The Opelousas courier., 1904-04-02

O. M1 you'd stop in on your wa,
MXs&AexN2 home from school," ant
the little old lady hustled about to sci
the cushioned rocker in a pleasant spo'
by the open window.
"a cas of telepathy?" Queried Che
school teacher, laughing, as she seat
ed herself in the comfortable chair,
took off her sailor hat, and leaned back
restfully. She made a pretty picture
in her pink print dress and white col.
lar.
mo; something more sure than that.
None of those superstitions for me. l
dropped my scissors and the point
stuck in the floor. and I never knew
that to fail to bring company. Then
'twasn't but a little while after that
my left eyebrow itched. That means
a woman coming. If it had been the
right I'd have thought maybe twas
the minister, and would have put Oh
my s%econd-best dress. I'm real glad,
though, twas you, for you always
cheer me up, and I've been dreadful
worried all day"
"What has happened, dear Mrs. Per-
kins?" The teachers voice was full
of sympathy.
"Nothing's happened yet, but it's
bound to. I sneezed twice before I
got up this morning, and that means
you'll hear Of a death before night.
And I'd been dreaming Of muddy wa.
ter, and that's a sure sign Of trouble.
Let's see, there was another. Oh, yes.
Last night I saw the new moon
through glass. So the three together
have made me fret all day, wondering
what was coming. Seems to me I've
had my share without anything new,
but I suppose / can bear more, for
every back Is fitted to it's burden, they
say" Mrs. Perkins resumed her darn
ing on the ragged heel Of a bright red
sock.
Il have some good news to tell you
about myself" said the girl. "Would
you like to hear it?'
"Yes. I'm always ready to rejoice
with them that rejoice, even II / can't
expect any good fortune myself" and
the little lady was all attention.
tits simply this" Miss Bridgeford
explained, with a pretty blush. ''that
Pm to resign at the end of this term
to be married and 60 back to live in
the city,"
SIN real glad, Miss Bridgeford," and
there was no mistaking the heartiness
Of her tone. 81 hope you're going to do
well. What's the mans naneY'
"Mr. Bascombe."
bad, very bad!" cried Mrs. Perkins. |
a look of real anxiety o%verclouding her
smile. Didn't you ever
hear,
Change the name and not the letter,
Change for the worse and not the
better
II you've got any other beau I wish
you'd reconsider. Now, I might have
married Silas Human. He was
me the same time with Me-
ancthen. and a good sight better-look-
ng he was then. too. But l wouldn't
lave him because my name began
With FL. | was a Hartweli. Just look
Silas now. He's been in the poor
louse for Owe five years. OF course
I'M not saying Melancthon and / are
my too prosperous, but we own this
little place, and he has his pension, and
Annie has sent us a hundred dollars
4 her salary every year since she be-
'an to teach, and 50 we are pretty
comfortable"
There isn't a neater, prettier housed
II the way from the four corners
chool to the village" said the girl.
Your garden, too, always looks SO
veil kept. It must yield you a good
.eal besides, doesn't it?''
Yes, but it would do a lot better If
delancthon would only put things in
n the right time of the moon. But
ell never pay any attention to me
bout that. Twas all his fault that /
aw the moon through glass last night.
1e seems to love to plague me. Say,
Iiss Bridgeford, do you sweeten your
before you put in the milk"
II never drink it,. she replied, laugh
lg, and wondering at the irrelevant
uestion.
"Well, III a you ever should be-
IN, I'll tell you always to put in the /
ugar first. or you'll be crossed In love. |
m worried about that name Bas- /
ornbe. you see. Now, don't look SO
n~believing, for 1 could tell o a lot /
cases. There was Miss Springer, [
Tho But here's Melancthon COM /
e from the postofice. Seemed like /
couldn't wait any longer to know {
hat that bad news was. and since no. /
ody had coIne to tell it. It must be in 4
letter. | made him so earlier'n nsn-
so ] could have II over with /
The 0ld man prnntnd Mice Rr;5vaf,pa I