The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-05-13
SECOND SIGHT.


and talking pleasantly. 1t was many years
ago, before the iron rails crossed our land
in all directions All was grandly beautiful
The old turnpike road wound like an un-
rolled ribbon away into the distance, and
all along it were pleasant homes, gay gar
dens, shady groves, or patches of meadow
land, where cattle browsed and sheep were
herded.
The two young men, both handsome and
well-dressed, were pleasant figures in the
fair picture, but one that sat by the road
side seemed blot upon it, 1t was that of
an old woman, bent with age, wrinkled,
toothless, and gray, dressed in shabby rags
that had no positive color remaining in their
shreds, and looking the very picture OF
misery.
A beggar was as rare a thing as well
might be in that place and at that time :;
but this was evidently beggar, for, as the
two young men approached, she held out
her hand and cried:
A shilling, please. Just a shilling to
keep an old woman from starving
"Pshaw!n cried one of the young men
= To keep her from thirsting, you mean
There isn't farmers wife on the road that
would refuse you a meal. You want to fill
your bottle, old lady," and he passed on !;
but the other paused.
Richer folks than You fill their bottles,
good woman" he said. "And you look as
though you needed shillings sorely. When
one asks help of me, don't put him
through his catechism, and l won't begin
with woman old enough to be my grand
mother"
With these words he tossed handful Of
'ilver into the old creatures lap.
She clutched it eagerly, looked up at him
moment, then put out her hand, rs he
would have passed on, and caught the skirts
of the long coat in vogue at that date.
"Stop minute" she said. You're a
generous gentleman my blessings on you.
I'd like to do what could for you; and
there's one thing could do-rd tell your
fortune. All you needn't laugh. 1 can
read your palm as l can read book. Give
it to me-"
With little shrug of the shoulders the
youth surrendered his hand to the old wo
mans grasp.
His friend also turned back and stood be
side him.
It's a handsome hand said the gypsy
ia good hand to give to the pretty girl
that you're thinking ola blue-eyed girl,
as read the lines, and with her heart to-
ward you. It's hand to trust to, and be-
fore tomorrow night it will hold gold that
don't belong to it. You're going on jour
ney with money that's another's, as l see
and your going alone long distance"
The young men looked at each other in
surprise.
II see it's true,' said the old woman /;
but, my pretty gentleman, take my adj.
vice Don't go. Stay at home. There's
danger before you. It's a bad journey
But if l must go ?" said the young man,
as earnestly as though he had been consult
ing an oracle.
Then" said the old woman, beware
of the place where three roads meet, and an
oak stands there TINT has been struck by
lightning, for it's not likely you'll pass it
alive. If you do, your star is lucky one
after that, and there's good fortune in love
and business before you"
She dropped his hand. His friend
stretched out his.
Tell my fortune, and I'll give you q
shilling" he said.
Keep your shilling to fill your bottle"
said the woman but don't fill it too
often, as some of your kin have done before
you !" and she started to her feet and hob
bled off.
Insolent hagl" muttered the young
man who had last spoken. Well, you're
not frightened, Godfrey ?"
Not l." said the other "but she hit
the mark strangely. l don't know the road
but when 1 ride over it with Uncle Calvin's
money in my saddle-bags tomorrow, shall
feel happier after have passed the cross
roads and the shivered tree"
Bah !" cried the other; you'll pass it,
and then you'll not think the old witch en-
dowed with supernatural powers only re-
member it does not need a witch TO tell that
one with eyes as black as yours will love a
girl whose eyes are blue, and she may know
you are your uncle's land agent"
:" never sat eyes on her in my life," said
Godfrey Garner 81 but you might well
laugh at me if put faith in such folly !;
only she seemed 80 earnest. 1t was not like
the usual fortune-teller's babble."
So their talk ended and the next MORN
ing, well-armed, Godfrey Garner, mounted
upon horse that was to be relied upon for
a long journey, set forth alone to complete
a purchase of land for which his uncle had
negotiated, carrying with him large sum
in gold and bank-potes.
His pistols, which every gentleman car
ried at that time. were we'll looked to, AND
his saddle-bags fastened with unusual care
But the money was not in them that was
concealed about his person, while stones
and pebbles filled the space the coin should
have occupied.
The brisk exercise and fresh air soon
drove away his trembling faith in the old
woman's second sight. -Four hours it had
not occurred to him, when suddenly at a
urn of the road he came upon scene
which startled him into sudden remem-
brance. Before him stood O great tree,
dead, and riven in two as by lightning
stroke. And at its very foot three roadt
met.
" 1t is the place." said Gc..9ay AID 70,
, moment his heart beat faster. He refined
in his horse, and looked about him. All
was quiet; the sky was clear. Close by
rippled little stream that seemed to laugh
as il ran to hide itself to the woodland.
MY lucky star has risen," said he,
aloud. 81 shall pass the dead oak in
safety"
At that moment he heard the sound of
firearms, and something grazed his side.
He cast glance over his shoulder. Two