The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-04-09
A SINGULAR LAWSUIT.

Jean Rcnard was q poor tilcr OF Gren'
o%uillevillc WHO Ind n wiio aud two
children. Jean WIS 10 advocate Of
polygamy. He found ono vile quito
enough, for Louise, rs she was called,
often led him a hard life.
Jean worked witll'a will from morn
ing to night; he was full OF courage and
strength, and yet, in. rpite Of all tho
hours lie 0pent OIL tho roofs III company
with love-lorn cats, lie barely managed
to eto out q living.
Tho two young iters, thoir mother,
and me-" said lie, "tlat makes four, and
four stomachS to fill Is not n small. Of.
fair; it means: 10 work, Jean!"l ,
And work lie did, poor man. and We.
never knew what it meant to have a few
spare coins laid by in tho corner OF q
drawer. ,H'H H.
Tho winter OF ~1S79-lSSO, cruelty ricor.
Gus, rs will be remembered, taxed the
slater rudely. No work TO DO had; to
warm his blood no was obliged, from
time to time, to whip his arms back
and forth; but work also would have
kept his blood IN circulation. and in adj
dition would have brought in coins for
dinners and breakfast.
Often ut this time, Jean Rengrd look.
ed up at the high stecple OF the old
church OF Grenouillcyilln. In many
places the ruined states had fallen away
piece by piece. What Il lot OF work
there was to be done ON that spire.
OF course, it was dangerous work.
jean knew that, but he knew his trade
Long ago, also. she cool; that pcrehed
on the summit OF this spirc had been
blown down during 4 Aorm. Tho cure
had often been asked by his people to
reinstatc this cock in his high
station, and had always replied
that he asked nothing better, il he could
manage to do so without its costin. him
anything.
Jean RcEard had IN inspiration:
Suppose l propose to the cure to put
buck his cock fornothine, il he will give
me the work that is to be done OIL the
steeplc."
But the cure was a miser, and he re.
piled that it made no difference to him
ii the stecple was lealiy, as he did not
sleep there.
REPAIR MS much as you want to-"
said he 10 jean, "but ! will not.giyc you
q cent"
The slater found this too little, and
gave up the affair, keeping, however, a
grudee against tho cure.
at about this epoch there was a
change in the mayoralty OF GrcnouiIlc-
vile. The new magistrate inaugurated
his rule by asking the cure to repaint
tho flag. covered with rust, which
crowned the stecplc.
"2ut, Monsieur lie Maire," objected
tho cure, you do dot ask me il | have
the money to pay for the work"
do not bother yourself about that.
Monsieur 10 Cure" replied tho mayor;
"have the flag rcpaintcd and the munic-
ipality shall pay"
Every well, then. since you wish it."
replied the cure, none too happy at see
ing the national colors float owe his
stcople.
True to his principles, the cure beat
down the price, franc by franc, in max
ing'his bargain with Jean Renard; and
when it was concluded, the priest add
ed, "And it is well understood that put
ting back Tie cock is included in the
bargain"
"Oh, no." said Jean, that is not un-
derstood at all. That, you know, sir,
doubles the labor; and, also, the cock
has TO be put higher than l mount to
paint the flag. Placing the cock is n
perilous job-so p~erilous that it ia M
lille you are asking me to risk TO- moth
ing. No"
Eyes, my friend" said the cure, with
an u%Ectuous smile; you will do that
for tho love OF God"
"Do you say masses for the love OF
God, Monsieur 10 Curcf l consent to
replace the cock, but you will add fifty
francs to your price; IL is worth that"
FIFTY francs!" cried tho priest. "The
deuce | will! How you run on! See
here. Jean, once you are up there, it
won't be mucl, Of an effort to 60 4 few
steps higher"
"Dut if misfortune befalls me. do vol;
think you, for the love OF God, will care
for and bring up my children?"
Come! come! No more talking. I'll
give you ten cranes"
"Ah. Monsieur 10 Cure, you take ad-
vantage Of my poverty. You know l
must Darn u living, and SO you get the
better OF me, In short, l accept for ton
francs more"
The cure, delighted at his success,
spread tho good news through the town:
At last the cock was going to be i'll place
once more!
. 9 o 9
1t was December, andthe bad weather
still persisted. Jean, therefore, was
forced to wait several days before I'M
dertaking his dangerous ascent. At
length the rain ceased; by night tho
clouds hadgone, and next morning all
tho roofs were covered with frost.
"Clear weather." said the slater. III
can 20 to work to-day"
All the good folks OF Grenouillevillc
were assembled in front OF the church,
in the large square, to SEQ Jean Rcnard
hoist himself to Tho top OF the steeple.
Fc had in his belt three bottles contain.
ing rcd, white and blue paints Tor the
flag, and 10 his back was attached the
cock, rcsplendcnt in new gliding. He
entered the church to pass by window
at tho base of tho spirc.
When he appeared, throwing one OF
his ropes over the first hook OF tho
steeplc, there was 4 murmur OF con.
Stprnation from the WATCHING c,ou,d .