The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-23
JEALOUS PIERRE.

The Vosges Is a country where mountain
life and an existence buried in the forests
has given the people a stamp and manners
peculiarly their own. Wood-choppers, char
coal-burners and others, thriving by wood
land industries, make up the population.
To fell tree is matter that few can
attempt. 1t is the perquisite of the favored
few. Most of the wo0dmeD, like Pierre
Roster, were but wood-choppers, allowed to
lop off branches
Pierre was surly, fitful man; at times in
dustrious, active, energetic; and then again,
moody, sullen, roaming off to the widest
parts of the mountain, not to work, but to
brood. What caused this no one knew, for
P crime. his wife, was the most beautiful
and best woman that entered The portal Of
the mountain chapel.
All acknowledged her merit, while they
wondered at her choice OF such husband.
Still she bore all his waywardness uncom-
plainingly, and when his moody idleneSS
pinched everything in the household, she
never complained.
Where was it to end? Just then ray of
relief came. A gentleman in feeble health
had come to the mountains by his physl-
clans order to try as a last resource the
pure air of their breezy heights. The cure
to whom he applied, aware OF Perlne'S en-
barrassment, directed him TO her cabin.
She cEeerfully undertook to give him such
accommodations as her roof could afford,
and even Pierre seemed relieved
But as the health of Blr. Saunler improved
n new cloud came over the brow of Pierre.
His solitary wife found pleasure and for
getfulness in the conversation of her guest
during the long absences of her husband.
Pierre became Jealous; he now remained
at home, not working, but sulkily l0unglng.
His wife'S irreproachabie life gave no
ground for suspicion, and the fact that he
could detect not IA shadow on which to base
an accusation seemed 10 make him emily more
fierce and brutal.
One day they needed fuel; the large pile
always near the door having gradually
dwindled down, the consumed portion was
not now replenished by Pierre. She aske d
him to go and cut some. 1t was MI
Saunier's last day, and with the morrow his
departure would deprive them Of what had
long been their sole support.
This thought, toe. seemed to cross his
mind, aud with an oath lie declared that he
would bring her the branches of the Ec0re
pine, well known tree that for generations
had stood upon the brink of a fearful preci-
pice untouched by woOdman'S hand.
Don't talk so, Pierre" she cried; ''you
can get wood without tempting Provi-
dence;" and she went on busily with the
washing at which she was engaged.
Pierre strobe off with his ak in hand, and
CllllUGu luC SlGD-Iih6 w uitG lOCho VII
which the old tree stood. He ekmbed, and
began to lop OFF. Branch after branch fell,
some where he might get them, others far
below in the deep ravine, that no one had
ever ventured to descend.
As lie got up a sort of fury seized him and
he resolved to cut off the topmost branch;
but when not half dozen remained a shud-
der ran through his frame as he heard
cracking sound far below that he knew too
well. The old tree was swapping off below :;
the incessant blows of his axe had given it
the impulse With prayer that hardly
reached his lips he flung his ak to the winds
and cIasped the tree with the agony of de-
spair.
With crash the giant of the forest swung,
not where other trees might have broken its
fall and given him a chance for life, but
headlong down the abyss. One fearful cry
and all was still The cry brought another
wood-cutter in sight of the broken stump,
and he FASTENED to Perine to announce the
fate Of her unhappy husband.
1t was a work of hours to reach the spot
where he fell. Rough but kindly hands
raised the corpse, and when placed in its
rude coffin the woodmen gathered to bear it
down on the curious railroad OF the noun
tain to the chapel door, where the last ser
vices were TO he performed over the victim
of his own Jealousy and the EcOre pine
Boston Globe.