The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-12-20
Young Folks.
Armand.

n poor workman named BertranC
had six young children, and he wa
very much troubled how TO supper
them. BY increasing misfortune thu
year was sterile, and bread sold fol
twice as much as the year before. Ber
trand labored day aud night; and al
though he worked very hard, 1t wa
impossible for him to earn enough o
the poorest kind of bread to satisfy the
hunger of his famishing children. He
was greatly discouraged. One day hi
called together his little family, and
with tears In his eyes he said:
"My dear children, bread has become
so high that, with IN my labor, 1 can
not earn enough to support you. You
see that 1 have to pay as m uch for this
little piece of bread as can earn in one
day. You must be content to divide
with the little can procure; there GER
tainly will not be enough to satisfy you
but there will be at least enough to keep
you from starving"
The poor man could say no more. He
raised his eyes toward Heaven and be-
gan to weep. His children wept also,
and each one said, "May God come to
our aid, poor little unhappy ones that
we are. Help, our Father, and do not
let us die of hunger"
Bertrand divided his bread into seven
equal parts. He kept one piece for him.
cotf anJ ,l;st,;hrtn,v tba ntbar, a ~, IN ~
the children. But one Of them who was
called Armand refused to receive his
portion, and said, "I cannot take any,
my father, 1 feel sick, eat my share or
divide it among the children"
my poor child, what is the matter ?"
said Bertrand, taking the child into his
arms.
"I am SICK" replied Armand. "I am
very, very sick, l want to 60 to bed."
Bertrand carried him to his bed, and
the next morning, overwhelmed with
grief, he went TO the doctor, and begged
him to come out of charity to see his
sick son and to help him. The doctor
who was a pious man, went to Ber-
trsnd's, although he was sure that he
would not be paid for his visit. He ap.
preached Armand's bed, felt of his
pulse, but he did not find any symptoms
of disease. He found that he was very
weak, and to reanimate him, he want
ed to prescribe something.
"Do not order anything for me, for I
will not take anything"
"You will not take 1t and why not if
you please?"
"Do not ask me, sir, for cannot tell
you."
"And what prevents you, my child?
You seem to be quite an obsti nate little
boy"
doctor it is not obstinacy, assure
you"
81 am glad to hear it, but do not
you, I will ask your father,
who perhaps will not be so myster-
lous."
"Ah, 1 beg you say nothing to my
father aboutit."
"You are very strange child, i must
absolutely inform your father, because
you will not tell me-"
"Oh, sir, be careful, 1 would rath er
tell you, but first beg you will send
my brothers and sisters out"
The doctor ordered the children to 60
out, and then Armand said:
"Alas, sir in time so hard, it is with
difficulty that my father is able to earn
l little poor bread. He divides it among
IS. Each one has small piece, and he
wishes to leave almost nothing for him
'elf. 1t makes me feel so sad to see my
brothers and sisters endure hunger. l
I'm the eldest and have more strength
han they have. would rather not eat
10 that they can divide my portion. 1t
s for this that ! pretend to be sick and
annot eat, but I beg you will not let
ny father know anything about It,"
The doctor wiped his eyes and said :
"But are you not hungry my dear
riend ?"
II beg your pardon, sir, am very
hungry, but that does not hurt me as
much as to see them suffer-"
"But you will soon die if you dc not
flourish yourself"
II feel it sir, but / will die willing ly;
ny father will have one mouth less to
i'll, and when lam with the good God
will pray Him to give something to
ny little brothers and sisters to eat."
The honest doctor felt extreme com.
passion and admiration at hearing a
'hild talk so generously. He took him
n his arms and embracing him said:
mo, my dear friend, you will not
lie. God, the Father of every one, will
AXE care Of you and your family. l
nank him for having sent me here. 1
will return soon."
He ran to his house and loaded one
'f his servants with all sorts of provis-
ons, and returned with him quickly to
and his famishing brothers.
He placed them all around a table, and
made them eat until they were satisfied.
It was a charming sight for the good
doctor to see the joy Of the innocent
creatures. On going out he req uested
not to worry himself, for he
would provide for all their necessities.
Each day he sent them an abundance
ofnourishment, Other charitable per.
sons to whom he told his adventure inn
ltated his benevolen ce. Some sent pro-
visions, some money, some suits of
clothes and linen, so in few days after
ward the little family had more than
they needed. AS soon as the prince was
told what the brave little Armand had
done for his father and brothers, full of
for SO much generosity, he
sent for Bertrand and said to him:
"You have an admirable child;
want to be father to him also. / have
ordered to be given you every year in
my name the sum of hundred crowns,
and all your children shall be
at my expense in any trade
that they choose, and If they profit by
1t 1 will have the care of their fortune"
Bertrand returned home overcome
II. L.. n l. 4 n