The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-04-25
BRIGITTE'S FORTUNE.


close-fsted old peasants OF whom IL Is
graphically said that they can shave
something from an egg shell.
Since the death OF his wife he had
retired from agriculture and lived alone
80 little house at the end OF the viii
lage.
And yet. not entirely alone. TO- he
had with him his old servant Brigitte
But the poor woman counted for so lit
tic in the household. little above the
dog. but not 80 much as the donkey
that cost a hundred and twenty francs
She entered his family at the age OF
twelve 20 guard tho COWS. and had been
there ever since. She knew no other
family life than this one, and the ex-
ceeding parsimony OF the master seemed
10 her entirely natural. She was now
4 tall. hale woman OF fifty, red-faced
suunre-shOuldered. with feet and hands
that might have been tho pride OF
pu2ilistic trainer. While exacting very
little In the way Of compensation, she
dsudged like pack horse; for indeed.
sno could not do otherwise In Farmer
Landry's house. Besides In her sim
plo mind existed canine attachment
and real admiration for her master
who was not ashamed 10 take advant-
age of her good nature.
OF course in the service OF this miser
Brigitte had not earned fortune But
the honest creature was amply satisfied
when the old peasant in patronizing
tone praised her zeal: What good
simple creature you are, Brigitte, are
you notp
Then the good woman's mouth would
open into a loud laugh.
He! he, hel masterl You have
~. ~ little mannor OF joking; he,
he!he.'
~gy whilo Farmer LANDRY was
himself replastering his garden wall.
80 as not 10 pay the mason, he made a
false step and fell into tho pool just
over the point whore the deepest holc
was. He splashed wildly about for n
few moments, calling vainly for help
with all the power OF his lungs. At
last worn out by his efforts. no was
about 10 sink from sight, when Brigittc
nj last heard him. The devoted Great
ure courageously jumped into the
water at the risk OF drowning herself.
She succeeded In pulling him 20 the
bank he was entirely unconscious. but
she raised him In her strong arms, as
she would child put him 10 bed and
with rubbing and remedies recalled
him % life. On seeing him open his
eyes, the good Brigitte shed tears OF
JOY.
"Ah. good master, how glad ! am
that you are not drowned and buried
in that hole"
The old peasant was glad OF IT, too
although he had one lively regret tho
loss OF his trowel which fell into the
water at tho same time with himself
However, he had the decency not 20
express the wish that Brigitte should
return and jump in after that also
Indeed. 10 the first impulse OF graf
itude. he said 20 his servant with a
touch OF emotion:
ut Is you who pulled me out OF the
hole; ! shall never forget IT, my good
girl. you may be assured Of that.
am going 20 make you present.
''Oh. master. indeed there Is no need
OF that"
But tell you wW give you some
thing; don't doubt it,
And really. the Same evening. after
n thousand hesitntions, he drew forth
his long leather purse and called
Brigi,te 10 him. While making n
grimacc like one having tooth drawn
he selected "A silver piece OF twenty
cents.
Here. Brigitte. Is your present II
shall not be counted i'm your wages
you know. Oh no. this Is extra out
side OF your wages. DO not be ex-
travRcant with it; that would be SIN
For the service rendered 10 was not
unbridled generosity on the part OF the
givcr and the former had some dim
intimation Of the fact, for he added (as
II 10 enhance its valuc);
1T is just the price OF lottery
ticket Buy one my girl. and you
may win twenty thousand dollars"
II was the first time In his life that
the poor man allowed himself 10 be so
liberal. 40 tho thought Of II haunted
him for long time; he constantly
wondered about the fate OF his bright
silver piece. lie often asked the
servant II she had yet bought her
lottery ticket
Not yet. Master" was her unvary-
Ing answer.
But az length she decided 10 end this
constant questioning by pacifying him.
So one day she replied.