The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-03-04

hohIanglnS lis specIacleS, ne READ
again slowly, spelling each syllable to
''make assurance doubly sure"
There was no mistake; the number "a,
Brigitte's ticket, had won. He dropped
the journal and started off in great agi-
tation towards his house. Brigitte had
prepared her masters frugal breakfast of
nuts and cheese. He placed himself at
the table, but he could not cat, for his
emotion seemed to clinch his throat and
prevent him from swallowing.
"What is the matter, masterl" anx-
iously asked Brigitee.
"Ncthing at ALL"
"You are not ill9"
"No, tell you," he answered angrily.
During several days he secretly OBJ
served the poor woman. Did she know
that she had won 100, 200 francsV No
indeed Entirely ignorant that she was
the object of such close scrutiny, she per-
formed her daily tasks with her usual
good humor, while her master was In q
fever of unrest.
One day he dared to asked her, tremb-
ling while doing so:
''is there any news, my good girl2"
"Nothing, master, except that one of
the hens has the pip"
Very good! She knew nothing abou:
her good fortune. As for announcing 1t
to her--that was entirely too much for
his nature and long life habit. 1t seemed
to him monstrous that another should
profit by this marvellous windfall of a
hundred thousand francs, produced by
his piece of twenty sous-his own bright,
silver bit Time was heightened from
days to weeks. A notice in the journal
Che really bought copy of the one con-
tanning the announcement) formally
stated that after delay of three months
the unclaimed prizes would be employed
for a new capital.
The poor man had no more appetite
for eating or drinking, or power to sleep;
he was dying of uneasiness. Twenty
times he was on the point of speaking of
the ticket to Brigitte; and twenty times
he bit the tip of his tongue. One word
only might put his servant in the way to
learn her good fortune.
One morning, after an unusually Sleep
less night passed in turning aud return
ing in his bed, he arose with a smile on
his thin lips. He had found the key to
the problem. He commenced by order
ing Brigitte to kill the plumpest chicken,
and to cook it in the oven with good
piece of pork. And finally, he gave his
servant money to buy coffee and sugar.
Brigitte asked herself if her master had
gone made
"Surely some demon has taken pos
session of his mind !" she thought with
thrill of fear.
1t seemed a fearful increase of the
malady when the old gentleman, after
having ordered her to lay the table for
two, asked her to take her place as his
vis-a-vis.
Ts,"Oh, master, should never, never
dare to do thatl"
"Sit down there, tell you, foolish
womanp
Brigitte had heard that one must not
oppose the wishes of maniacs.
So, without answering, she seated her
self in great embarrassment on the edge
of the chair.
"Come, eat and drink, Brigitte, my
glrl," he said, filling her plate gener- /
ously.
However, this was not the last surprise
for Brigitte. When the coffee was
served the old gentleman suddenly said
"You see, my good Brigitte, this
means that am going to get mar
riedln
"Indeed, master, it is not yet too late;
if you are old, you are still hale and
well" answered the simple servant, ap-
provingly.
"Since that is your view, if you like,
we will marry each other"
After the roast chicken and pork, and
the coffee and sugar, Brigitte expected to
hear almost any strange thing on the
part of her master. But that Oh, not
that
"You are joking me, mastern
"Not at all" answered the old peas
ant. He explained that he was growing
old, was without children or family, and
did not wish tn die alone like dog. Be
side he was grateful He could not tor
get that Brigitte had saved his life-his
faithful Brigitte. One must not be for
getful of such a service.
Finally, the worthy woman, whose
head was turned by this stroke of good
fortune, believed in his sincerity. She, a
humble servant, marry her masterl
Think of it 1t was, indeed, something
to turn ones brain.
The bans were published, and the
marriaue followed The cOunle were
greeted at the church by the good ma
tured smiles of the whole village.
After the ceremony the new husband
hurricdly conducted his wife home.