The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1888-01-05
can pray as well without knowing, and
God will understand whom Won mean. -

Y,
God will understand whom you mcan.'
But though the horseman smiled. his
face was very grave and thoughtful as
he noticed the mean and miserable
abode of the poor woodchopper. 1t was
small, tumble-down hut of mud and
thatch, and was hardly habitable. The
woodcutter wife, pale, sickly looking,
woman, stood in the door with CRYING
babe IN her arms, and poor. skinny
Nanny-goat was bleating disconsolate-
ly, tied to stake.
what brought you. to this degree of
poverty?' asked the sympathetic officer,
as they rode on together. ''You appear
to be strong and willing to labor
Misfortune, your honor, has brought
me into this Decline" answered the
laborer. Il have always been unfor-
tunate. This little farm belonged to
my wife; her parents. who were both
old. died on the same day, after long
and tedious illness. Then my two chill
dren died-they were both sick a long
time--and having to care for them, |
was unable to work and so could earn
no money. We gave up the farm to a
rich neighbor, who promised to let us
have it back again for the same sum
when we were able to do it. But the
crops have been poor two seasons fol-
lowing. and my wife was sick all last
year, so that we had to borrow more
money. He now hires me, and allows
me so much for every days work.
Last Lammas-tide (AugusD my wife
was sick again, and misfortune seems
determined to follow me all my life"
''Yours is a sad story, my friend"
said the officer, wiping tear from his
stern eye. but why have you not pc
titioned the King for aid?''
"The King! what does he care for
poor peasant like me?" = =
HE cares great deal. Have YOU
never heard that his greatest desire is
to have his peasantry happy? have
heard him say that he hoped to reign
SO that every poor man might have a
fowl in his pot on Sundays
mo, have never heard of it. That
speaks of a good heart in His Maiesty's
bosom. But l should never dare to
ride to Blois to tell him my story
go with me; I will bear you COM
pany. know the King well; he will
not turn away from you"
'But don't know his Majesty, anu
among so many courtiers | might make
a mistake" urged the peasant, still
hesitating.
"Pshaw! You will have no trouble on
that score. You will know the King
because he will have his hat on; all the
others will have theirs off.
''rll remember that" said poor
Jacques, humbly.
By and by as they rode on they saw
a troop of mounted officers coming to-
ward them at a gallop. Their plumes
and mantles and scarfs 1uttered on the
breeze, and their rich caparisons and
accouterments glittered in the sun.
"Yonder fellows belong to the court;
perhaps the King is with thcm," said
the mysterious rider. "Now is the
time to make your request, and don't
forget that he will be the only one who
is not bare-headed.
The company came up, and at sight
of the little man with the grizzled
beard and pointed mustache, dressed
in the black velvet suit, every one OF
the brilliantly dressed horsemen sprang
to the ground and pulled their hats off.
The peasants wind-tanned face turned
ghastly hue, and he stared at his
companion with eyes that grew as big
as saucers. S~s -
"Well, my friend. do you know the
King now?" asked the little man, with
queer smile.
| 81 faith, your honor" answered the
clown, with bewildered air, 'eithel
you or must be the King, for we arc
the only ones who have our hats on. '
True" laughed Henry the Fourth,
"either you or l must be the King, and
your troubles are at an end. Rosny.'
turning to one of the dismounted cour
tiers, ''give this man a purse of gold
he deserves it, Then addressing the
astonished peasant once more he con
tinued '.Go home and be happy, ant
may your fortune hereafter be equal Il
your deserts, so that you may have i;
fowl in your pot every day in the weel
and two for Sundays. Fred NJ. Colby
in Congregationalist.