The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-04-19
Nv husband George Bruat, and

Tomenthal. My husband George Bruat, and
nv son-in-law Frederic, here present, plan
ted the first seedlings of these oaks, and pines,
forests of which now stretch across the two
valleys; and we all father and son, have
lived honestly, in this house. We have made
improvements. We have rurrounded the
garden with hedges, ond planted al! the trees
in the orchard. We have economical in Or
der to buy the meadow and build the stable
and barn. Drive us from this house! All
the scoundrels. These are German ideas
Well, let them come! 1t is I, Anne Bruat
who will talk to themp'
coald not calm this poor old grandmoth-
er. Everything she said was true. But with
men who believe that force is everything, and
that shame and injustice are nothing, what
good to talk to them? AS she sat down all
out of breath, asked her quietly and sadly,
Grandmother, do you wish that l should
take the German oath p
"Nop she answered.
"Well, then, in forty eight hours we must
all leave this old house."
"Neverp she cried, 81 will never leave it."
And I, my heart aching, said to her, Il
tell you that you must do it. I wish it. 1t
is the first order have ever given since my
coming here, You know that 1 have always
had for you the greatest respect. May these
Germans be thousand times cursed for hay
ing compelled me to show you any disrespect.
l detest them more for it, if that were pos
sible! But do you not understand rand
mother, that these brutes have no pity even
for old age? If they met with the least re-
sistance on your part they would drag
YOU by your gray hairs. Yon are not
strong; they are; and that is enough
for them! Do you not think that l,
witnessing such spectacle, would
rush upon them even if they were regiment
and that they would kill me? Then what
would become of you, you and my daughter?
You see how it is. Pardon me for speaking
| so harshly, but do not wish one moment OF
grace; neither do you; am sure of it. They
would not give it. They have no mercy"
| She burst into tears, stammerng,
80! my God my God to quit this house.
where hoped to see my little grandchid
happy and to rock yet my little great grand
children. Oh my God, why have you not
called me sooner?"
The great blow had come. The women
comprehended that they must 60 away, per-
haps for ever, that nothing could hinder that
| fearful misfortune. 1t was already something
but another duty as painful remained. Rails
| ing my voice l said, jean Merlin, you asked
of me last summer my daughter in marriage,
| and I accepted you as my son, because knew
and loved you. But then was brigadier
forester, and when was pensioned off my
post was promised to ycu. Without being
rich l had enough; my daughter could be con-
sidered good match. Now l am nothing.
| To tell the truth am poor man. You
yourself, you are without place. Your old
mother must be cared for. The support OF
wife in the midst of all these misfortunes must
appear burden to you. That is why, Jean,
my honor and that of my daughter obliges
me to give you back your word. Things are
no longer the same. Marie Rose has nothing
and can understand that an honest man in
an occasion so grave could change his mind"
Merlin turned pale as he listened to me,
and in a husky tone said,
IT asked you for Marie Rose for herself
Father Frederic, because love her, and she
loves me. did not ask for your place, nor
for the wealth that she might have. If had
ever had such thought I should have been
rascal. And now claim her all the more.
have seen that she has heart,' and rising,
| IL Id 11oa Cd
Scarcely had he called than she turned, her
face bathed in tears, and rushed into his
arms. They embraced each other, and l
thought,
'sAll is WELL" 1t was my great consola-
ton in all these fearful troubles.
After that, George, in spite of my desola-
lation, we were calm. Merlin and agreed
that he must 60 next day to carry our reply
to Zornstadt-''No, Monsieur Oberforester,
we will not serve the king of Prussia"
wrote my ietJer at once and ne put IL lnuo ais
pocket. 1t was also settled that should go
early to Granfthal to seek some place where
we could lodge with our furniture. The
three rooms on the first floor of the inn
of Father Yekel had been unoccupied since
the invasion, not a traveller coming into the
country. A place would not be wanting in
the stable, and l hoped to hire them cheap.
| As for Merlin, he must inform his mother,
and told us that she would 60 at at once to
Fesburg, where uncle Daniel would be hap
PIP to receive her.
Jean charged himself also TO inform M.
Laroche of what had happened, and tell him
that I should 90 to see him after we had
moved. Then he kissed Marie Rose, said
some pleasant words to grandmother and
went out. accompanied him to the door
and shook hands with him. 1t was night
freezing cold-the sky sparkled with stars.
What time to quit the barrack and seek
another refuge.
Happy are those who have no thought for
the morrow, and whom God alone governs,
without kings, without emperors, and with
out ministers. They have not the quarter of
our griefs! The squirrel, the hare, the fox,
all the animals of the woods and the plain
receive their new fur at the beginning of
winter. The birds of heaven receive fine
down. Those which cannot live in the snow
for want of insects to nourish them, have
received wings which permit them to seek
more beautiful sun. Man alone receives
nothing! Neither his work, foresight nor
courage can preserve him from misfortune.
His fellow creatures are his worst enemies
and his old age is often the height of his mis-
cry. Such is our lot.
At last we went to dream alone, each in
| l., ~ ha xxybio
had fallen on us.