Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-04-16

taken his place by the sick boy Fasie en-
tered with a large bowl of steamng it's
ane, small plant which she had gone to
gather upon the heath. She told the
youth to have the invalid drink this. and
showed him the herb that he might re.
lew the remedy when needed. She
;hen took her leave. bidding him to ex.
ercse zeal and patience.
Simon executed so we'll the orders
given him that when -tuilette returned
from her journey IittIc Iienriot was sit
ting up.
When Harii returned Annette did not
fail to inform him what the youth had
done for the young brother and for t.s
catil
Il hs'leve" said she, that the yonn;
man has Intelligence. knowledge. and
| goodness. IL he is always as useful to
uur mouse as he has been Ties two dnls
he will be to you, sir. great =: r'"n".'.'
I'VE will see to that. replied f Ter
/ IIar,ii. who did not care to pronoGn"c
upon persons capacity before he bad
tested it. But in spite Of this what his
daughter .Iad said influenced him and he
offered Simon better wages than he had
expected.
For the rest the young man seemed to
be all that one could desire. He WAS u
sturdy workman, and his advice turn"d
ever to Harciis advantage. for, to rrl the
truth. these counScs were generally from
the whispers of Fasie who passed by
Boulaies every week, and who never
failed to give him some good suggestions.
Some of these were rs to precautions to
be taken in sickness that affected tile
sheep of the district, and some upon the
grain and the fodder.
One day she had predicted rainy wea
ther for 20 days. Simon fastened to
gather in his masters wheat, with the re-
suit that it was saved. while that of his
ncighbors germinated in the field. At
another time she came hurrying to tell
| him that great rick of hay was becom-
ing heated and would take fire; and, in
fact, when the youth arrived there with
the farm hands he found it smoking like
4 brick kiln.
The old woman allowed the young
man to receive all the merit for the serv-
ices rendered, so that Hardi inclined
to him more and more every day.
Above all, Annette preferred him TO
NIL the young men of the canton. She
had already refused several suitors with
ont giving the true reason. Simon i'm
agjned it, and he felt no less friendship
for the young woman than she did for
him: but as she was rich and of good
people he could not hope to be accepted
rs Il son in law. which made his heart ache
Old Fase perceived his chagrin, and
OWNED the cause. One day when he
was returning to his work, his spade on
his shoulder. she stopped him near the
gable of the farm building and said to
iiim brusquely that she knew very well
what had made him so languid during
some months.
You think that the name of Hardi
does not suit pretty Annette, she added,
"nnd you would like to barter it of her
for that of Simon.
Upon your salvation speak lower"
cried the young man in alright.
"Wherefore 2" cried she.
Because if any one hears you shall
be driven from Bouaies."
YOU think so! Very wcll then. my
lad. IT is necessary that You explain your
self without delay. Annette has a friend
ship for you. If you have no leaning to
her likewise. it is needful to break this
good will asunder. Show that you arc
an honest man"
II ask nothing better, Fasie; bat how
am to do it,"
you should go and seek Mother lar.
di, who is in the grange, and announce
to her that You must quit Boulaies; and
when she inquiries the reason you will
tell her boldly"
Simon was little dismayed at the
cXpedent, but the old peasant declared
to him that this was the only way, and
if he felt that this was his duty he must
so decide.
A the first announcement of his de-
parture Mother Hardi exclaimed loudly,
so that all could hear her; but when he
avowed the true cause of this resolution
she stopped short. One was not allie to
say what she thought, only that she had
not considered the matter before. When
she had heard all the young mans rca-
sons she said to him in an amcable tone
that this would increase the consider
Hliou Sic ndu Always iidu ioi mn, tiidl
she could not answer at once as it was
for tile master to decide, but would
speak to him in the evening.
Hardly had Simon left the house when
Annette, who had been trimming the
vegetables in an adjoining apartment and
had heard all, came forth from her place
of concealment and seated herself with
fearful eyes near her mother. The two
women had long conversation, follow
ing which the elder one went to find her
husband. He, the next day, drew Simon
apart in the field, and, after having
heard him repeat what had been said to
his wife the previous evening, declared,
with grasp of his hand, that he asked
nothing better than to become his father
in law.
The wedding was celebrated with great
fcstivity, and Simon invited Mother Faoio
to be present, in spite of the observations
of some of the relations, who were afraid
that the old woman would bring mislor-
tune to the household. At the moment
when she was about to depart the young
man presented to her pretty panirr,
quite new, and filled with provisions, and
Il cloth, which he beggel her to accept in
recognition of what she had done for him.
Il know that you do not want for any
thing, Mother Fasie, said lie with a IT..
spect little mixed with timdity, "for |
see that everybody submits to yourwill
(which is to say that you, ALSO believe
me to be witch?" responded the old