Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-04-03
MONEY.


Scudder, and sometimes in moments OF
great exulta.ion-for he was modest
youth, rs every true lover should be
he had dared to think that she did not
frown upon his passion. But Clara was
the Squire's daughter and an heiress,
while Ezra was but small farmer, aud
so far from successful in that pursuit
that i; seemed absurd as well as impoS-
sible that he should aspire 10 the hand
of the lovely Miss Scudder, who had
been courted in vain even by fine city
gentlemen. So he had sighed and east
longing looks from his place in the choir
Nv here he sang in fine tenor voice on
Sundays) into the Squre's pew; and
more than once he thought pretty Clara
blushed brightly, and he knew well
enough that she Away. smiled, sweetly,
and her voice when she spoke 10 him
had carcssing sound. and altogether
her manner toward him was not dis
couraging.
But Ezra would not be encouraged.
He felt that 1t was useless for him to
ask the Squire for his daughters hand
unless he had good pot OF money IN
his own hand with which to back his
proposal. So, instead of trying to COM
pass the desired end by increasing in
dustry lie neglected his little farm more
than before, and spent his whole time
in wishing that he could find pot Of
money somehow in the manner of old
fashioned stories-at the foot of tree
or under the foundation of his house.
Suddenly rumor spread abroad that
n wonderful gypsy had appeared. Of
course the .umor reached Ezra Allen,
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 thither stealthily. She
was a very old woman, bent almost
double; her lined and wrinkled face
was the color of butternut, and the
tangles of her hair hung in elf-like griz-
zled locks about her brow and over her
cheeks; but her black eyes had won
derful briliancy and such a keen look
that they seemed to see right thorugh
him.
81 know the desire of your heart, my
pretty gentleman, said the gypsy. at
Is a certain maiden not a hundred miles
away, only YOU have faint heart that
seldom wins fair lady. But if you
could find pot of money your spirits
would be bolder. Listen 10 me and obey
me, and you shall have your wish. You
must dig up every foot of land you pos
sess; you mustn't grow weary in your
search-you must dig and dig continu-
ously, 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
the fortune teller's injunctions so well
that all the countryside took to talking
of him after the gypsy disappeared. He
not only dug, but he ploweG and sowed
and narrowed; he seemed taken with
sudden mania for farming, and work
which had before seemed Gistasteful
and monotonous, now that he had an
object In view, was full of excitement
and interest. At first he dug and dug,
looking for his pot Of money; but as ii
did not turn up he continued to dig,
full of faith, and growing every day
more interested in his efforts.
Ezra Alden had particularly fine
crops that season; and his success at
farming having also developed his COM
mercial ability, he sold all he had to sell
TO excellent advantage.
"Nell," said Ezra, as he counted his
gains, and tied them securely In his
money-b"g, Il haven't found my pot of
money, but this little pile is not TO be
despised, and | shall keep OH. By
George! l wonder If this is what the
old gypsy meant"
Ezra had some time Oh his hand Cow
for dreaming; and he took 10 signing for
Clara once more, but in a more hopeful
spirit.
Il will speak to her father" he
thought; "and, If he gives me encOur-
agement, will ask Clara, plump, If che
will marry me-"
So he took his money-bag in his hand
and sought the presence of Squire Scud-
der.
The Squire sat reading volume of
the "Pickwick Papers" in his handsome
old-fashioned parlor, and being in
very genial mood, lie received Ezra
with the most encouraging kindness,
and listened to all be had TO say with
beniguant suiile.
at is not a great deal, continued
Ezra, holding up his mOney-bag; "but
there's more where found this, sir"
"AnG pray, where did you find it,