The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-12-11
sMiscel1amen11s.
THE WISHES.
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH.


stood before his dwelling examining the roof.
ing of thatch with an anxious air.
Zone already sees the moss has made q
new covering" he murmured, THE YER
dure has gained a new start, snd the loft will
become as damp as a cave. But those of the
town think that this is sufficiently good for q
peasant"
Whom do you term those of the town,
my good friend ?'' asked voice behind him.
The farmer turned his head quickly and
found himself in the presence of his landlord,
M. Favrol, who had just arrived in time to
hear his querulous reflection. He saluted
him with a slightly disconnected air.
81 did not know the proprietor was here" "
he said, without responding to the question.
"But you thought of him, did you not ?" re-
piled NJ. Favrol, smiling. 81 see that you
are always the same, my poor Antoine; al
ways seeing only the thorns OF the roses
and in life only its trials"
Lireux shook his head.
"Our master speaks at his ease," said lie
sourly, "for he has money enough to do what
he pleases."
because am pleased to undertake only
what have power to accomplish" observed
the proprietor. "To limit ones desires accord
ing to ones resources is rule of conduct
which you, perhaps, have forgotten to put
into your catechism."
ut would be of more value to me not 10
forget 10 put in my pocket a good contract
for rent" replied the peasant. at is not
needful to reproach poor people too much
for their desires because they have not the
means to carry them out. 1t seems to me
that one might very well, without too much
fatiguing the good God, ask for roof which
should shed the rain and never attrac ver-
min unlike this evil thatch."
"That is to say, you still retain that idea of
yours of having covering of tiles?"
$50 much SO that if | can get enough to
bear the expense myself will have one yet,
and see habitation much more healthy and
my grain will be well guarded.
"But think you, my friend, that you will
be more contented?"
Il ask nothing more of the Lord nor of our
land owner"
BOUNDS l can have true heart" said M.
Favrol. Although l regard the expense
as Improbable for you as idle for me, wish
to assure myself that this will be the means
of compl tie satisfaction to you. You shall
have the roofing of lies, Master Antoine, and
on the return of fair weather | will send the
workmen."
Lireux surprised at this unexpected con-
cession, thanked his landlord with effusion;
and when they had parted entered the house
to announce To his family the good news.
Part OF the day was employed hy him In
examining the consequences of this transfor-
nation of the roof. Besides the new aspect
which it gave to the farmhouse, there would
result, in the cutting the wood work of the
garrets, some serious consequences. But
Antoine perceived Immediately that one
might double the attic space by raising the
walls upon which the girders rested. This
discovery completely changed the course of
his ideas. He now only thought of this en-
largement, and what profit might be drawn
from it. Without this modification the new
roof would be a change deprived of any i'm
portance. One might as well have things as
they were in the past.
Behold, then, our peasant again in his
black humor, and deplorlng with bitterness
the want of money which continually hinder
ed him in the execution of bis plans. AS be
was obliged to betake himself to M. Favrols
house to pay his rent the latter remarking
his careworn appearance, asked the reason.
After some hesitation Lireux avowed his
new preoccupaiion.
"This is not a request, at least, which can
make to our MASTER" he continued. at is
sufficient that he has promised TO raise the
roof. He is not obliged to do it, and poor
people have no rights but " hat ale allowed
them"
"You may add hat they have these in
common with the rich," replied M. Favrol; ;
"but see it is difficult to cure you f your
discomfort. One desire gratified gives birth
to another: wish, however, to attempt
cure you shall have the attic walls raised"
Now the farmer declared that such
promise filled him with gratitude, and he re-
turned to Joncheres in the best of spirits.
Whom aOnno do flor ride coDfr.p
sent by M. Favrol came to examine the work
to be done, Antoine asked him, 10 the course
of the conversation, what could be done with
the old timber.
"Nothng at all, suspect" said the con-
tractor. This wood is for rural construc-
tions, and not capable of sustaining any
thing but thatcb. One can use it in q barn,
however.
Exactly; and ours g too small" said the
farmer.
Have you space for large oneP'-
"Just at the entrance to the stable. twill
take some of the garden space. l will go
with you and show YOU"
They went together to visit the spot,
which the contractor did not fail to find ad
mirably suited for new building. He point
ed out 10 Lireux all the advantages that
would result from having large shed by en-
larging the stables and digging pit for
muck. 1t would be the means of complet
ing the improvements begun, and would give
the farm a superiority visible over all of those
of the neighborhood, and utilize the old car
pentry work, which was to be replaced.
Without this complement of expenses the in
tended changes would not give results pro-
portionate to he cost, and M. Favrol would
act against his best interests.
Lireux's reply was that he feared to make
the request.
HE has already reproached me for not be-
ing satisfied" said he; land he would not
understand that what l said was for the
farm rather than for myself. Had the where
withall L would Immediately build without
begging of any one; but poor people are
obliged to rest satisfied with good ideas"
"You need not trouble yourself about
that said the contractor, who did not un-
derstand that there was any better use to put
money than to employ it in building; II will
speak to the gentleman, and without ques-
tion he will decide for it.
Left alone the farmer proceeded to rumin-
ate upon the ideas of the master mason,
which had been explained to him, and made
the necessary calculations and bow the con-
structions would be more profitable, Given
the outbuildings, it would be necessary to
substitute a winter granary for summer
one. The enlargement of The stables would