The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1890-05-29
THE TANNERS APPRENTICE.

He is doing his best, that boy of six
teen, stretched out before bright fire in
the old tanning-shed. Reclining upon
an old sheep-shin, with book in hand, he
is acquiring knowledge as truly as any
student at his desk in some favored in
stitution, with all the conveniences and
facilities for learning. He is doing his
best, too, this same boy, Claude, as he
helps his master prepare the sheep and
lamb-skins for dyeing, so that they can
be made into leather. He is doing his
best by obedience and by respectful CON
duct to his master in endeavOring to do
his work well, although he often makes
mistakes, as his work is not so well
suited to his tastes as the study of Greek
and Latin.
''See there, young rapscalliOn!" calls
out Gaspard Beaurais, the tanner. ''See
how you're mixing up the wools!" For
Claude's wits were ''wOol-gathering,
sure enough; but he was not sorting the
wool Alright.
"Ay, ay, sir" replied the apprentice;
"but | will fix them all right" And he
set to work to repair his mistake.
Hell never make q tanner" said Gas
pard to his wife, ''and much l fear he'll
never be able to earn his Bread
''Sure enough" replied his wife, "and
yet he's good and obedient, and never
gives back word to all your scOlding."
And in after years, when the aged
couple received handsome presents from
this distinguished man, who had been
their apprentice, they thought of these
words.
One evening there came stormy,
boisterous wind, and the little stream in
which the tanner was wont to wash his
wool upon the skins was swollen to
torrent. To attempt TO cross it by ford
at such a time would render one liable to
be carried down the stream and to be
dashed to pieces on the rocks.
I'VE must get all the skins under
cover" said Gaspard to his apprentice;
"a storm is at hand"
The task was finished, and the tanner
was about return to his cot and Claude
to his shed, when the boy exclaimed:
Surely, heard a cry. Some one is try
ing to cross the fOrd.n
And in an instanth he darted toward the
river, followed by his master, carrying
the lantern. Some villagers were already
there; and strong rope was tied around
the waist of the brave boy, who was
| about to plunge into the stream, for a
man upon horseback was seen coming
much exhausted. Claude succeeded in
grasping the rein; and the strong hands
of the master that held the rope drew
him to the shore, and all were saved.
Soon after the stranger sat by the tan
ner's cheerful fire, having quite won the
hearts of the good man and his wife by
| his kind and courteous manners.
What can do for your brave bOy?'
he asked.
Hes none of ours, and not much
credit will he be to any one, we fear. He
wastes too much time over useless
books" was the bluff reply of the honest
tanner, who could not see what possible
use Claude's studies would be to him.
| May | see the books?' asked the
stranger.
Claude, being called, brought the books
of Greek and Latin classics, and stood
with dOwncast face, expecting to be re-
buked. But, instead, he received words
of commendatiOn from the gentleman,
who after some talk and questions, was
astonished at the knowledge the boy had
acquired.
A few months later, instead of the old
tanning-shed as a study, Claude might
be seen with his books in a handsome
mansion at Paris, the house of NJ. de Val
lis, whose life he had saved, and who had
become his friend and benefactor. The
boy felt that he had done his duty, and
that he was receiving much in return
and he determined to make every effort
to meet the expectations of his patron.
He succeeded. Claude Capperonier
the boy who did his best, became the
most distinguished Greek and LatiI
scholar of his time. At the age OF
twenty-five he filled the chair of Greel
professor in the Royal College of Paris
Mere than this, he became a man who
feared God, and was much beloved foi
his goodness and amiable qualities. IL,
never forgot his former master and wife
Their old age was cheered by many
tokens Of remembrance in the form o.
substantial gifts from the man who, wher
a boy, studied so diligently by the fire o.
their old shed, but who would nevei
make tanner. French Paper.