thought me
obstinate and selfish in opposing Rob's
wish to sell the farm. But had rea-
son, child, more on his account than
mine; and think mays we'll tell it to
you. | know you're to be trusted not to
go and spread it around among the neigh
bors. who would no doubt be limiting
that I'd better be put in lunatic asylum.
Maybe you'll think so yourself, but at
any rate I'll let you Judge.
"You see," she continued as she
slowly worked in another handful of
corn-meal, "the Langlys come of Scotch
stock, and it's been said that Rob's great
grand'ther Langly, over in Scotland, had
the gift O. second-sight-that is, see
ing and knowing things that are go
ing to happen. I've heard good deal
of talk about it in the family, but never
did thiSx much of it, though my hus-
5and-poor departed Jeems--believed
in it as firmly as he believed in
summer and winter. He said these
things come by mysterious law of ma