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

sack OF corn 10 lne wagon anu Iul-
bled him in.
Every one laughed. Pierre louder
than all.
This is what / like" said he Il
am cheerful by nature Then 10
show that he wa. not too old to be
entertaining he told fine stories and
laughed merrily all the way along.
But as the rude wagon jolted up
the mountain side to the tiny chalet
where Matthew made his poor living,
the old man became silent, casting
his keen eyes back and forth with
comprehensive glances. Aha! Pierre
had his wits about him, wits enough
to stock Matthew, his wife and six
children, and leave plenty over for
elder brothers.
so you are very poor, Matthew, y
said he as he took his survey from the
chalet door.
Matthews rosy face cIouded as he
looked within and nodded. Every
thing was clean, for his wife was
thrifty, but poverty was written on
every hand, even in the faces OF his
six children, who needed more plenti-
ful and more nourishing food.
"NIathieu, called the wife, come
thou and make the uncle bed. At
least we have sweet hay up here
The old mans keen glances from
the chalet door lighted into sudden
flames a. his eyes rested on the bare
rock forming part Of Matthews pos
sessions. Then he chuckled as if
some happy idea had occurred to
him. Matthews wife, Marie. laughed
too.
He will be cheerful company
said she to her husband.
Next morning they all al ose at day
break, for Matthew worked in IA
neighbor's vineyard in the valley be
low
80, Mathieu' That rock belongs
to you?''
That shelving rocky slope, uncle?
Yes, it fell to my lot. Well, one
must not speak iii Of ones own blood,
but the others took care Of them
selves; this was good enough for rat
tle-pated Matthew"
lie laughed, but rubbed his head
ruefully. Good enough cried the
old man in an excited tone, good
enough"
As Matthew strods away To his
work the remembrance of that good
enough" rung in his ears. He
thought that perhaps the old man
had lost his mind Meantime the
keen sighted old fellow was sitting in
the doorway chuckling with amuse-
ment that his grandnephew should
be going away TO work as a hired
man in his neighbours vineyard.
Marie" he cried Marie, come
here. | love thee, child, thee and
thine. Yet / tell thee, this kind
Matthew of ours lacks wits
wits" shouted indignant Marie.
"Ay. wits" shrieked back the eX-
cited old man. Now, child, he went
on, more quietly. Listen; be guided
by Inc. You and |, and our six
children here, we will make for
tune for Matthew, right under his
nose
Here the old man pointed to Math-
ieu's field, a mere slanting rocky
ledge, over which the goat climbed to
browse on the sweet grass that sprung
here and there from interstices, and
which now lay basking in the sun.
There is our vineyard, my good
Marie
Make vineyard there, uncle!
But where is the earth?'
The old man laughed. He pointed
to the gorge, through which the
mountain torrent rushed to the lake.
All cried Marie, afre with the
idea, Il see, see. | and the six
children
And the old uncle he put in.
we shall make Matthew a vine
yard.
The children. brought up to carry
the hottie basket on their backs and
weights on their heads, began 10 yell
with delight at their part OF the
work. Away they raced TO the gorge,
followed by the uncle and the vigorous
Marie.
When Matthew returned that even
ing he started and rubbed his eyes.
Several yards Of the rock were cover
ed with earth. and the old man was
building a wall at the bottom Of the
field.
What does this mean cried he.
broad grin widening his rosy cheeks.
1T means, cried Pierre, that my
wits shall 80 direct thy strong body
that ere die shall set thee at work
in thine own vineyard.
The idea once suggested approved
itself to Matthew as an experienced
worker i'm a vineyard. But,
thought he. a he rubbed his eyes and
looked about him, why did never
think of this for myself
He barely waited to swallow his
soup, so eager vas he to plant foot
on his own vineyard.
Keep your own counsel. said the
old man. "Go forth a. usual 10 thy
work and leave US here 10 carry up
the earth. Every hour will add TO
the pile BY autumn .you shall plant
the vines.
All, how carefully all worked, nor
on moonlight nights did Matthew go