Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1897-05-13
THE FIRST FOOT.

field all day with blazing sun burning
down on them most Of the time, but
now the last pike was being raised and
the last sweep dragged TOWARDS H.
Some of the workers who were await
ing its arrival were mopping their
faces and watching its tumultuous
course; some were picking up little
rolls OF hoy which had escaped on the
way or wisps which had blown on to
the hedges. Kitty Carter was one VINO
had chosen the latter employment,
and she had got an armful when,
among the branches Of a young ash,
she thought she espied an even ash
leaf Now, every one knows that II
you find an even ash-leaf, /. e., leaf
which does not end as ash-leaves ought
to end, with leaflet as It's tip, but has
two placed opposite each other, and II
you gather this and put Il in your left
foot shoe and wear it till bedtime, and
then put It's crumpled remains under
your pillow, you will iDfallibly dream
of the person whom you will marry.
A glimpse OF leaf Of this kind hav-
ing been youchsafed TO Kitty, 1t was
vexatious to be interrupted by the ar
rival Of Farmer Dunthorn's son, even
though he was the very man she
wished to dream Of.
What are you lating in the dixie,
Kitty" ne asked
"Oh, never you mind, Robert she
answered with coqrettish brusqueness.
"But / cant help Winding. | mind
everything you do. I've had my th0wts
fixed on you all day long. Hasn't no
one ever telrt you that yorre out and
out the bonniest lass in Durham
county,"
Talking that ways just foolishness,
Robert" she replied, coloring with
pleasure.
Now you know II isn't. Kitty! Don't
you never TAX look at yourself / the
glass? Who has such bonnie blue eyes,
or ssch shining goldie-brown hair. or
such a face altogether? Come along,
you've got what hay there is! Give It to
me; it's big armfu for you!" But
Kitty did not stir.
Come. let's be Off they'll be done
pking directly" She had one foot in
the dry ditch, and as he spoke he tried
70 draw her away.
"Oh do he nula'r she exclaimed,
It's my belief you've gone and made
me lose my even ash-lea'"
"And If ! have, what would It have
tell't you more nor you know already
You know who loves you best Of all
now don't You, Kitty"
Maybe | do, and more likely
don't" said Kitty pervcrsely.
"Kitty dear Kitty, 10, gracious
heavens Whors Going on over there"
He was booking at a gate at the far
corner OF the field. and when Kitty
booked there too she saw that all the
workers had deserted the pike and
were crowdlnE round this gate in
stormy dispute with a tall young man
whom she did not know.
"It's some one who wants to cross
our field TO get 10 Sunny Brow. and
the mon want him 10 pay his footing
first" said Dunthorne.
Then I'll warrant you it's Mr.
Newhv's son-hlm that ran away
heard tell they'd forgive him. and ex-
rected him home FOR eighteen years.
let's 81 and see what he's like after
all that time In london"
"0h. Robert. Robert Look look
THEY'RE KILN ~ him" cried KITTY IN
Wild alarm for the angry men had
pcnuci Newly into narrow circle
Termed nv their outstretched hav-
forks and each moment this circle was
becoming narrower But Durthorne
vas ALREADY half across the field He
hes ri tho mems savage cries as he
went "You nun nav your footlngr'
cried some NO excuses viii be
taken orInd n'hers "vau chose ~
come into our work Hc'd when we're
thror~ On nl,yinr. 50 ont wi vorr brass
srorc worse harnens 10 YOU" The wo-
mon werc as clamorous 9a the men.
"Dlnr him down cried ono "ara inst
taF' what ve thlnt n out NJ his
pockets" whats Tho use " nuftlrr
hoe h'nrk coat On vor h7ck "
scrrcched another. ~ vow don't know
how 20 behave verseV uke n rentlc-
mnn WHOM It's thcrc' Paw vnr eo1ffn~
when vor asked lll,o Other folks or
nus Ink the consequences"
Drop hat this moment cr.cl
Dunthorno authorit7tlyelv. md Kitty.
who was close behind Thought no
rrp1fcr hero could exist