Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-12-26

! iireux's reply was that he feared to
make the request.
He has already reproached me for l,'i
being satisfied, " said he; "and he woriIG
not understand that what l said was for
the farm rather than for myself Had !
the wherewithal l would immediatel.
build without begging of any one; bu'
poor people are obliged to rest satisfied
with good ideas.
You need not trouble yourself about
that, said the contractor, who did not
understand that there was any better use
to put money to than to employ it in
building; II will speak to the gentle
man, and without question he will decide
for it. "
Left alone the farmer proceeded to ru
inmate upon the ideas of the master ma
son, which had been explained to him
and made the necessary calculations, and
how the constructions would be more
profitable. Given the outbuidings, il
would be necessary to substitute a winte,
graIary for summer one. The enlarge
ment of the stables would permit of his
increasing the number of animals ht
could stall, and the muck pit would util
ize the waste of the beasts. EVIDENT,
these works, of which he had not though.
at first, were indispensable additions. u
he could not carry them out now ther.
would follow disappointment mos
pitiable. But NJ. Favrol could not, with
out hardness and injustice, refuse them
to him.
Nevertheless, several days passed and
lie had no word from the contractor
His impatience became agonizing. He
went to the house of the master mason,
who lived in the village at some distance,
| but did not meet him. He returned still
more anxious. According to appear
ances, NJ. Favrol had refused. He would
not increase the expenses by adding the
outbuildngs.
Lireux was in the midst of his vexa
| ton at these reflections when he heard
himself called by name. 1t was the con
tractor, whom he perceived on a high
scaffolding where he was directing some
of his workmen.
well, the affair is settled Father An
tome, he said.
"What AFFAIR."" queried the farmer
who did not dare to guess.
"Parbleu! that of your house and
barn"
Our master consents.
"We shall begin work next month"
"Come down and tell me all about it
while we drink glass together" cried
Antoine joyously. Let ME know how
it was all arranged.
The master mason left the scatfold and
Joined Lireux in the hostelry He told
Antoine that the proprietor had merely
laughed, without making any objection,
and had requested the contractor to give
a detail of all the alterations to be ef-
fected.
Antoine res lmed his homeward routa
completely reassured. On his arrival
there he proceeded to the place destined
to receive the new erections, and distrib
uted in advance the space for the great
est service. The former entrance became
quite impossible in the new plan, so it
was required to lay out path across
the garden. There was hedge to cut
through and a ditch to fill. He de-
cided to do this himself, and without
speaking to NJ. Favrol. But this took
away from cultivation another piece
of the garden, already reduced in
extent by the construction of the exten.
sons. This was loss for which the
to indemnify him. Unoccupied land
could certainly be found on the other side
Of the road, and Father Lireux judged
that he would be able to make clear his
title for compensation. He now decided
to call on NJ. Favrol under pretext of
wanting to know the date when the re-
pairs would commence.
well, Friend Lireux," said the pro-
prietor, on perceiving him, Il hope you
are satisfied"
Poor men have the right to complain
when they lack bread" responded An
toine, with reserve.
THAT is precept of resignation truly
Christian, replied Favrol; "but it seems
to me that you must have some other
things to ask for. Have not accorded
you all you requested?"
Il am very much obliged, said the
farmer, somewhat coldly; "but our mas
Ter KNOWS LHdl d IOlleT lives Dy tne ldnu,
and to take away some burrows is like
taking from him piece of bread"
And who pretends to take any from
your" demanded NJ. Favrol.
Excuse me-" said Antoine, little
embarrassed. 1T is the granary of our
master, and the roadway to reach it takes
part of the garden. l do not know that
am complaining, but if our master
would permit me to use a little bit of the
ground opposite the farm it would be a
compensation.
NJ. Favrol regarded the farmer with an
inscrutabe eye.
"Ah. very well, laid he But it seems
to me the little bit of ground is about an
acre"
Il could not say as to that, returned
Lireux. Il have never measured it; but
it is something for poor people like us, but
nothing to our masters.
"One moment, " said the landlord. 1t
is necessary to reckon up, my friend.
You see the extent to which your sue.
cessive desires have reached. II comes
to 2,42O francs. Add the acre of land,
and there will be 8, 800 francs to exppud
to satisfy your desires for less than one
month. At this rate it will be necessary,
to content poor man like you, Master
Antoine, 10000 livreS of rent which is
TO say more than l possess. And still
You are not happy; for after the promise
to put tiles on your barn you began to