Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1905-06-15

Look, kind SlrS ana pretty gentle
men," he cried in n shrill, wheedling
voice, holding up for their gaze box
of plain gold rings. surely some one
here about hath marriage on his mind,
and where can he buy the wedding cir
clet cheaper? Solid gold and only 10
sbillings! Buy, buy! Who will buyT
His keen glance, searching about the
room, fell on Josiah Taunston, who was
regarding the peddler's endeavors cold
ly, q sneer on his face. The fellow
quickly gave him his back, so as not to
waste even another glance on such an
unpromising customer, when he spied
Simon Kempster, red faced and con-
scious edging near to him.
What wilt thou, m'sieur-a marriage
circlet? By our lady, with thy yellow
locks and sturdy limbs I wot thou'd
make a bonny bridegroom
The idlers about Uttered, nudging
each other with sly winks, and Simon
to cover his confusion fell on his knees
ON the floor. making a show of examin-
ing some trinkets that were in
chamois skin bag.
i" "'Twere FOOLS work, Simon, to buy
the ring unless thou hast thy sweet
hearts sure promise" young Hugh
Haggott called from his place near the
door.
The wary peddler thought to try an
other tack. Fumbling among his
wares, he soon produced a handful OF
silver heart shapes strung on fine
chains, and, selecting one, he dangled
it enticinEly before Simon's eyes.
Happen thou and thy maid have
quarreled," he observed, "an' thou
would carry one of these to her for
peace gift. 'Twould bring thee luck in
thy courting," he added persuasively
as he saw n gleam of desire for the
gewgaws in Kempster's eyes. "Oh,
rare luck, m'sieur, / do promise thee,
and only shillings! Half the price I
paid for them in the principal mart In
Paris."
Forcing the chain into Simon's hands
as If it were settled fact that he had
purchased it, the vender turned his at
tention to the securing of other Gus
toners.
''Silver heartsw he cried Justify.
"Sure harbingers of good luck and a
successful wooing! Cheap at shill-
ingsl Contains a charm which will
cause the most trifing or stubborn
maid to o'ercome her scruples and
name the wedding day"
II, 4 ~
superstition and a firm belief in signs
and magic, the word charm had a
strong attraction. Men lettering about
the door drew closer to the man dis
playing his wares and regarded the sill
yer hearts with interest. Simon delved
into his pocket and brought out the
shilllngs.
'I' truth, / ha' not much faith in
what thou doth say of the charm" he
said, rising awkwardly, with hot
flush on his face, "but as tits pretty
trinket will take one of thee"
Now who's next?" cried the peddler.
as this the only gentleman who Is to
speed well on his wooing?"
He wheeled around suddenly, and,
his glance falling again on Josiah
Taunston, who was now looking on
with much interest, he cried, with an
appearance of sympathy: Solemn Wis
aged sir, mayhap thy sadness is due to
the caprice OF thy sweetheart. II it's
so, carry her one OF these, and thy
troubles are ended. / warrant thee she
Is thine IN less than a fortnight. Dia-
BILE! These charms have never failed"
Taunston put down his tankard and
lounged over to the man, assuming an
appearance of Indifference as he han
died the trlnket
"And hast had proof of the value OF
the charm these contafn?' he asked in
u low, stern tone.
AYE, marry" cried the vender,
"many more than / can tell. am
known from one end of the country to
the other by all languishIng lovers!
Why, fair sir" with convincing homes
ty of tone and manner, ''the mobiles buy
of me, and l have even been admitted
at the court My love charms are
world famed! Step up, m'sleurs, only
4 shlllngsw he called
'By the mass, / had a sure proof of
their value within the month";" he con-
tlnued, addressing Josiah, but speaking
In loud voice so that all might hear.
AT Sterndorf, over the mountain,
was delayed by the storm and had a
room In the tavern there next to gal
liant gentleman, an English noble, hold
Ing high rank at the French court and
in high favor with the king. who had
missed his way and lay there Ill OF
pest. All through the hours OF his fever
and pain he moaned sorely for his lady
love, who, he lamented, was pining for
his presence and whom he feared he
would neer see again. | sold him one
of these heart shapes, an, m'sieurs,"
the peddler announced triumphantly,
holding them high aloft In his hand,
that day the storm abated, the next he
began to mend, and ere many days he
Jared forth on his journey. And the
first thing I saw as I approached your
village, good slrs, was this same gal
liant riding by the side of most beau
teous lady, both merry an the light OF
happy love shining In their eyes. Stand
ing by the wayside. I pulled my hat or
TO the ground at their approach, an Sir
Godfrey La Fablenne"-he said the
name proudly-"wlth kind clyility doff-
ed his hat in return an gave me pleas
ant greeting.
"'With all respect and reverence, my
lord quoth /, the love charm hath
workedr
"The lady blushed, and my lord
threw me "a gold piece.
"Thou chargest not enough for thy
valuable wares, good fellow he quoth,
so / will further compensate thee
AN they rode away close together,
gently, and so great was the
love and happiness on their faces that
| watched them with tears In mine
eyes until they entered the forest"
Josiah Taunston, who during this re-
cital had grown pale TO the lips, with
trembling hands clutched the heart
shapes tighter.
who'll buy, m'sieurs! Loves magic!
Whoe'cr buys heart perforce must
soon buy II clrcletw the peddler cried,
not seeing his companions agitation.
Hast any charm that contains evili"
Josiah said In n voice so low that he all