Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1869-07-28
Cur gonns folks.
The Little SaYOYard.

A poor little Savoyard came, once upon
a time, from the far mountain land to the
banks of the Moselle, then to Treves. He
had two white marmots one was his own
and the other belonged TO him by inherit
ance from a little brother who had died
away from his own native land. He made
the little animals dance, and the good peo-
pie of Treves willingly gave IAN a few
kreutzers.
One day the boy seated himself on a
large stone before the castle Of the Prince
Elector of Treves, and warmed himself in
the mild spring beams, which cost him
nothing. He thought of his distant home,
and the lear ones there, and how the sun
was making the sweet violets blossom
and the sun of love shone into the little
Savoyard's heart, and two large tears
started to his eyes. The little boy folded
his hands, and prayed for the health Of
those beloved ones.
The good God readily listens to such
prayers, and He moves the heart Of man,
that it may open, and then He fills it with
compassion. This it was that came this
time into a good heart, which dwelt in the
bosom of the Prince Elector, Clement
Wenzeslans. He was standing by a win
dow in the castle, and contemplated the
boy for some time in silence at length he
sent for him to see the marmots dance.
. Do you not sing ?" asked the Elector
kindly. 81 cannot" said the little boy
in a trembling voice, and the tears again
started to his eyes. The Elector proceed
ed to question him, in a confidential way,
so that the child might open his his heart
to him, which he accordingly did, and told
him all from beginning to end. Well"
said the Elector, "if matters stand thus,
you can sell me one of your little animals,
for l like them very much, and | will pay
you well for it."
The Savoyard thought a little, and then
said, THE two cages are rather heavy
for me to carry, sir, so you shall have
mine but | must keep the one that be-
longed to my little brother, for he was so
fond of it, and kissed it before he died"
The boy began again to weep, and the
| Elector passed his hand over his eyes [
think he wiped a tear away. To shorten
our story, they completed the bargain,
and the Elector paid for the little animal,
not as they do in Savoy, but in a princely
way. He then, with many thanks and a
joyful heart, went his way; and the
Elector gave the marmot to a servant to
take care of, and thought NJ more of the
little Savoyard.
The summer came and went it was
autumn, and there was a rich harvest of
grapes in the valley of the Moselle and
at length there were no flowers but those
in the windows at Treves, and the snow
- IL liz I'll - H. Al
However, the ice had thawed a little on
the large windows of the Electoral Palace,
partly from the rays of the winter sun,
and partly from the heat of the stove.
The Elector approached the window, and
looked out on the snow-bedecked land
scape, and thought of the poor who were
not SO well off as himself. And as he
was standing thus his eye fell upon a little
form which was covering under the castle
wall. He opened the window and looked
out it was the little Savoyard, who was
trembling with cold but he nevertheless
took off his hat with his frozen hand and
with a very sad face greeted the Prince.
The Elector called to him to come up and
warm himself, which the poor little fell
low gladly did. He then led him to the
fire, and said kindly, " How are you get
ting on, and where is your little marmot ?"
This question melted the poor boys heart,
and large tears rolled one after the other
from his large black eyes.
"Oh, sir, | am very badly off; my
poor marmot is dead. Is yours still
alive ?" The Elector led, YES" and
asked him how it happe-ed. "Ah sir"
said the poor boy, 81 think it pinned after
my little brother; l too cannot forget
him" The boy had still something upon
his mind, for he twisted his hat in his fin
gers and sighed very deeply.
Where will you get another ?" asked
the Eleetor. "Alas !" stammered the
boy, that is why l am come here, to ask
you if you will sell me back the one you
have. l will give you your money again,
and two crowns besides" He then walk
ed up to the table, aud, laying the money
down, he looked up imploringly into the
Electors face. But he said, al cannotd do