The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-01-05
PEASANT AND KING.
How the Latter Was Made Known
to the Former.

One day in the far-away years of the
sixteenth century, when Paris was not
As third as large nor half as beautiful
As It is now, and the French court lived
almost half the year at the great hunt
ng chateau of Blois, poor peasant
was cutting fagots on the border of a
| small forest near the river Loire. lie
was dressed in a ragged hempen tunic
and had wooden shoes on his feet. His
cap was of fur, which he wore alike in
sumn.er and in winter. He was cutting
The wood with small hatchet, laying
,ne sticks in a pile. When he had made
1 q pile as large as he could carry in his
arms, he bound it with green withes
and laid it on the back of his donkey.
which looked quite as forlorn and ill
kept as its master.
Ashe was binding one of the bundles
d fagots upon the animals back, he
was startled by the sound of hoof
strokes near him, and, gazing sharply
around, he saw q man approaching
mounted on large white horse. The
horseman was u small, thin person,
we'll advanced in years, whose profile.
once seen, could not be forgotten; a
hooked nose, protruding chin, brow
full of wrinkles. grizzled hair. short
pizzled beard, and stiff gray mustache,
bristling like IA cats. His alert, up
right carriage bespoke mistaken vigor,
and his clear eye was full of buoyant
Gfe He was dressed in slashed doub-
let and trunk-hose of black velvet;
scarlet sash was over his shoulder, q
hat with a long sweeping white plume
on bis head, and he wore tall cavalry
boots that came up to his knees.
Some officer of the Kings guard who
has lost his way" thought the peasant.
as he resumed his labor. Perhaps |
can do him benefit. A good turn will
help him, and it won't make my trouble
more
Meanwhile the stranger was glancing
doubtfully around, and seeing the wood
cutter, accosted him with a frank.
hearty voice, that yet had something of
atone of command.
"Halloa. my friend, can st tell me
now far it is to the castle, and whether
hls road will lead me thither?''
NAY; your honor has certainly gone
wrong. Blois lies in the opposite direc-
aon, at distance, should say, of half
adozen leagues
Twas pretty certain / had lost my
way but | did not suppose l had wan
aefea 50 far in the wrong direction" "
ald the officer. $50 it is near twenty
miles to the chateau?''
Yes, all Of that by the highway, "
'aSwered the peasant. "You must fol-
0w this path till you come to tall
! AK and then take your right till you
Dme to wood where the road forks,
No you follow the left round big
ark
! saau certainly lose my way again
= .ry to follow your directions. And
@ norseman shrugged his shoulders
aa looked rather grave. "Can you
. a guide me to Bloisp''
= Nay, can not leave nv work.
:. @s3ered the peasant, lifting his greasy
y and scratching his head obviously
would eheerfully help your honor
y my master would not pay me for q
Z Z y aIswork when l leave my tasks and
d &oers.''
% thou knowest me then as belong
y y 70 the court? Well, my good fel
y s''n you will help me you shall no
Y sW II What do you earn a day?'
= sometimes half franc, and othel
~ v, twice that You see it depend.
: y tas Weather.
= j., "sil' here's ten-franc piece; so &,
= y. ~ me You need not lose your morn
ao ss,sNofk' u, torif I mistake not, yondc
ns IN !oars. and our path lies past it. ;
4 as poor man demurred no further
~ sold piece the officer had given hin
~ more money than he could hav,
q i'll. s.a any other way in whole fort
is asat
~ J.. ~ your honor" said he, wiping
A0m mis- eye, "you do not know
- ls.a,sae aaen good this money win do me
o. 4u IKE to know the name of S
10 0as gentleman, so that | an
81 s,,. ae might bless you in on
W IL - -, naster about my name, replie'
'im 3saeer. with kind smile, "Yo