Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1889-04-18


II am going to sell the provision Of
lard that / have here" said the blind
man. showing bis torba, the pocket Of
which was stuffed 70 bursting and tied
with twine.
The little girl carried also some
pieces Of lard 10 basket.
How much do you want for your
lard p said the young man.
"A xwaszig r replied the old man
u ! voies which tremblsd with emo
lio,. ssls.s
st is large sum. Show me the
lard"
The blind man united 1t,
"You will never sell it for that in
the market" said the young man, as
be weighed the basket the little girl
had carried.
"Ah, you think sol fsltsred the
blind man, trembling with sudden
fear. "But have twenty pounds of
lard; it is not dear"
Certainly not, if the lard were
good; but yours hsssbeen picked up
here and there. Still, ifyou were not
in too great hurry for your mon
ey-"
II wanted to buy cloak"
SIN that case you can wait two
months longer; by that time the plums
will have been distilled. the slirovitzo
will be sold, and I can pay you."
"You will give me zwanzigl" cried,
the old man. his face illuminated sud.
denly by radiant joy.
"Yes, ! will give You zwanzig."
''Then take my lard"
The peasant returned in his house
delighted with his bargain; the blind
minstrel, still more delighted, return
ed to his village.
November came, and with Novem-
Der the first cold. The minstrel rad
himself led to the house of his debtor,
and demanded the zwanzig.
"Ah, what pity r. exclaimed the
| young man. "The year is bad one
for plums; they are all spoiled, and
the slivovitza 10 90 bad that we are
compelled to drink it ourselves. Have
patience until the next winter, and
then / will pay you"
81 shall be very cold, but will be
patient" replied the bland man, and
he returned home. All through the
winter he shivered with cold in his
miserable rags.
November and the snow returned
once more. The minstrel again went
to his debtor and claimed the money.
81 had a little grain" said the
young man, "but the Save has over.
flowed its banks, and my grain is lost
entreat you to wait until next year;
this time I will assursdly pay my
debt"
| My blood is no longer quick enough
to warm me- replied the blind man
but since the Save has destroyed your
fields, / will suffer and wait
All, how bitterly he repented the
not having carried his lard to market
Bot the zwanzig still seemed to hin
such an immense sum that be was pa
tient, and waited almost without muir
muring.
Before the end of the winter his old
cloak was like a torn spiders web.
/ Once more the autumn winds haG
swept-a away the very last of the with
cred leaves. once more the boar fros
whitened the fields.
The old minstrel shivered and trem
bled with cold.
He had himself led to the house o
his debtor, but the young peasant me
him at the door, saying Il have los
my wife, and I am ruined. vii
come and bring your money as sool
as / can
The blind man returned home, bu
with the firm resolution to submit +
no more delays.
The winter passed, the summer also
autumn returned once more. Tn
old man had heard nothing from hi
debtor, when 10 one day he hear
that he wac just about to marry ric
peasant girl who had dot of man.
zwanzigs.
= The minstrel had himself immedi
ately led to the young mans house.
Pay me, he said. i know tina
you now have money.
!, Leave me in peace, answered To
J. peasant.
L have suffered the cold Of tire
: winters; I have waited three years
exclaimed the minstrel. i will wal
no longer.
Old foolr replied the young pea
anf siamminr the door in his face