Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-04-20
The Tall Vine-Dresser.

'I've heard tell of some animal that
climbed tree to feed upon the leaves, and
when the last leaf was eaten, tumbled
down and broke its neck. That's Just how
it'll be with you, expect"
so spoke old Michael Bross TO Claude.
Finding himself strong enough TO work,
Claude fell TO it with q will, and his
strength increased with every days work
he did, till In few years he was able not
only to help his father, but TO show him
self the stronger Of the two.
"You undutiful boy" laughed old
Bross one day, as he threw down his spade
quite tired out, while Claude was still
working away as if he would never leave
OH. ''aren't you ashamed TO get ahead of
OF your father in this way9"
'l'll do more than that before I'm
through, daddy" chuckled Claude, shovel
ing away like giant.
And so he did; for his size kept pace
with his strength, and he soon snot up
into perfect giant. Tall as Michel him.
self was, his son overtopped him by a full
head;a the village folk saw with amaze
ment the puny little weakling, whom they
used TO pity, standing before them a huge
brawny fellow seven feet high, with a
face as brown as a nat, and an arm that
could have felled an on.
But instead OF using his strength to
bully his neighbors anu knock down anv
one who offended bIm, he was the most
friendly, goOdtempered man alive. Did
Il horse fall down, or a cart stick fast in
the mud, or man find his bundle too
htAuU inn oh
ders and strong arms were always ready
TO set matters to rights; and saying went
abroad among the country people, Claude
Bross is as good as he's big"
Claude started TO the city on one occa-
sion with cart. He had long journey,
but got TO the end al last, and was almost
within sight of the place when he passed
church, and saw through the open door a
crowd of people at the service.
Now one OF the things which Claude
had learned from his father was never TO
be ashamed of saying his prayers any
where. no matter how he might be laughed
at. SO he pulled up his cart, went In, and
knelt down with the rest but he was so
tall that, even when he was kneeling, his
head rose far above the crowd.
Now it happened the King of France
himself, Louis XIV, was in the church at
the time, and when he saw this great black
head towering above all the rest, he
thought this must be some rude fellow
standing up while the others were kneeIng
on purpose to affront tnem. So he got very
angry, and told one of his officers to 90
and make that man kneel down at once.
Away went the officer, and came back
presently with his eyes very wide open
indeed.
''Your majesty" said he, 'the man ts
kneeling; but he's such giant that he
locks just as if he were standing, all the
same"
The king was quite astoplshed, and al
most thought the officer must be making
fun of him; but he onig said
'Well, bring him to me as soon as the
service is over"
$50, when the people were beginning to
come out OF church, our friend Claude felt
a tap on bis arA, and saw richly dressed
man beside him, who said that the king
wished to speak 20 him. The king
praised his department, and finding out
he mad particular wine called Macon
wine, told him TO send him q supply for
his table. SO Claude made not only his
own fortune, but that of sll of his neigh
bors; for from that day the ''Macon wine"
was famous throughout France.
And If you ever travel through Macon
you will be pretty sure to hear the story
OF big Claude" and his vineyard, which
the peasants still tell their children, to
show what man can do for himself by
honest hard work.