Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1891-02-14

| Oh tne good man:
THE number thirty -four has won tn
great prize of 100, 900 francs. The ole
gentleman gave such sudden cry tina
the startled barber, In turning towards
HIM, almost clipped a corner from th
ear of the schoolmaster, whom he wa
shaving.
"What's the matter, Father Landryli
he asked.
"Oh, nothing, nothing, answered tn,
farmer, who quickly recovered his calm
ness.
Rearranging bis spectacles, he reaC
again slowly, spelling each syllable t.
"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 o.
nuts and cheese. He placed himself al
the table, but he could not eat, for hi,
emotion seemed to clinch his throat anc
| prevent him from swallowing.
"What is the matter, master2' anx
iously asked Brigitee.
Nothing at ALL"
| "You are not ill?''
mo, tell you" he answered angrily.
During several days he secretly oh.
served the poor woman. Did she know
that she had won 100000 francs2 NJ
indeed Entirely gnorant 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 a
fever of unrest.
One day he dared to asked her, tremb-
ling while doing so:
as there any news, my good girl2"
Nothing, master, except that one Of
The hens has the pip"
Very good She knew nothing about
her good fortune. As for announcing it
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
(he 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 new capital.
The poor man had no more appetite
,or eating or drinking, or power to sleep;
he was dying of uneasiness. Twenty
lines he was on the point of speaking OF
he 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 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 bis mind !" she thought with
a thrill of fear.
1t seemed 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
yiS-a-vis.
"Oh, master, should never, never
dare to do that
''Sit down there, tell you, foolish
woman"
Bri9itte had heard that one must moi
oppose the wishes of maniacs.
So, without answering, she seated her.
self in great embarrassment on the edge
of the chair.
Come, eat aud drink, Brigitte, my
2'rl," he said, filing her plate gener-
ously.
However, this was not the last surprise
Tor Brigitte. When the coffee was
served the old gentleman suddenly said
''You sec, my good Brigitte, thi
means that | am going to get mar
ried!n
''Indeed, master, it is not yet too late
if you are old, you are still hale anG
we'll, 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 ne, master"
"Not at all, answered the old peas
ant lie explained that he was growing
old, was without children or family, and
did not wish to die alone like dog. Be
side he was grateful He could not tor
get that Brigitte had saved his life-his
faithful Brigitte. Oae must not be for
setful of such service.
Finally, the worthy woman, whose
head was turned by this stroke of good
fortune, believed in his sincerity. She,
humble servant, marry her master:
Think of it! 1t was, indeed, something
10 turn ones brain.
The bans were published, and the
marriage followed. The couple werC
greeted at the church by the good ma.
ured smiles of the whole village.
After the ceremony the new husband
hurriedly conducted his wife home.
Having crossed the threshold, he
hastily demanded in a joyful voice,
while energetically rubbing his hands;
"Brigitte, my girl, where have you
put your ticketl"
"What ticket?"
Your lottery ticket, No 341T
What lotteIy9'
"You know very we'll" he cried; i'm
patiently. 1.-THE one you bought with
my twenty-sou piece, that 1 gave youP
The bride began to laugh stupidity.
'Ahl the twenty sous, Listen, Mas
fer. One seldom wins in those lotteries.
1t was very cold last winter, very cold. "
"Well, well2" Intercepted Landry,
who began to grow very yellow.
"Oh, indeed" she concluded, 81 did
lot buy the ticket. With the money
bought me some good fur-lined slippers.
which I was sure would so me good.
Yes, indeed. From the Frene1, in
american Oultigator