Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-03-18
THE OLD PINE TREE.

.
south. nearly every dwelling (thcy all in
variably face the rising sum has in its
mel shborhOod guardian tree-grOwing, a
venerated object, near the entrance AS it
extends its heavy branches over the roof it
seems like some great protecting being
guarding the entire household from I'M
lucky influences and from evil working
spirits. which, according to the rustic inn
aginaton, swarm mysteriously in the air.
In front of one of these white dwellings,
inhabited by single husbandman named
Luke laborle, hourished an immense pine
tree, which, shooting straight up to a
height of nearly 200 feet from the ground,
spread ma cStically beneath the clouds the
enormous pardsol shaped covering of its
branches like some hydrangea of gigantic
growth.
The pine tree gave it, name to the dwell
ing of the Labordes md it took for its
sign 1.-The Parasol." 1t is seen from all
points of the surrounding district, and the
larger birds which migrate in the autumn
sometimes dcign to rest upon it, for they
know they are in safety on this lordly tree
whose branches tower aloft so far from
men.
And the pine tree brought prosperity to
the dwelling Luke Labortle the Young
owner still unmarried, is almost rich: his
fields prosper, his granaries are heavy
with the harvests, his cattle docile and
well fed. And never into his dwelling did
any contagious disease find its way thanks
to the patriarchal watchfulneSs of the pine
tree, whose purifying branches watt inces-
sanity their vague but abundant perfumes
through the air.
Thou hast Il famous tree thcrer' said
Cazade the carpenter, to him one day-he
lnl in, La. H.. L.,
dwelling-"Ill give thee hundred francs
for it,"
This man did not belong to that part of
the country. He spoke the French Ian
guage. Coming from II distant town he
knew not the respect that is due to the
guardian tree of the dwelling. Luke for
gave him.
at is insutferabler' said the same car
penter, coming to him year later. That
pine tree of thine casts a shadow over nv
orchard; every apple tree | plant there
dies. Besides, the roots of this foolish tree
overturn my fence wall. | warn thee, my
lad, that if thou wilt not sell it to me,
shall set the fire at it,
Luke tucked up his sleeves, spat vigor-
ously into his hands, after the Gascon
fashion, and made ready with all his
might to drive this sacrlegious neighbor
He was about to punish him severely
when a voice, full of distress-and yet it
sounded like sweet music to his ears-sud-
denly cried:
"Ilelpl Murder! lIeis killing my father!'
The possessor of this lutelike voice was
young girl, who appeared flushed and
angry. The peasant paused, disarmed by
these Outcries from Mile. Louise Cazade.
little cries which had in them a sugges-
ton of the color Of roses, and which, to his
ears, accustomed as they were to the low.
ing of oxen, brought strange sensation
of honeyed words.
spring evening. The pine tree offers
to the breeze the young shoots of it's
hranches-shoots so tender and small that
they seem like tiny green fingers trying to
catch the sunbeams on the wing And the
breeze doubtless has great delight in the
soft touch of these tiny fingers; for in the
pine tree top it huns a joyous tune with
gentle, purring sound
Now beneath the pine tree female form
appears, furtively gathering at shutdown
few dry twigs with which to light a lire. 1
no doubt. Luke, like a good landlord.
went to investigate. The maiden blushed
ana trembled when she saw him approach. 1
II ask your forgiveness" she STAN.
mered out. 1T was for-I will put them
back again"
1t was Louise, the carpenters daughter.
She doubtless thought that no one saw
her. and SO she had taken the liberty-at
her home the fire would never burn
Here they are, monsieur" she added,
still blushing. and offering the contents OF
her apron.
Luke felt something strange stirring in
his bosom, for the maiden's eyes shone like
two orient stars.
"Oh, keep them" he generously said. !
"And if you want any more-herel berer, /
Then he also bending down, laboriously
gathered up a quantity of twigs, and.
painting like IA deer, advanced to deposit
them in the apron of his fair neighbor
Here! Mademoiselle here!'
But he suddenly started A finger-a
finger of hers-had touched him (unawares
OF course) on the palm of his hand And
thereupon while the crafty pine tree, who
had contrived this meeting, hummed in !
the darkness vague, hooking air, Luke
fled without word, as if he had been
touched by red hot iron.
Naturally, few days afterward the
roguish tree saw them meet again beneath
him, less shy and more congenial this time
che evening, indeed, when the dying sun
was causing the summit of the pine tree
TO blush as if under the kiss of the star of
day, Luke, who was on the whole a good
hearted fellow, ventured to say to Mile.
Louise, who was after all very pretty:
81 love you, mademoisellep
And that in the French language, with
an atrocious accent, but with such ear
nestnessl Suffice it to say that one Sunday
morning Luke, can in hand and loOkino
very crestfallen, made in due form before
the carpenter demand of marriage.
Why, my good fellow, am delightedp
replied his reconciled neighbor, who knew
besides what Luke was worth, and he said
softly in his ear, with a wink of the eye:
but thou knowest on one condition
thou wilt let me cut down this great tom
fool of a pine treer'
Luke refused. The carpenter persisted
in requiring this absurd condition. Luke
stood his ground and yet he loved well this