The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-02-04

On, yes there are great many
more"
"You will bring me some, then p
"Well, what shall bring 2"
"No matter, so that they are good
and, mind, you must always call me
Esop."
The servant obeyed, and little by
little Esop, as he was thencefor-
ward called, read through his fathers
library. He was content with his
student life, until one day, when he hap
pened to see handsome young knight,
splendidly mounted, galloping across the
country. "Who is that chevalier who
sits on his horse so CALAMITY 2"
at is the Chevalier Ph@bus.'
"Aud who is he2"
"Your brother"
But L have never seen my brother. "
He does not want to see YOU"
"And Why"
Because you are n hunchback."
"Ah! L had forgotten. And where
is he coming from2"
"From the chateau that you see from
the window.
"And what was he doing there 2"
agreeable to the young girl whom he
wishes to marry"
And she loves him."
"She will certainly love him, for he
is so handsome, and then he rides splend-
idly"
"And is he wise 2"
"Not overmuch ; indeed, he knows
very little. Your mother has often told
him that he was so beautiful that he
needed nothing besides to make him
loved"
cat what age do people marry9"
AT twenty, if one wishes"
"Well, want to be married."
"To whom 2"
No matter whom. Have me some
fine clothes made, and tell them to sad
die for me a magnificent horse; am
going to ride. So they made Esop a
mantle embroidered with gold, and led
out splendidly-caparisoned Arabian.
He eagerly donned his handsome
suit, sprang on his horse, and then,
as he said, started off to seek his for
tunes.
1t was scarcely two hours after when
the boy returned bitterly weeping, his
elegant mantle sadly torn and covered
with mud.
"What is the matter, my poor mas
ter 2" cried his servant.
ooh, l am very miserable !"
"What has happened"
81 have seen a beautiful young girl,
rosy as the dawn, and serene as the
starry night. She was at her balcony
when | passed, 50 l looked at her with
eyes full of admiration, 1 joined my
hands in supplication. / would have
given my life for her. But when she
saw me she burst into laughter then /
spurred my horse SO fast that l fell off
and rolled on to my back.
You have hurt yourself !"
"Never mind that. The laugh of the
young girl has wounded me so that
feel nothing else. My friend, L want to
die"
g That is not possible. E"
Why not 2"
First, because you would be lost for
killing yourself, and then you have still
many years to live"
Who says so9"
"The magician"
"What magician ?"
Then the old servant told the boy the
history of his birth and baptism, and the
family council over his cradle.
"What will become of me then ?" said
poor Esop. "Shall 1 give you some
advice 2" continued the kindly old man.
" AS you cannot enjoy the pleasures that
your brother lives for, you must seek
comfort elsewhere; your soul is pure and
good though your body is deformed, SO
if you learn the art of charming through
your soul the best men will envy you
the gift"
We'll, in my place, what would
you do2"
81 would learn to play the flute"
"What, blow into bit of wood like
blind beggar That would make my
cheeks as ugly as my back.
1T is, however, fine instrument"
I" But there must be others 2"
eyes there is the harp"
"What is that like 2"
When the old man explained, Esop
said, "Bring me harp"
The poor boy was so sad that he felt
the need of pouring out his sorrows in
some way, even if he had no human ear
to listen TO him. With the instinct which
God gives to the suffering soul, and TO
the poet, for poesy and pain are sisters,
he soon learned to express himself in
song, while his fingers produced the
sweetest musical Accomplishments to the
equally lovely voice. His heart would
swell with the loftiest strains, while his
sapphire eyes glistened with emotion.
Grief had made him poet, and his
love soon found voice in delicious bal
lads, written in praise of the young girl
that he had seen on the balcony. When
he finished singing, he would allow his
head to droop in his hands, while he
dreamed.
Some one knocked at the door.
"Who sings here 2" said sweet voice.
"It is L" said Esop.
"And who are youi"
I" I AM the elder son of the Count"
"Ah! poor child, will You ever for
give me ?" said the retreating voice.
I" Who is the woman that speaks so
sadly Z" demanded the young man.
"!t is repentant mother" replied
the old servant.
She repents of what"
"Of having so long neglected her
son."