Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-05-05
A MISER'S DIPLOMACY.
Old Brigitte and Her Lucky Lot
terry Ticket.

Old Landry was thin, shrivcled up
little man, very rich, and so parsimoni-
GUS that people said he could shave an
egg.
Since the death Of his wife he had
lived all alone in tiny house in his ma
tive village. We say "nlonc," although
he had an old servant with him, but
Brigittc was Of small account, little
more valuable than the dog, perhaps,
but less than the donkey, for that cost
forty crowns. She had entered The
Landry household as COW girl when only
twelve years old, and had remained
there ever since, and was n simple, hon
est soul, with n boundlcss admiration
for 1.-THE master" lie did not hesitate
10 turn 10 good account her blind, dog
like devotion, aud, us n consequence,
Brigitte's savingG were not large,
though her duties were nrduous.
"You are n good old fool" he would
sometimes say to her, by the way of
recompcnse for her ceaseless industry,
and then her wide mouth would expand
slowly in delighted grin, which dis
played her toothless gums as she ex-
claimed admiringly:
master loves TO make little jolse!"
One day the miscr thought he could
save .nason's bill by repairing
broken wall at the side of pond, but
while he was at work his foot happened
TO slip and lie fell into the water Just
where IL was most deep. lie went
laundering about for n minute or two
calling for help at the top of his voice,
but no one heard him, and his strength
being exhausted he was about to sink
| for the third time when Brigttc caught
sight of him, and, lcaping into the pond
ut the risk of her own life, she succeed
cd. after desperate efforts, In bringing
him TO land. The old man was uncon-
scious, but Brigittc took him un-
der her arm as II he were bundle of
straw, carried him home and rubbed
him so vigorously that animation was
restored. When he opened his eyes the
good creature shed tears of Joy, and
he had the dclicacy not TO mention the
fact of her having neglected to save his
trowcl, which he had dropped in the
water, and which was great loss be-
ing quito new. On the contrary, he
exclaimed, in n burst of grateful gem
crosby:
"You saved my life, and shall not
forget it, shall give you present,
Brigittc."
True to his word, the next day he
called her to him, and after some hest
tation drew out his long leather purse
from his pocket, and then, with as much
effort as IL he were pulling tooth, he
tool, out Il coin and handed II 10 her.
Twenty cents" hc said, cover and
above your wages, Brigittc; you UNDER
stand, this is not to be deducted; it u a
present Now do not spend it foolishly.
You can buy lottery ticket with it,
and perhaps you will win hundred
thousand francs!"
1t was the first time in his life that he
had been So generous, and he could not
forget It, but seemed to take II tender
interest in the fate of his twcnty-ccnt
piece. Again and again he asked the
! old woman whether she had bought the
ticket.
mot yet, master" was her answer,
every tiInc he asked. but one day she
replied to his usual inquiry;
"Ycs, master, have bought IT,"
"Nhat number Is it?" he said.
Number thirty-four."
Take care that you do not lose the
ticket. win lock it up in my closet
for you, II you like"
"Oh, no, master, will not lose IT,"
After that excitement matters re-
| sumcd their usual course in old Landy's
house, plenty Of work and very little
food continuing 20 fall to Brigittc's
share. The miscr was beginning To
forget his own prodigality in rcwarding
the servant, when one day, at the bar
bcr's shop, whore he had dropped in, as
usual, to read the newspaper without
buying II, he caught sight Of n para
graph which gave him terrific shock
II was the result of the drawing of the
lottery, and one line stood out In flaming
figures which nearly dazzlcd him.
Number IS wins the grand prize of
one hundred thousand francs"
The miser uttered such cry as he
read, that the startled barber grazed
with his razor the ear of the school
master who was being shaved at that
moment.
"What is the matter?" cried both men
at once.
|
Landry, recovering his presence of
mind, and then he rcadjusted his spec
tacles and read the line again, spelling
each word carefully. There was no
mistake; number thirty-four, Brigitte's
number, had won the grand prize! lie
put down the paper and rushed out OF
the shop. As he strobe along on his home
ward way, he became conscious of the
fact that old PriRitte, the drudge, wa
now rich woman, and that II was b.
means Of his twenty-cent piece tina
this wonder had come 10 pass. HI
money he reflected, had won the prize
So, did not the fortune belong 10 him
A dozen different schemes for possess
ing himself Of the money passed through
his mind, and at least he decided upoI
n desperate plan.
"Well ,Brinitte. any newsP" he said
as he entered his house, where tn
woman was busy at her usual tasks.
aRO nagtar axcant that nua ~ tb