Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1888-05-31

Poleon. dad, | wants regimentalS
and a sword and 4 drum"
shut up. you idjit!'' cried his father,
furiously. Go out and feed de cows.
and ef you says regimentals ter me
agin, I'll sojer your
Poleon Bonyparte obeyed suikiiy. He
thought his father very hard and
misery, for he knew he had money.
Lying awake one night, when he onght
TO have been fast asleep. he heard his
father and mother discussing the safest
hiding place for their earnings, and
they decided upon large knot-hole in
the crib, or barn, over which plank
could be nailed, and which could only
be reached by "A ladder.
"EGry 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
oh de barn, sure. don't b'lievc in
buryin' money, specially bank-notes.
Hogs mought root 'eln 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 a short distance from his
fathers farm, and he 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 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
irresolutelv on one foot. as was his Gus
tom when perplexed. He had not made
up his mind whether he would have his
fortune told or not.
"And what does my pretty young
gentleman want?" she said, with an
insinuating smile. "We're going away
before light tomorrow, and he must
speak now, if he wants any thing"
Il coined ter hab my fortune tolt.':
Poleon stammered. "but reckon you
amt got time. amt got but twenty
five cents, and doesn't know if dat's
enuff ter buy a 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 a 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 hand?"
Poleon laid a trembling palm in hers,
and she studied it intently for few
minutes.
81 see sword glitterin'." she said.
in 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 a comm
back from the wars with banners flying
and fife and drum playing. and 1 see
yes, see gold epaulets on your Shout
der-a Gineral's epaulets.
20 Lordy!' calculated Poleon. light
headed and fairly intoxicated by this
picture of military grandeur.
"Yes," continued the gypsy. fixing
her keen eyes upon the boys face.
'.And then you'll march home in your
grandeur, and your pa will pour all the
hidden money ut Your feet. and say:
It's yours. take it all Yes. every
cent of the money he's hid, but 1 can
see where it IS
'Graciousm cried astonished Poleon.
you kin see de money in de knot-hole
in de barn and de plank kiverin' it,
too?"
.'Of course. see the knot-hole and
the plank nailed over it as plain as l
see your face"
''Wot will pappy say when he hears
dat?" cried Poleon. appalled, at this
display of what he thought superhuman
power. He little dreamed Who had be-
trayed the secret.
IF you tell him." said the gypsy, in
a terrible voice. and froNnir 2 ,larkly,
IF you tell him. your fortune won't
ccme true-good-by to soldering. But
if you are secret. come tomorrow, at
sunrise. to that big oak yonder. and
under it you'll find what you.wa most
in the world"
Poleon ran home. his head in a whirl.'
He forgot all about the treasure, all
about every thing but what he was to
find the next day. OF course, 1t would
be uniform. He certainly wanted
that more than any thing else in tho
world. and the gypsy had shown that