The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-07-28

expression on his face.
She answered hastily: Il wor jest
tellin' Sis Cleopstry you don blieve in
no banks"
"Well, SEEM as how l 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
clack-tongue? Did you say as how l
had any?'
mo. 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"
Il don't want no clothesm 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
agln, L ii sOJer you!
Poleon Bonyparte obeyed sulkily. He
thought his father very hard and
misery, 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 ladder.
'Ebry night I'm 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. I don't b'lievc in
buryin' money. specially bank-notes.
Hogs mought root elm 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 of
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 a
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 fastened to the
gypsies' encampment.
1t was only short distance from his
fathers farm, and - was quite familiar
with the looks of the swarthy-browed
men who had loitered about the farm
to sell ponies. or mend pans and pots,
until old Jacob ordered them from his
premises. But many a peep had Poleon
taken of their encampment and they
all knew him by sight and name. The
camp was scene of confusion that
evening, for the gypsies were preparing
to move.
A bright-eyed young woman ap-
preached the boy. who was standing
irresolutely on one foot, as was his GUS
tom when perplcxed. He had not made
up his mind whether he would have his
fortune told or not
"And what does my pretty young
gentleman wantp'' she said, with an
insinuating smile. "We're going away
before light tomorrow, and he must
speak now, if he wants any thing"
II coined ter hab my fortune tolt, !"
Poleon stammered, "but. reckon you
amt got time. amt got but twenty
five cents, and ! doesn't know il dat's
enuff ter buy good fortune"
The woman laughed. and stepping
aside. beckoned to one of the men who
stood near the wagons. Poleon recog-
nized him as one of the most persistent
haunters of the farm. A conversation
ensued between him and the woman in
a strange language, and in few min
utes she returned, smiling. to the boy.
"Will the young gentleman cross my
palm with the silver" she said insinu-
atingly." and let me see his handp"
Poleon laid trembling palm in hers.
and she studied it intently for few
minutes.
II see sword glitterin', she said.
in q low, mysterious voice, land the
brass buttons of soldier. You're
goin' to march to battle. but you won't
be hurt-oh no. see you comm
back from the wars with banners flying
and fife and drum playing. and SEQ