The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-03-30
The Connt and tIle peasant.

/
"Whatever it may be-" replied the peasant
4 would not part with it for twenty crowns ;
but at this moment | happen to have great
need of the money ask of you. I sold some
wheat about week ago, and / ought TO have
received the money for it to-day. reckoned
this amount to pay my tax tomorrow, in or
der to save my property from being seized by
the collector But the poor man that owes me
has been called to bury his son. His wife is
sick with grief; and they are unable to pay
often bought goods of you, and as you know
me to be an honest man, thought you would
not hesitate to lend me these six francs, which
need so much. The amount is nothing for
you it is much for me- But however that
pledge. 1t is much better security than you
seem to regard it,
The merchant only laughed and shrugged
his shoulders, and unfeelingly shut the door
in the face of the peasant
The Count of G, happened to be in
the store at the time. He had listened atten-
with the air of honesty which appeared in the
countenance of the peasant He approached
him, as the merchant was turning him out of
the store, and put the six francs into his hand,
saying pleasantly
Here is what you asked for, my friend
Since you find it so difficult to get the money
Of others. | shall have the pleasure of oblging
you myself"
As he said these words, he went hastily out
of the store, casting behind him look of in
dignation at the merchant, entered his carriage
and the peasant struck dumb with astonish-
,,,art 4 1r,v- bod coroo a liffIa IN binoSalf
A month after this, as the count was cross
ing the Kings Bridge, in his carriage, he heard
some one CRYING to the coachman to stop. He
put his head out OF the window, and saw on
the footpath man running at the top of his
speed, following his horses. He Immediately
pulled the cord as signal for the coachman
to stop; and the man ran up to the window
of the carriage, and said to the count
al hope you will excuse me- sir; am quite
out of breath trying to overtake you. Are you
not the gentleman who slipped six francs into
my hand, in store about month ago?'
ayes, my friend. | recollect the circum-
stance" said the count.
| "WeA, sir here is the money that receiv-
ed from you. When you gave it to me, you
did not leave time enough for me to thank you
still less to inquire your name and place of res
idence The merchant did not know you
So have come here every Sunday since that
day, to see if you would not cross the bridge
| Happily, have found you to-day. | should
never have had any peace until / had met
you. May God bless you-you and your chill
dren-for the good you have done me-
"Irejoice, replied the count. Sin being able
to oblige so bonest "a man; but assure you,
that l did not intend to have you return this
money. meant to have you receive it as
small present"
knew nothing of that, sir; and have ney-
er received money before. except when | earn
ed it. had done nothing for you, and you
have done enough for me, in lending the mon
| ey. / beg you to receive it.
mo, my friend; it belongs no more to you
nor to me. Do me the favor to buy something
with it for your children, and present this lit
tie keepsake in my name"
''Very well; on those conditions it would i'll
become me to refuse YOU
"Well, say no more about the matter. But
answer me one question. How came you to
ask so confidently for six francs, on the pledge
of your hat which is hardly worth six sous
| have had my curiosity a good deal excited
respecting that matter, ever since the other
| day when we met"
'.rhat hat is worth everything to me-"
"How is that. my friend ?"
81 will give you the history of it. Some
years ago. the son of the lord of our village, as
he was sliding on small pond near the castle
fell through the ice. | was at work near the
place, and hearing the cries of the lad, ran to
the spot. leaped into the hole, and had the hap
piness of rescuing the boy, and of presenting
him alive to his father. The youth was not
ungrateful for the service rendered him. He
gave me several acres of land, with a little sum
of money, sufficient to enable me to build
cottage and to set me up in housekeeping
and this was not ALL AS / had lost my hat in
the water, he placed his own on my head,
saying as he did it, that he wished he was able
to put crown in its place. Tell me, now, if
you do not think ought to prize this hat?
do not wear it in the field when am at work
Everything there recalls the memory of my
benefactor, although he is now dead. Nv
children, my wife, my cottage, my land-they
all speak of him to me. But when | 90 to the
city, always wear this hat, so as to have some-
thing about me to remind me of him. | am
sorry it begins to wear out. Do you see? 1t
shows for ITSELF But as long as there is
single morsel of it remaining, it will be inval-
liable to me.''
The count had been an attentive listener to
this story; and when it was completed, he
took from his portfolio card, and giving it to
the peasant sad "Here is my address, my
friend. | must leave you now, But do me
the favor to call on me tomorrow morning.
The peasant was punctual at the appointed
hour. As soon as he was announced, the
count ran to meet him, and taking him by the
hand, he said to him, "My dear friend, you
have not saved an only son for me; but
you have rendered me great service for all
that. You have made me love men more, by
proving to me that there are hearts full of
honesty and gratitude. As hats figure with
SO much honor on your head. there is one for
you 1 do not ask that you give up that of
your benefactori | only desire that when you
cannot wear that any longer, you treat mine
in the same way; and every year, on the same
day. you shall find another to take the place of
i Al II