The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1916-12-07
Ghe
GYPSY'S
! CHARM
A Halloween Story
By CLARISSA MACKIE


Molly Ditson looked out from the
farmhouse on the hill, shading her eyes
with her hand. She saw a wagon lum-
bering along the road loaded with
camp equipage and human beings.
II do believe they're gypsies." said
Molly.
She watched them till they turned
OF the road and encamped on the edge
Of the old field woods.
A mans figure was walking In the
road. Molly watched him, too, and
saw him stop and look at the Gypsies
unloading their camp furniture. He
spoke q few words to them and pass
ed on.
"Joe Morton" remarked Molly to
herself. II wonder what he said to
them"
Molly descended the hill and, enter
ing the wood. saw . gypsy woman ap-
preaching her.
The slender. dark eyed nomad carried
q shawl wrapped bundle that proved
to contain q sickly infant. The young
mothers sad face frightened when she
saw Molly's friendly smile.
Lady" she pleaded, my little baby
% sick. ! can get no good milk. he
viii der
"No, mol" protested Molly. mo baby
shall starve for milk In Oldneld woods!
Sit down here on the leaves. and I win
70 home and get some milk for you"
you are very kind. beautiful lady"
murmured the weary mother as she
sank to the ground and laid the whim-
pering infant on the soft leaves.
Peoples say: Not give to gypsies.
they steal enoughr But. lady. my peo-
pies no stealr'
Molly smiled as the woman's head
nodded once or twice and then settled
into repose beside that Of the little
child.
81 mustn't tell Hannah that the milk
II for q gypsy" she thought as she
turned into a steep path that led d.
rectly up to her fathers orchard
'Hannah does detest the whole tribe
but that baby Is starving for milk, and
he shall have II. The very idea OF re-
fusing milk when Hannah feeds 1t to
the pigs every night!'
In spite of her defiance Of Hannah
Mix, the elderly housekeeper. Molly
was wary enough to approach the
milk house by the back way. She
opened the door and stepped within its
cool shelter. A little stream trickled
under the stone door, and Hannah had
her Jars of milk and crooks Of butter
set In the water.
Molly lifted down q shining pail.
Hlled II half full Of rich mornings milk
and escaped with her booty to the
wood. As she approached the gypsy
she noted that the woman was sitting
ND, wide awake. staring after the dis
appearing form Of q broad shouldered
man.
"who was thatr asked Molly
sharply.
"a prince" said the woman, display
ing two silver half dollars In her
brown palm.
"A princer' Knocked Molly. ''That
was only Joe Morton"
Fifteen minutes later Molly was bid
ding the gypsy woman and the smiling
baby farewell. The woman carried the
pail Of milk. and her dark eyes were
very grateful.
swat, iadyT she called suddenly.
And. setting the pail on the ground
she fumbled in her gay calico pocket
and finally brought out q little box.
From the box she extracted Q gold
ring, whose sole ornament was an ex.
tended hand
"wear this ring. lady" said the gyp-
" solemnly. "Some day win come Q
handsome stranger who wears another
ring like II. and the hands on the two
rings win ut together In q clasp. II Is
Q charm that never fails to work. The
handsome stranger win be your hus-
band"
Molly slipped the ring on her en-
gagement finger. kissed the baby and
then lifted mirthful eyes to the earnest
face of the woman.
81 thank you for the beautiful ring"
said Molly sweetly. But I am never
going to marry. What Them
you cannot help II. wearing the
charm" the woman nodded wisely.
Molly tucked q silver coin In the
brown hst Of the baby. and, promising
the woman that she would leave anoth-
er pan Of milk at the top Of the path
on the following morning. they parted
At supper time the telephone rang.
and merry voice informed Molly Dit
son that as this was All Halloween II
was proposed that the young people Of
the neighborhood should descend on
the Ditson house for the evening.
"Good!'' cried Molly as she hung up
the receiver Hannah Mix. have you
got anything In the house to feed nfty
hungry folksr
"Lord. helpr' screeched Hannah. Sc
cure In the knowledge that she had
well oiled larder. "lf they can put up
with crullers and cider and nuts and
apples don't care how many there ber
BY 8 o'clock the old house was ring
ing with laughter and music. Mr. Dit
son was Playing the violin. while