The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-06-28

always a-bein' robbed and breakin'
and losin' folks money. He saws as
how when he gifts money. he's gwine to
keep it,
"Wots dat yer sayin', ole CONAN,
bout money?' and Mrs. Dinah, turn
ing, saw her husband looking sus-
piciously at her.
Jacob Mullins was strong, shrewd-
looking old fellow. with rather stern
expression on his face.
She answered hastily: II wor Jest
tellin' Sis Cleopatry you don b'lieve in
no banks"
"Well, seein' as how I amt got no
money ter put in no banks, it don't
matter wot | b'lieves in. Is you goin',
Mis- AllenP Well, good-mornin'!
look here, ole oomanr' he said, as
soon as the visitor had departed. "Wot
was you sayin' bout money ter dat
elack-tongue? Did you say as how
had any?"
mo. l didn't open my head bout it,"
Dinah said. half-frightened and half
angry. But you knows you has it.
and you keeps me dat short dat me and
Poleon Bonyparte amt got no decent
clothes"
II don't want no clothesr' piped
Poleon. dad, I wants regimentals
and sword and drum"
'Shut up, you idjit" cried his father,
! furiously. Go out and feed de COWS,
and eff you says regimentals ter me
agin. I'll sojer your
Poleon Bonyparte obeyed sulkily. He
thought his father very hard and
miserly, for he knew he had money.
Lying awake one night, when he ought
to have been fast asleep. he heard his
father and mother discussing the safest
hiding-place for their earnings, and
they decided upon a large knot-hole in
the crib, or barn, over which a plank
could be nailed, and which could only
be reached by u ladder.
"Ebry night Pm calklatin' to see
robbers break in," old Jacob said.
"Dey s'picions as how Use got de
money in de house, but nobody'll tink
OBJ de barn. sure. 1 don't b'lievc in
buryin' money, specially bank-notes.
Hogs mought root 'ein up and damp git
ter dem, but my knot-hole bank is safe
and dry"
Neither father nor mother dreamed
that Poleon had overheard this con-
versation, and must say one thing for
the would-be soldier: he was thoroughly
honest, and would not have touched
one penny of the money; but it made
him chuckle and feel rich every time
his eyes fell on the boarded knot-hole.
That evening, however, his mind was
running on the gypsies. He must have
his fortune told, whatever might come
. of it. He was the proud possessor oi
twenty-five cents, given to him that
morning by Judge Cameron for holding
his horse. He had determined to make
it the nucleus for the purchase of 6
drum and sword, but the gypsies were
going away. and he must know if flu
!. turity held regimentals for him.
He fed the cows, and hastened TO the
, gypsies' encampment.
1t was only short distance from hi:
fathers farm, and he was quite familiar
r with the looks of the swarthy-browet
, men who had loitered about the farm
r to sell ponies, or mend pans and pots
until old Jacob ordered them from hi
premises. But many peep had Poleor
taken of their encampment, and the.
all knew him by sight and name Th
camp was scene OF confusion tina
evening. for the gypsies were preparin!
A to move.
+ A bright-eyed young woman ap
9 preached the boy, who was standing
I irresolutelv on one foot. as was his Gus
: tom when perplcxed. He had not mad
q up his mind whether he would have hi
q fortune told or not.
"And what does my pretty youn
gentleman want?' she said, with a
r insinuating smile. "We're going ava
r before light tomorrow, and he mus
y speak now, if he wants any thing"
. II coined ter hab my fortune tolt.
r. Poleon stammered, "but l reckon 20
: amt got time. I amt got but twenty
f five cents, and doesn't know if dat
$ enuff ter buy good fortune
The woman laughed. and steppin
) aside, beckoned to one of the men VIII
stood near the wagons. Poleon recoe
v nized him as one of the most persister
It haunters of the farm. A conversatlo
d ensued between him and the woman
it a strange language, and in few mil
n utes she returned. smiling, to the bo,
:, "Will the young gentleman cross m
Ie palm with the silver" she said insln1
atingly," and let me see his hand?"
d Poleon laid trembling palm in her
" and she studied it intently for a fe
lie minutes.
;e II see sword glitterin'. she sal
" in low, mysterious voice, "and II
is brass buttons of soldier. YOU
N goin' to march to battle, but you won
be hurt-oh no. l see you comi