Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-02-15
'EHE CtsANFEsFl.
An Bsthonian story. by Edonard In,
bOulage.

hh VA
An Bstboninn story. By Edonard In.
boulage.
In the neigborhood of Revel there one,
lived Woodmsn, who dwelt In misera
Bile hut on the border of forest. close tc
a deserted by-way. Loppi-for that was
his name-was as poor as Job, and also as
patient. To complete the resemblance
Heaven had given him wife who could
easily have outscolded the patrinrchs 6.
She was called Masicas, which signifies,
they tell us, Wood Strawberry. She was
not naturally ill-natured, and never got
out OF temper when people agreed with
her and did everything that she wished.
but Otherwise she was not quite so gen
tie. Ii she held her tongue from morn
ing till night, while her husband was at
work IN the forest or the fields, she made
up for it by scolding from night till
morning, all the time her lord and master
wns within doors. 1t is true that, as the
old proverb says, "When there is no Lav
in the rack, the horses begin fighting >
and abundance did not reign in the Wood
mans cottage. Spiders spun no web
there, because not single fly was to be
caught and n couple Of mice who came
In by chance, died Of starvation very soon
after.
Early one moCAiLg, when the cup board
was bare, and the gentle Masicus was
scoldlng louder than ever, the good man
shouldered an empty sack-his only treas.
ure-and took himself off with u heavy
sigh. He carried his wallet with him
every day when he went 10 seek work. or
rather to beg, glad enough If he could
carry homo thick slice of black bread.
cabbage or few potatoes, bestowed on
him through charity.
He was passing along the edge Of T.
pond on which the first rays of sunshine
were cleaning. when lie saw lying mo-
tlonless in the dewy grass, the black out
line OF some unknown animal. He adj
vanced close up to it with n noiseless step.
1t was an enormous CrGytish; he had
never seen the like. The morning sun. or
perhaps the fatigue OF crawling about the
grass. had apparently sent it to sleep in
an instant, without giving it time 10 c.
cape, he had seized it by the body and
whipped it into his sack. "What luck ="
thought Loppi; "and how pleased my
wife will be! II is a long while since she
has had such a treat.
He was jumping for Joy, but suddenly
stopped and turned pale. From the bot.
tom of the sack there issued, in sepul-
ohral tones, human voice. The GRAY.
Dish was speaking to him.
"Hola, brother ~ it said, "halt n mo.
nent and set me at liberty. I am tho
Senior OF all the Crayfsh-more than n
handred Years old. What good will NV
tough and aged carcass do you? A wolf
would wear out his teeth in chewing me
Don't abuse the chance which put me in
your power. Remember that, fike your.
self, am one Of Bon Deus creatures
nave pity on me you may one day want
somebody to have pity on you"
my worthy Crayfsh, "The Woodnan
answered, you preach to perfection .
but don't take it amiss if 1 can't listen IN
your rhetoric, For my own part. I Womb
eheerfully let you follow your own dew.
ces, but my wife expects me to bring her
something for dinner. If 20 back emn.
" handed-if / tell her that I caught H.
nnest Crayfsh that ever was seen and
then let 1t go again, she will kick mn
row that Will be heard as far ns Reyel
knowing her temper Ms I do, l should he
sure to catch taste of her bpoomstick
Are you obliged, the Craytsh asked
70 confess all your doings TO your
Loppi scratched his ear, heayed a SIGH
and then scratched his ear again.
"Ah, good friend" he said .if vo,,
only knew Masicas, how sharp she ia
yon would not talk in that way. She has
an irresistible art, whether YOU will or M
OF wormlng out your secrets from the
very bottom OF your heart. Resistance
is impossible. She will turn Won insi5e
out like a rabbit-skin. She will make
you tell her everything, and something
eise besides An, She is clever woman,
irregular gray mare-thorsughbredW
II see, my good fellow, the Crayfsb
Iepned' that you have been enlist.
ca IN the Good Husband Regiment
and congratulate you thereupon- Bnt
ss an empty compliment will render Won
small service l offer to purchase nv lib.
cry at prce which will not displeasc
madame; do not Judge me by appear
srfui Fairy, 1t will be q good thing for
YOU 70 accept my proposal. If you turn
:. ue"i ear you Will soon be sorry for
Good Heavens !" exclaimed the puy.
q nieu moodman, Il don't want to harm |
nving soul. Only settle matters to Ma
set yen free "''''ns "
,n Which hsh does your wife like best ,"
49, I'm sure don't know, nor she e;tber
we poor folks haven't the time TO be n.r'
thonlar, il we do but get beliyful So
long as don't go home with nothing in
will say a word" -''oooy
Set me down on the grass, then"
pied the Crayfsh, land dip your s,ck
me- this corner of the pond. Very GOOD
ma "a now no presto Fish into the sack s r
70 fall that il nearly slipped out Of ia
'wnsr's hands. '' 'D' Vi i's
You see you have not Obliged an I'm.
Irateioi person." the Crayfsh said IN t5e ,
,srs sTssS Woodman you may return
~ 1e 1ssty morning and AL your wallet
'sek + Aud that Is not all. You have ,
'sen kind to ne; will be kind 10 Won
J. oy'aodbye, you desire som sthing else,