National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1873-07-04

ueurb oi tne Boou man, VINO hlmsell
had eaten the bread Of misfortune, and
knew how bitter it was. But this was a
depth Of misery that ho had never
dreamed Of. He walked by the side of
the young girl, and they went toward
the Seine in coMplete silence. Anselm
gazcd fxedly at his young companion,
and his artists eye noted her beautiful
features, her queenly form, the delicate
rounding of her arms, and the beauty
OF her bare feet, which. though covered
with dust, were small enough for the
slipper of Cinderella. Her head was
small and gracefully posed upon n per-
feet neck, all but the upper part being
modestly covered by her frock of vii
filed with love, instead Of blood, and
his heart came leaping into his throat
He tried to speak, but his love and
timidity were so great that it was with
difficulty he could articulate.
"You have fine cow" said he.
"Would you like little milk ?" she
replied. 1t is so hot at the end of
May, and you have had long walk
from the city"
In truth, the sky was pure cerulean,
without a cloud, and the sun burned
worse than the heat of forge. The air
trembled with love and youth, and the
gracious aspect of Nature came to the
heart Of Anselm with n hitherto un-
dreamed of significance This ingenious
offer without hope of profit, and the
modesty of gesture with which the poor
girl turned to make it quite overcame
the goldsmith, who longed to have the
power to make her Queen of France at
that moment, so that not only her mas
ter the Abbot, but all France, should
be at her feet.
"No, my darling, I nm not thirsty.
That is, do not care for any milk, but
care greatly for yon, and would like
to gain you your freedom"
1t cannot be, and l shall live and
die belonging to the Abbey. We have
lived so for long time from father to
son, from mother to daughter. Like
my ancestors, shall pass my days on
these lands, and my children will after
me, for the Abbot will never permit me
to remain single"
What" said the Touraugean, edo
you mean to say that no gallant has
been tempted by your sweet eyes to buy
your liberty? l bought mine of the
King"
"Ah, it would cost too much. And
so those who see me once never seek
me again.
"Ahd did you never think OF going
to some other country on horseback be-
hind some brave gentleman ?"
"Oh, yes, Monseigneur but if
we're taken, / should be hung at the
very least, and my lover, were he even
great lord, would lose more than one
estate, perhaps all his possessions.
And I am not worth so m,ch. And
then the Abbey has long arms, longer
to reach than my feet would be quick to
get away. And besides, / desire to live
in humble obedience to God, who has
placed me in this state of life"
"What does your father do ?"
I" He works among the vines in the
gardens and vineyards of the Abbey"
And your mother p
She does the washing"
"And what is your name?"
81 have no name, my dear lord. My
father was baptized Etienne, my mother
is La Eteinne, and l am the little
Tiennette at your service"
"My darling" said the goldsmith,
"no woman did ever please me as you
have done, and | am sure that you have
a heart full of all nobleness. And see
ing that you r 'esented yourself to my
eyes at the very moment when l re-
solved to marry, l take it to be an omen
from heaven. Ii, therefore, I am not
to you, | pray you to tax
me for your friend and husband"
These words were uttered with so
grave an accent, and so impressive a
that Tiennette wept. No, Mon
seigneur," she replied, II shall cause
you a thousand sorrows, and shall be
your misfortune. Let it pass. I'm
poor serf girl. You have said enough
Ho, said Anselm, have /? You
don't know me, my girl, nor with what
sort of a man you deal.
"Then joining his hands together,
and raising his eyes to heaven, he spoke
out:
81 make n solemn vow to the Sieur
Saint Eloi, whose pity protects the
craft of goldsmiths, to make two inches
IF silver, and to adorn them with my
finest workmanship. One shall be for n
statue of the Holy Virgin, if she will
ntercede for the liberty of this my dear
wife, and the other for my patron St
Eloi if | have good success in this enter
prise of the enfranchisement of Tien-
lette, female serf, here present, to
which devote myself, goods and body.
And swear by my hopes of eternal hap
)iness to persevere with courage in this
affair, to spend every doit of what
possess, and to relinquish it only with
ny life. And now God has heard my
'ow, and you, little one, Also" said he,
urning to the young girl.
"Oh, my lord, my dear lord oh, my
'ow is running away" cried she, throw
ng herself on her knees before Anselm.
4 will love you all my life, only take
pack your vow."
"Let us go and catch the cow" re-
,lied the goldsmith, raising her up, but
without daring to kiss her, though the
'oung girl already loved him passion
tely.
And so the goldsmith ran after the
ow, who was soon caught and held by
he horns, for he was so full of JOY that
or two pins he would have tossed it in
he air, so strong he felt.
"Good bye, my darling. If you
ONE into Paris don't fail to come to my
louse, near the Church of st. Eloi.
IN called Master Anselm, and am the
Goldsmith to the Kings Majesty.
Promise me to be in this field next
iod's day /; don't fail to come, though
he sky should rain javelins."
Yes, good and dear Sir. To come {
would leap all the hedges, and wish /
nay be yours without causing any hurt ,
o you, even il it were at the expense of