Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1901-10-24
THE child Agatha counted button.

THE child Agatha counted buttons,
and by so doing became the un.
conscious arbiter Of destiny.
The years of Agathas 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, doling out husbands to such
as were the happy possessors OF but.
tons. For those poor creatures who
had yielded to II mandate from fnr-off
Paris, and accepted hooks and eyes as
gown-fastenings, Agatha could do
nothing-not the ghost of n husband
could she conjure up without the help
OF her little round allies.
Had you not a single one In sight
you were doomed to spinsterhood, but
IL one-just one-could be found
among the folds Of your draperies.
you were saved, and Agatha's fat fore
finger would be laid upon II, while her
shrill little voice would announce tri-
umphantly: 'Rich mani"-looking
into your eyes TO find reflection Of
the JOY in her own dancing blue Ones
at having so sa- sa-isfactorily-thanks to
the button-settled your fortune.
The result OF u two-button fortune she
always announced with a 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 be their portion
At "beggar man" her voice invariably
grew sad and low, and IL you were fool
ish enough to display four buttons,
the chubby finger would touch the
fatal one mournfully, while plying
voice would murmur, as she shook her
golden curls, thief" begging 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 II was thrilling game To
playl II was grief to the child
Agatha that so seldom could she in
dulge nit, 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 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
II was a matinee day at the opera
house, and an enthusiastic throng was
surging through the entrance gate, at
tracted 10y Nine. Calve MS Carmen"
The house was crowded To the doors
and when the curtain rose ON the
Seyilla Square there was not vacant
seat to be had, and scarcely an untitled
box. No. II grand tier, however, was
empty, and many 81 those standing
turned enyious eyes up TO its comfort.
able seats. For matinee the audience
was brilliant, and one could see many
woll-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 respleudent COS.
tunes,
In several boxes OF the grand tier
there were children, aud one framed
n pretty, much-noticcd picture In it
sat goldcn-haircd \gathoUud her blue
eyed brother Arms around each 9TH
er they sat, fresh and dainty ana
sweet unconscious ~ everything ex-
cept the bewildermrnt of color and