Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1891-02-27

By this time the miracle was ac-
complished-the slanting rock was
covered with the greenery OF vines
and large luscious grapes caught the
earliest and the latest rays OF the
sun.
so" cried he gayly, mot a trace
OF the blight that afilicts our friends
in the valley. Up here at least we
have Gods air pure. His blessing.
too. will be with thee, my children.
who OF your small substance took in
a homeless wretch in his old age.
Why, good uncle, we took in our
good fortune with thee, should Math-
leu heartily.
"Ay, ay; my wits are worth some
thing. | know" nodded Pierre, slyly.
But now, good Matthew, make thee
confessor. | am no uncle OF thine.
In truth, have no kin. In my youth
| met your grandfather aud perhaps
saved him from cruel death. Tie
made me promise to call upon him in
case OF need. He is dead. The ser
vice | rendered lies buried in his
grave. Blood is thicker than water
said | TO myself I'll call on his
grandchildren. I'll be their uncle.
"Oho, ohor laughed Matthew, and
you think. then, that Marie and do
not know that we have no great-un-
cleg Has not Mark the record writ
ten clear as print But it's nil one To
us-and better, too; for none Of our
blood ever boaSted any brains
Here the children laughed. Marie
kissed the old man afIectionately.
The good uncle has brought us
luck, and
Panel said Pierre proudly.
Matthew, grapes like these were
never yet seen in this canton, and
that can tell You
So said the honorable judges ap-
pointed TO visit the vineyard and re-
port upon the condition OF the grapes.
They came up from the valley in
grand procession, two and two.
What vineyard on the old rock"
cried Matthews brother, who had
been invited TO be present.
Pierre stood at the vineyard gate.
His wrinkled old face had its rosy hue
still. his keen ewes twinkled aud with
a lordly air he bowed To the judges,
and threw back the gate.
"Euter, - said he, waving his hand
in welcome. Then he staggered up
and down. showing the finest
punches.
Here" said hearty Matthew, 'eiz-
ing the old man and turning him TO
the judges, "behold the brains of the
VINEYARD.
And here" cried Pierre, are the
faithful workers" He darted 10 the
bushes, behind which Marie stood
blushing and the children were
gathered, curiously peepiDg between
the vine leaves at the strangers
1t was "A goodly sight. How Math
leu talked and laughed and the
brothers gloomed behind the ranks Of
the judges!
Ale will be the rich man Of the
family, the rattlepate, after oil, " cried
Mark. with n vicious look at the
CHEEKY old man of busy brain who
headed the procession round the vine
yard.
They had to hear that Mathieu was
adjudged the prize for a well kept
vineyard, that his grapes eIcelled
any yet grown in the canton, and
that he must wear the crown at the
fete next week.
Not /, shouted Mathieu "Ifany
OF us be crowned ii must be uncle
here.
The judges laughed. But Matthew
had his way, and the happy old man,
with Matthews youngest child on his
knee, was carried in the procession
through the village which few years
before he had entered friendless and
homeless
His eyes were uplifted to the snowy
peaks. His thought sped back to the
day Of his youth, such dream now,
SO long ago Was it indeed his own
foot that had scaled the precipicesy
Uncle, uncler' cried Matthew at
his side, the people are shouting in
thy honor Bow to them; they ex-
Dpct SO much Of thee.