Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-09-25
From EIIaa Cocks Journal.
THE LITTLE WOOD-GATHERERS
A STORY ron YOUNG READERS

One cold day in the month of De.
cember, 1920, two poor children, thir
and pale, half clad in rags, issuet
from "A cottage on the verge OF the
forest OF Sancy. The ground was
covered with snow; the trees wer,
stripped OF their leaves the vino
blew with terrible fury. IL was only
seven in the morning, aud scarcely
daybreak.
Nicholas and Frank, the two poo
little wood-gatherers, walked rapid
" towards the center OF the forest
Their feet wcre ll.protectcd by th,
old shoes they wore. Course liner
trowsers, blouse, and q bonnet o
rabbit-skin, completed their attire.
When thoy had walked consider
able distance they stopped at plac,
where several roads met.
"Stop, Frank, said Nicholas "tak'
this rope and bind up In II US mucl
dead wood as you eau gathor."
" Yes, BROTHER lHe
"When you have gathered enough
you can meet me at the entrance o
Tho forest"
The two brothers then separatot
and took uitiercnt roads. THEY hns
soon gathered sticks enough TO max,
n load apiece. Bending under theii
several burdens, they shortly aitel
met at tho place appointed.
Come on, Nichoiar, said Frank
1" lot Us make huste, for while wo ar,
lettering here mother IL suffering ii'on
tho colu.'
10, yea, tho wind blows from al
sides vi the hut, and the snow falls OF
The straw whore We sIvpt lust night.
"Ah, little robbers have caught
you again T. suddenIyshou'ed rough
voice close at hand.
Tho two boys, frightened. let theil
loads tall from OF their backs, anc
threw themselves Ut tho feet OF u mai
who now presented himself. lilo wa,
stlff, grulf.Iooking fellow, OF repul
sive VOICE and manners, and ho tlxeC
his cyes on tho two trembling boy,
with u fierce expression. lie wa'
dressed as u gamekeeper, and arriec
u gun upon his arm.
"Little good.ior. naughts," said he
i" isnt this the second time | ",
caught your
Pardon, pardon, Mr.. Sylvester,
cried the Two poor little boys, weep
ing.
"Ah do you suppose that you arc
10 be allowed 20 rou the MARQUIS oI
his wood Ia this way2 But ws shall
see"
t" But II is dead wood and when II
isn't picked up, II will only rotor the
ground, and then II is no use to any
body"
"Come, come, Mr.. Logieian, tax,
up your plumber and follow me"
{" Follow your And where2"
"To prison, little miscreants."
"To prison2 oh, good sir, in pity
spare us T.
No, | tell you"
But our mother may die of cold
she has only us in tho world 10 helI
her; and iiyou put US in prison, whal
will she do n
"lt's oil tho samo 10 me
40, you have neither heart mol
soul In you |" said ono Of the boys
almost desperate "well may they
Gull you Sylvester the WotfF
"Good ! perform my duty, ant
don't trouble mysolf about anything
else"
Listen, Mr.. Sylvester, F" said Mich
olas II am larger and stronger
than my brotaer, and gathered NOR,
dead wood than ho did; l am th,
moro guilty. Well, punish me us you
will punish me for both OF US, bul
send my brother back to the cot
tagc."
i" Nay, listen to mo, good sir" sale
Frank ait is | whom you must pu
in prison. Nicholas Is stronger
than me, aud his labor Is moro usoiu
10 our mother
Come no moro talking" sale
Sylvester "you needn't DO quito .,
jealous you must 20"
My poor mo'heri |" said Frank
sobblng US If his littIc heart woulC
break.
Tho two poor boys took up thoil
burdens, aud followed the hvartlesl
gamekeoper. As they passed betor,
che chateau OF the marquis, littl,
Nicholas said TO Sylvester
Before going " prison, | wish L
500 the marquis" 1fa as
In good tine said Sylvester =
4" here no comes"
In fact, the Marquis do Sancy wat
advancing 10 moot them.
ue was a nun OF about sixty 4
good figure, u noble.looking gentle
man. Ills white hairs ielI about hil
checks, and his blue eyes, full o
sweetness and kindly expression, in
spired confidence in those who locke,
him in the iaee.
'"Well, Mr.. Sylvester" said III,
marquis, In solt tone, "what ar,
you going TO do with those little chil
drenY
Ny lord, they are little robbers
whom have caught Tor tho secone
time, stealing your wood.
You know this wood docs not be
long to you, theny' inquired the mar
quis.
Yes, air."
"Then You arc very blamoable in
deed; for, when you had alread,
been forbidden 70 take IL, you ough
not ~ have done so.
We then must have laid down ans
diod oil cold, said little Nicholas, sad
'ly.
How, child what did you say 2
inquired the Marquis, very tender
Iy. ssF !.
Yes, sir, shall tell you tho truth
and you can judge whether we de
serve TO be punished or not. Gu
father was u woodman kept down