The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-11-09
THE WHITEST HANDS;
Or
WHO SHALL WIN THE PRIZEs

This IS not the story or king, Dut or
humble peasant girl the scene is not
laid in camp, but in village, at
time when Bonapsrte's wars had not
yet given to the simple name of Ber-
nadotte Qittle Bernard) the historic glow
which still surrounds it.
A man and his wife had an only
daughter, and they were so proud of her
that she had scarcely come into the
world when they began to think of her
marriage. The man, laboring with the
greatest perseverance, sought to accum-
ulate for her one of those attractive
doweries which fascinate rich young
bachelors the wife seconded his efforts
so courageously, grabbing in the ground
all day and scheming all night, con-
stantly preparing the brides outfit, that
she fell sick and died, not being willing to
call in the doctor, that she might save
the cost of the remedies.
Father Hugh, left alone with his
daughter, was only the more anxious to
have son-in-law, some sturdy laborer
possessing competence, one who would
insure both the prosperity of his house
and the happiness of his beloved Ber-
nadotte.
When she got to be eighteen years of
age there was no lack of suitors. Father
Hugh owed to his avarice the reputa-
ton of a man in easy circumstances
one who had cleverly turned his pennies
to account by making short loans at
rate of interest not sanctioned by the
code; but all young men wishing to
marry took very good care not to re-
proach him with any infraction of the
statute; the sin would remain with the
father-in-law, and the profits with the
grandchildren so they rubbed their
hands and repeated the universal pro-
verb, "'Tis an ill wind that blows no.
body good y
Bernadotte, worthy of her size in
economy and in activity, trudged to
town every forenoon to sell her chickens,
eggs, and fruit. She frequently en-
countered young Micoutet, the plough
man, who would drive up his oxen to
the end of the furrow by the roadside,
and keep them standing long time to
bid her good morning, and to chat with
her about the rain, and the fine weather,
and the chickens, and the cows, and the
growing corn, and the beans that were
about drying. Bernadotte, no matter
what might be her haste to get to mar
ket, always had a few moments to spare
for her tslkative little friend, and even
after leaving him to go back repeatedly
to answer, as far as he could make her
hear them, the last kind words which he
sent after her over the hedges.
Arrived at the market place, the first
customer whom Bernadotte usually
found there was the young baker, Cas-
terez, who, under the pretext OF ex-
amining her eggs and fruit, prolonged
the conversation full hour, praising
the bright feathers of the chickens, their
remarkable plumpness, and bestowing
a thousand compliments ON tho clever
housekeeper who knew how to get them
into such nice condition. Passing
from words to acts, he would bargain for
the entire lot, appear perfectly satisfied
with the price, and carry the basket OIL
his shop, where the fair merchant al
ways found some refreshments and q
couple of nice tarts garnished with
sweetmeats.
Bernadotte, on returning home from
market, hghtened of her load, passed be-
fore the shop of the hairdresser Firmin
young dandy as frizzled and smoothly
shavedjas the little st. John in the pro,
cession of the Fete Dieu. M. Firmir
had just completed his tour through
France, as stated on handsome sign il
big letters, adorned with a pair O
scissors and razor, after the fashion O
heraldic shield stamped with doubl,
device.
"Heigh Bernadotte," exclaimed tn
artistic barber. " have you any eggs u
sell me to-day Z"
Bernadotte nodded afirmatively. Sh
had been careful to conceal q dozen fror
the wholesale buyer, Casterez, purposel
to have some left for M. Firmin. Pru
dence is the mother of certainty. Mioor
tet was undoubtedly very attentiv
Casterez very devoted, but M. Firmi
was no less agreeable, and nobody kns'
what might happen.
The eggs were accordingly handed
M. Firmin, who found their FRESHNESS
worthy of her who brought them. Ia