Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-10-29
Ghi1dren's department.
THE DISHONEST PEASANT.

In the year 1894 poor Frenchman was
passing the winter in village in Germany.
One cold morning he had occasion to buy a
load of wood. He found peasant who had
one to sell, and asked him what the price was.
The peasant, who perceived by his broken
German that he was foreigner, and that his
ignorance might be taken advantage Of an
swered that the price was three louis d ors.
The Frenchman endeavored to beat him
down, but in vain. At last he took it, and
paid the money that was asked.
The peasant, delighted to have made so
good bargain, drove with his empty cart to
the village inn, which was not far distant,
and ordered breakfast. While it was getting
ready he entertained the landlord with an
account of the way in which he had cheated
the Frenchman, aud made him pay three
louis d. ors for load of wood which, at the
utmost, was not worth more than seven shil-
lings and sixpence-talking as if he had done
a very clever thing.
The landlord was good man, and told
him that he ought to be ashamed of himself
thus to have taken advantage Of the igno-
rance of poor foreigner.
"Well," said the peasant, with a scornful
laugh, "the wood was mine; had a right to
ask Just what pleased for it."
The landlord made no reply. When break
fast was over, the peasant asked how much
was to pay. The landlord replied, "Three
louis d. ors."
"Whatw said the peasant, "three louis d
ors for cup of coffee and few slices of
bread and butter!'
"Yes," said the landlord, with the utmost
composure; "the coffee and bread and butter
were mine I have right to ask just what I
please for them. My bill is three louis d.
ors and shall keep your horse and cart un-
til you pay me- fyou think am charging
you too much, you can 60 before the Judge"
The peasant, without saying anything more
went to the Judges Office and made his COM
plant. The judge was surprised and indig-
nant at the landlords extortion, especially as
he had always borne an excellent character.
He ordered him to be brought before him,
and his reception of him was somewhat stern
But the landlord told him the whole story
how the peasant had taken advantage Of the
poor immigrants ignorance to cheat him, what
their conversation was, and how his own con.
duct was simply visiting upon head of a
dishonest man the wrong he had done to an
other.
Under such circumstances the Judge deci-
ded that the landlord had done right, and
that the peasant should pay the three louis d
ors. The peasant, with a very ill grace, drew
out his purse and laid the money on the ia
BILE.
II do not want this money" said the land
lord to the judge, "as your honor may we'll
suppose. Will you have the goodness to
change one of these louis d. ors, and gi i've the
peasant seven shillings and sixpence out of
it-for that, as he confessed to me, is all that
his wood is worth-and return the remainder
to the poor Frenchman For the breakfast
I want nothing"
The Judge counted out the seven shillings
and sixpence to the peasant, and dismissed
him with severe rebuke. The rest was re-
turned to the Frenchman, who, on hearing
the story, went to thank the kind innkeeper,
and with great difficulty persuaded him to
accept small sum for the peasants break.
fast.