The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-16
CHAPTER III.
The Strdtc- Cutters Bdrgain.

The Strd,c Cutters Bargain.
Armelle's business was to keep the sheep
Aubin had charge of the horses and COWS. The
two went ont together, the boy carrying the
basket containing their dinners, the girl with
book in her pocket, and her distaf stuck in
her girdle In winter, the first thing was to
make q fire. Aubin managed capitally with
heather and dead branches, and the children
sat before it on two large stones, chatting
merrily. They baked their potatoes and ches
nuts in the ashes sang songs, and talked about
Marthe's kindness and Jean Patriarche's gen.
erosity. Sometimes Maclou joined them.
When Finaud was playing with Labrie. Maclou
was never far from Aubin and Armele His
love for them was passion, q worship, as it is
apt to be with the forlorn and desolate: he
would have died for either of them. After
their dinner, they fed the birds, which were 30
tame that they came to pick up the crumbs
under their very sabots. Sometimes Aubn
read stories to Armelle. She conceived great
idea of the dignity of her occupation when
she heard that Paris had been saved from a
terrible king by shepherdess, and a king of
France restored to his throne by another
What pity her name not Genevieve or
Jeanne, instead of Armelle!
When the day of her First COMMUNION came,
she wished to see her father and her adopted
parents took her to his cottage it was empty
Narcotic, who was passing, said, $50 to
MachecouFs tavern"
The child turned away with shudder, say
ing to Marthe, "Mother, let us go home"
But there was trial in store for her on the
way.
Her father met them, singing, shouting, and
cursing. Armele trembled from head to foot
but without hesitating moment, she went up
to him and said, Father, have been TO your
house to ask your blessing. God is giving me
great grace, and want You to share in it,"
Is that why you are all in white9 You are
fine lady now, fed and clothed with the best"
She took his hand fearlessly.
What do You want 7" Daniel asked
81 want to say just one word to YOU"
We'll, what is itP
Father, what you say is trne: 1 am we'll
fed, and clothed, and loved at Jean Patriarche's
and yet, for all that, my heart often aches.
should like to share your poverty and your
trouble. l want to be back in the house where
mother died. Send away La Gcrvaise, father
they say she is not really your wife-and let
me come back, and take care of you and love
you. father, you don't know how sweet it is
to be loved! May l come to you7"
The man burst into a loud laugh.
You want to preach, l suppose"
No." answered Armelle.
Well, then, to cry yonr mother did"
II will not cry" said the child.
Children are only trouble La Gervaise
suits me best"
He went away, and Armelle clung to Marthe
weeping bitterly. BY and by she said, ono
Their, it would have broken my heart to leave
you; but"
understand, child; and don't you suppose
l should have been sorry to lose my dau glitter
But there are only two roads, you sea wrong
and right one-and when you took the right
one wasn't going to stop you. Why Armelle,
l couldn't love you so much, unless YOU did
your duty"
so there was heavy cloud overshadowing
that blessed day-tho brightest and fairest in
child's life She was never again the same
merry, laughing creature as before; she grew
very ghtful-almost gloomy at times she
knew too much now. 1t was we'll for her that
she could rest on the tender and faithful heart
of Marthe. She felt SO safe under her motherly
wing SO sheltered by her love. The conduct
of Yves was another grief to the poor girl.
d..
He t"ied to wound and humiliate her in every
possible way. He told~her that he had met
her father at the tavern, or that he had seen
him fighting ;~he grudged her the clothes she
wore, aud the bread she ate he would sit
smoking by the we'll while he made her draw
heavy pals to fill the trough. She never re-
fused TO do anything she never complained.
This cruel Yves was the son of one who was |
both her master and her father, and she obeyed |
him in silence.
Armelle was turned fifteen. Pretty, pious
and the adopted daughter of the rich farmer
she had plenty of suitors but she refused
them all, saying simply that she was too Young,
and wished to stay with Marthe.
Ono winters evening it showing fast as
Armele was bringing her sheep home; the
wind was very high, and she could hardly
keep the hood of her cloak over her head, as
she struggled on blinded by the thick
lakes. Presently Labrie barked furiously,
and the sheep pressed close together,