Year: 1877

The Gypsy's Prediction


Ezra Alden was in love with Clara
Scuddcr; and sometimes, in moments of
great exultation-ior he was modest
youth, as every true lover should be-he
had dared to think that she did not frown
upon his passion.


But Clara was the 'Squire's daughter
and an heiress, while Ezra was but small
farmer and so far from successful in that
pursuit, that it seemed absurd, as well as
impossible, that he should aspire to the
hand Of the lovely Miss Scudder, who had
been courted in vain by even the London
gentlemen.


So he had sighed aud cast longing looks
from his place in the choir, (wherc he sang
n fpe tenor voice on Sundays, into the
Squirc's pew; and more than once he
thought pretty Clara blushed brightly, and
he knew that she always smiled sweetly,
and her voice when she spoke to him had
caressing sound, and altogether her man.
ner toward him was not discouraging.
But Ezra would not be encouraged.
He felt that il was useless for him to
ask the Squire for his daughters hand
unless he had good pot of money in his
own hand with which to back his propo-
SAL


So, instead of trying to compass the
desired end by increased industry, he neg
cctcd his little farm more than before,
aud spent his whole time in wishing that
be could find pot Of money somehow, in
the manner Of old,lashioned stories-at
the foot Of a tree under the foundation Of
his house.


believe he would even have sought
for it at the end of the rainbow, like the
boy in the nursery rhyme, if he had been
told that there was good chance of find,
ing it there,


Suddenly u rumor spread abroad that a
wonderful gypsy had appeared who was
telling peoples fortunes that came true in
the most remarkable manner, and all tho
countryside was in state Of excitement
on the subject. She was somewhat of an
exclusive character, this madam gypsy,
aud could only be consulted in certain
place, in the shadow of wych-elm in the
open air; aud during certain hours-these
hours between the last rays of the decln.
Ing sun and the first shadows of coming
night


Of course the rumor Of the gypsy's mar.
Yelous iortuno.telling reached Ezra Alden,
and equally, of COURSE he was much ex-
ercised in mind concerning it.


lie found out the place where the for
tune'teller OWNED these fair fortunes.


One evening, after Watching the sun
slowly disappear behind the western hills,
he repaired thithcr, steathiy, and little
afraid Of meeting Clara Scudder some
where in the vicinity, for the wych.elm
was just on the further side Of the Squire
park.


However he met no one except hur-
ned squirrel, fast speeding to its home,
aud 1t was even more scared at being met
than Ezra was, so he hastened to the
Wych-elm, and there, sure enough, was
madam gypsy, sitting curled up against
The trunk, and looking precisely as if she
was waiting for him


She was a very old woman bent almost
double.


Her lined aud wrinkle face was the
color of butternut, and the tangles of her
nalr hung in elflike grizzled locks about
her brow and over her cheeks.


But her black eyes had a wonderful
Drllaney and such keen look that they
seemed to see right through him,


She was wrapped in tat;ered old scar
let cloak, and hood Of the same was
drawn well over her head.


She gave quick nod to Ezra, and mo
: 'oned him to take seat at her feet,
which he did with his heart humping as
II he were before the Delphic oracle.
And when she spoke, he had to bend
his head aud listen very attentiyely, for
not only did she mutter her words in a
very toothless fashion, but she spoke in so
low q tone that he had some difficulty in
} hearing her.


but he male out that she said
r was expecting you, my son, and
{ Know what you come for.
And then she held out hand even
I more brown than her faec--a shaking and
trembling hand.


: Aheh Ezra made haste to cross the
palm with silver, that being as he well
knew, tho time-honored custom.
Ezra had in his pocket halfcrown
. piece with hole in il and cross drawn
/ Tor luck.
, so, as there could be no more auspi
s'oas occasion than the present for using
y he timidly placed it in the gypsy S hand
and again bent his car attentivcly to listen
70 her almost unintelligible mumbling.


n know the desire Of your heart, my
Pretty gentleman" said the gypsy. at !.
certain maiden not hundred miles
away, only you have the faint heart that
seldom wins fair lady But if you could
and pot Of money, your spirit would be
Ooder Listen to me, and obey me, and
you shall have your wish.


Ezra did listen with all his ears, aud, al
you may suppose, they were just then
Pretty long aud wide, aud capable Of tax
pe 10 a large amount.


You must dig up every foot of lant
you possess, proceeded the gypsy; "yot
must not grow weary in your search--yot
must dig aud dig continuously, and plan
! na harvest, and dig again, IL necessary
sea marx my words, sooner OF later, yo'
W., nnd the pot Of money aud the maidel
Viii ha vnr..'1s