Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-09-12
THE child Agatha counted buttons,

'HE child Agatha counted buttons,
and by so doing became the un-
conscious arbiter Of a destiny.
The years Of Agatha's life were as
many as were the fingers on one OF her
plump hands, and during this short
time she had always been teller Of
fortunes, doing out husbands to such
as were the happy possessors Of but
tons. For those poor creatures who
had yielded to a mandate from far-oif
Paris, and accepted hooks and eyes as
gown-fnstenings, Agatha could do
nothing-not the ghost uf a husband
could she conjure up without the help
OF her little round allies.
Had you not single one in sight
you were doomed to spinsterhood. but
II one just one-coud be found
among the folds OF your draperies,
you were saved, and Agatha's fat fore
finger would be laid upon 1t, while her
shrill little voice would announce tri-
umpbantly "Rich man!"--looking
into your eyes to find n reflection Of
the JOY in her own dancing blue ones
at having 80 sa.isfactorily-thanks to
the button-settled your fortune.
The result Of two-button fortune she
always announced with n falling in
Election, and the corners of her mouth
would droop in copy OF the expression
she had seen on older faces when poor
man" was found to he their portion.
At "beggar man" her voice invariably
grew sad and low, and II you were fool
ish enough to display four buttons,
the chubby finger would touch the
fatal one mournfully. while pitymg
voice would murmur, as she shook her
golden curls. thief" hegging your
pardon for the cruel truth; but again
happy smiles would chase away the
sadness II doctor, lawyer, merchant
or chief fell to your lot. Two, three
and four were the only fortunes that
troubled the little lady.
Oh, but 1t was thrilling game to
playl II was a grief to the child
Agatha that so seldom could she in
dulge init, owing to the disappearance
OF buttons from the feminine horizon.
But now and again II would chance
that some one great enough to resist
the decree OF fashion would drift her
way and display the longed-for fas-
Jennings. To such a one Agatha would
turn with screams Of delight, while
the chubby hands would touch the but
tons lovingly and the childish voice
ring out in words Of prophecy.
1t was matinee day at the opera
house, and an enthuSiOstic throng was
surging through the entrance gate. at
tracted by Nine. Calye As Carmen"
The house was crowded to the doors.
and when the curtain rose on the
Sevilla Square there was not n vacant
seat To be had, and scarcely an untitled
box. No. II grand tier, however, was
empty, and many Of those standing
turned enyious eyes up to its comfort
able seats. For matinee the audience
was brilliant, and one could see many
well-known faces from the smart set"
as well as the suburban seat holders
and real music lovers, Functions Of
every sort had been sacrificed for the
idol of the hour, the cigarette girl,
Carmen" and the house was gay with
handsome women and dresplendent cos
tunes,
In several boxes ~ the grand tier
there were children, and one framed
a pretty, much.nuticcd picture. In it
sat golden haired Agatha and her blue.
eyed brother. Arms around each uth-
er they sat, fresh and dainty and
sweet, unconscious of everything cN-
cent tho n."illarwent ~ color aud