The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1888-02-11

woman. stood in the door with a crying
babe in her arms. and poor. skinny
Nanny-goat was bleating disconsolate-
ly, tied to stake.
"What brought you to this degree of
povertyw 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
laborcr. II 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
drcn dicd-thcy were both sick long
time--and having to care for them,
was unable to work and so could earn
no money. We gave up the farm to
rich ncighbor. 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 (August) my wife
was sick again, and misfortune seems
determined to follow me all my life"
''Yours is sad story, my FRIEND"
said the officer, wiping tear from his
stern eye. "But why have you not pc
titioncd the King for aid?''
1.-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 Sunday"
mo, l have never heard of it. That
speaks of a good heart in His Majesty's
bosom. But I-should never dare to
ride to Blois to tell him my story"
Go with me; l will bear yon COM
pany. know the King well; he will
not turn away from YOU"
"But l don't know his Majesty, and
among so many courticrs might make
a mistake" urged the peasant still
hcsitating.
'Psliaw! 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,"
"Pll remember that" said poor
Jacques, humbly.
BY and by rs they rode on they saw
troop of mounted officers coming to-
ward them at gallop. Their plumes
and mantles and scarfs fluttered on the
breeze, and their rich caparisons and
accoutermcnts glittcred in the sun.
''Yonder fellows belong to the court;
perhaps the King is with Them" said
the mysterious rider. "Now is the
time to make your request, and don't
forget that he win be the only one who
is not barc-headcd."
The company came up. and ut sight
of tho 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-tanncd face turned
a CHASTITY hue, and he stared at his
companion with eyes that grew as big
as saucerp.
well. my friend. do you know the
King novfP" asked the little man, with
a queer Shile.
II faith, your honor" answered the
clown, with bcwildered air. ..cithcr
you or must be the King. for we are
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 Mt an end. Rosny."
4 one of the dismounted cour-
tiers, ''giye this man purse Of gold;
he desery Is it." Then addressing the
astonishe peasant once more he con-
tinued: NGo home and be happy, aud
may your fortune hereafter be equal to
your deserts, so that you may have
fowl in your pot every day in the week
and two for Sundays."-Fred M. Colby,
IN C0ngr4bationatiss.
~