The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-06-15
MISERY'S PEAR.TREE,
An Ancient Legend of Flanders.

All Ancient Legend Oh Flan0erS.
Once upon a time, there lived in the
village of Vicq, on the banks of the
Scheldt, good woman called Misery,
who went about begging from door to
door. In those days the village of Vicu
was little better than a hamlet. 1t Law
on the edge of Il marsh, and there were
only a few miserable farms covered
with rushes to be seen. Misery dwelt
apart in a lonely hut plastered with
clay, where her sole companion was
her dog, Faro, and her worldly goods
were staff and scrip, which too
often she brought back almost empty.
To tell the truth, however, she had be-
side in little inclosure, behind her
howell, a tree-a single one. This tree
was pear-tree so beautiful that its like
was never seen since the famous apple
tree of the Garden of Eden. The only
delight that Misery experienced in this
world was to eat the fruit of her gar
den; that is, of her pear-tree.
Unhappily, the little boys of the vii
lage came to rob her inclosure. Every
day Misery started forth with Faro to
beg; but in the autumn Faro remained
at home to guard the pears, and it was
Misunderstanding to both, for the poor
woman and the poor dog loved each
other with a great affection.
Now there came winter in which
for two whole months it hailed fit to
break the very stones. Then there fell
such q snow that the wolves left the
woods and came into peoples houses.
I l, a. tbo l.
country, and Misery and Faro suffered
more than the rest. One evening when
the wind howled and the snow piled up
in great drifts, the two unfortunates were
nesting close to keep each other warm
before the dying embers on the hearth.
when a knock was heard on the door,
Always whenever anyone came near
the cabin, Faro barked with rage,
thinking that it was the little marau-
ders. This evening, on the contrary,
he began to whimper gently and to wag
his tail as a mark of Joy.
For the love of Cod cried plead
ing voice, "open your door to poor
man who is perishing of cold and hun
gern'
"Pull the latch-string," answered
Misery. 1T shall never be said that
in such time as this Iwould keep one
of the dear Lords creatures outside"
The stranger entered; he seemed even
older and more miserable than Misery,
and had no other covering than a blue
frock all in tatters.
"Sit you down, my good man." said
Misery. You have come to very
poor place, but l have still something
left to warm you up with"
She put her last stick on the fire and
gave the old man three morsels of
bread and a pear, which was all she
had left. Very soon the flame leaped
up and the old man ate with hearty
appetite. Now, while he ate, Faro
licked his feet.
When her guest had finished, Misery
wrapped her old coverlet of fustian
around him and forced him to lie down
upon her cot, while for herself, she set
tied herself to sleep with her head rest
ing on her stool.
In the morning Misery was the first
to awake.
81 have nothing left" she said to
herself, " and my guest will 90 hungry.
Let us see if there be no way to 90 and
beg something in the village
She put her head out of the door; the
snow had ceased to fall, and the sun
shone as if it were spring day. She
turned back to get her staff and saw the
stranger risen and ready to leave.
"What," said she, "are you going
alreadyP"
my mission is fulfilled" replied the
unknown, land have to 90 to give
account to my master. | am not what
l seem; am Saint Wanon, the patron
of the parish of Condo, and | have been
sent by the Good Father to see how my
faithful ones practice charity, which is
the first of the Christian virtues.
have knocked at the doors of the Bur-
gomaster and burghers of Condo;
have knocked at the doors of the Lord
and the farmers of Vicq; the Burgo-
master and the burghers of Condo, the
Lord and the farmers of Vicq, have let
me freeze at their threshold. Thon
alone hast had pity upon me, and thou
art as wretched as God will reward
thee; make a wish and it shall come to
pass"
Misery crossed herself and fell on her
knees.
"Great Saint Wanon," said she, 81
no longer marvel that Faro licked your
feet, but it is not for reward that | do
a charity. Besides, l have need of moth
ing"
"Thou art too destitute of everything
to have no wants; speak, what wilt thou
have?"
Misery kept silent.