The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1891-06-05

In 4 little narrow court, the windows
of which faced each other so closely that
their inhabitants might have shaken
| hands across the intervening space, and
which was occupied entirely by the de-
scendants of Ham, stood a little wooden
house conspicuous from its fellows by
the fact that an 'herb doctor" had es-
tablished shop there, and that upon
the door was nailed sign bearing this
legend: Madam Pinchon, clairvoyante.
Ring the third bell" There were many
signs on all the houses, but they mostly
indicated the fact that laundresses, kali
sominers. chimney sweeps and house
cleaners were ready for patrons.
At breakfast time the next morning
after she had seen the shadow of Roy
kiss the hand of the shadow of Eugene,
Maisie assembled the steps of this house,
and stood on tiptoe to ring the third
bell of the trio on the door post.
Maisie was superstitious little body,
and for years had secretly appealed to
this dusky oracle in times of tribulation,
as when her blue beads were lost or she
had bad dream.
She had had greater faith in her than
ever since she had prophesied a coming
sutton the day before Mr.. Bunny brought
Roy home to dinner. Had she not said
that he was handsome, and was he not
superbly SO?
Had she not also, when Maisie made
known the fact that the prophecy was
realized, whispered in her ear:
''lf things go wrong come to me. If
your true Tub is drawn away | kin draw
him back. If woman comes atwixt
you kin fix dat too. | has spells and
love powders. l has ways and means,
neber forget dat"
"Mme. Pinchon can help me-" had
Maisie said to herself as she awakened.
and now she was at her door ringing the
bell with feverish hand, hoping, fearing,
trembling as she did so.
Before the last peal had died away
black face, wrinkled as walnut, was
thrust out of one of the dormer windows.
and the soft voice of negress uttered
the words:
SIS comm, honey, rs comm. l be
dar jes as soon as get some coats on"
Then the head disappeared.
In moment more wierd looking old
black woman opened the door,
"Come right up, honey" she said, |
"dis way. Take care de mating on dem
second floor folks entryway; it's jes'
foot trap, jes' put down to save de scrub
bresh, | 'spect. Is waitin' fur you.
Solomon say you comm"
'Oh, Mime. Pinchon," said Maisie. |
"Oh, do hope you can tell me what l
want to know"
Il kin. You is come cause you is
jealous, said the woman over her
shoulder.
"Oh!' cried Maisie, 'you read my
very thoughts
dat is de pow have" said Nine.
Pinchon, as she opened the door of her
garrett room. 1t was bright little place,
with good deal of lowered chintz hung
about, with gay advertising cards pinned
20 the walls. The table had red cloth
lpon it, the little stove was brightly
polished and within it fire glowed
brightly. In the window hung /. par
'ot's cage. and in the cage, squatted upon
ome moss that had been placed there,
wo little green toads. As Maisie turned
Ter eyes toward them it seemed to her
hat they winked at her. {
Toad singin' bout you all yesterday"
aid Mime. Pinchon. ''Singin' She
omin', she COMM Its de hansome
al You is come about" said Mime. Pin :
hon. opening the cage. Time you :
tended to her. A false friend, secret Il