The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-06-13
MISERY'S PEAR.TREE,

MISERY'S PEAR.TREE.
An Ancient Legend Of Flanders.
ONCE upon 4 time, there lived in the
Village of Vicq. on the banks of the
Schcldt, Il good woman called Misery,
who went about begging from door to
door. In those days the Village of Vicq
was little better than hamlet. 1t lay
on the edge Of 4 marsh, and there were
only II few miserable farms covered
with ru>hcs to be seen. Misery dwelt
apart in a lonely hut plastcrcd with
clay. where her sole companion was
her dog. Faro, and her worldly goods
were staff and a scrip. which too often
she brought back almost empty. To
tell the truth, however, she had beside
in Il little Enclosure, behind her howell,
a trce-a single one. This tree was a
pear-trce SD beautiful that its like was
never seen since the famous applc-trec
of the Garden of Eden. The only de-
light that Misery experienced in this
world was to eat the fruit of her gar
den, that is of her pear-tree.
Cnhappily. the little boys of the viii
lage came to rob her Enclosure. Every
day Misery started forth with Faro to
beg; hut in the autumn Faro remained
at home to guard the pears, and it was
hcart-bre;king to both, for the poor
woman and the poor dog loved each
other with 4 great affection.
Now there came winter in which
for two whole months it hailed fit to
break the very stones. Then there fell
such snow that the wolves left the
woods and came into peoples houses.
1t was terrible time for the whole
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 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 mark of Joy.
For the love of Cod" cried plead
ing voice. "open your door to a poor
man who is perishing of cold and
hungerr'
Pull the latch-string," answered
Misery. lit shall never be said that
in such time as this would 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 a very
poor place, but 1 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 leapcd 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 coverlct of fustian
around him and forced him to lie down
upon her cot, while for herself, she
settled herself to sleep with her head
resting on her stool.
In the morning, Misery was the first
to awake.
II have nothing left" she said to
herself, land my guest will go hungry.
Let us see if there is no way to go 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 a spring day. She
turned back to get her staff and saw
the stranger risen and ready to leave.
What" said she, "are you going
already?''
my mission is fulfilled replied the
unknown. land l have to 60 to give
account to my master. / am not what
seem; | am Saint Wanon, the patron
Of the Parish of Condo, and have been
sent by the Good Father 10 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 burghcrs of Condo, the
Lord and the farmers of Vicq have let
me freeze at their thresholds. Thou
alone hast had pity upon me, and thou
art as wretched as /. God will reward
thee; make wish and it shall come to
pass"
Misery crossed herself and fell on her
knees.
''Grcat Saint Wanon,'' said she. g
no longer marvel that Faro licked vour
feet, but it is not for reward that do =
charity. Beside, have need of moth
ing"
"Thou art too destitute of everything
to have no wants; speak, what wilt thou
have?'
Misery kept silent.
"Wilt thou have q beautiful farm
with the granary full of wheat, thu
woOd-house full of wood, the cupboard
full of breadp Wilt thou have richest
Wilt thou have honorsp Wilt thou b,
a Duchess? Wilt thou be q Queen?''
Misery shook her head.
A saint who has anv self.respec
ought not to be under Obligation to ,
poor woman" returned Saint Wanon
with an air of pique. "Speak, or
shall think thou refusest me from pride. >
"Since you insist upon it. grea
Saint Wanon, I will obey. Ihave Cher,
in my garden q pear-tree which rive,
me most beautiful pears; unfortunately
the young rogues In the village come I,
rob me of them, and am forced {,
leave poor Faro at home to noun
guard. Grant that whoever climbs m,
pear-tree may not come down withou
my permission"
''Amen!' replied Saint Wanon
smiling at her simplicity, and after hsv
ing given her his blessing, he set on
upon his journey.
The blessing Of Saint Wanon brough
good luck to Misery, and from that tim
forth, she never returned home with Z,