Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-02-13
THE LAST wren.


him while lac was too small 20 do any
work. After that he had served as 9
sheep boy at the place of the hardest mas
GER of the country, where, in default OF
other instruction, he learned TO be sub
missive and have patience.
But he was now Of age. Simon was in
his 20th year, aud it was time to seek
better position.
A certain Pierre uardi wanted a youth
TO work for him; 50 he took the road to
che farm at Boulaies, where he hoped 20
arrange matters with the master and OBJ
tain a good meal and good wages.
Simon felt the effect OF the temper
ature. In spite Of himself he slackened
his pace when at turn of the road he
met old Fasie loaded with great basket
and two heavy packages.
The young man knew the old peasant,
and her reputation in the country Of be-
ing in league with Satan, also OF her power
to read the future and cast spells. Partly
from fear and partly from respect to her
age, he had always been very polite to
The witch, and he courteously removed
his hat and inquired as to the state of
her health.
Fasis paused breathless.
by my baptism, but you have arrived
most apTopos, my young fellow, " said
she, "and you will assist me in taking
part of my loadi"
Willingly, il you are going my way,
replied Simon.
"Then take the packages, said the
sorceress, "Iknow where you are going.
As he showed surprise she continued:
"Do you not hope for q place at the
house OF Pierre Hardif In fact, he
wants q man to work for him. Strive TO
attach yourself to this household, for it
will be of great advantage TO you. The
master has means, and the daughter, An
aette, is not yet promised. II you are
polite to her and true to the parents, per-
haps you will set yourself upon the road
Co good wedding"
Simon put far away from him this idea
as too ambitious for a poor youth without
means. But the thought made his heart
bound, aud he could not but think of it
in spite OF himself. Fasie continued 20
speak of Hardi, whom she knew, as she
said, from their first communion, and
advised him what to do.
The young man listened without ap-
pearing to do so; he even thought that
this old woman had the power to cause
him to succeed, il she had the fancy, for
every one in the parish knew that she had
power over persons and things. But
he was not bold enough to ask of her such
a service.
Still the two went but slowly along, till
| Simon, who had left the house of the for
mer master rather late, began to fear that
he should not arrive at Boulaies until
near the middle of the night The peas
ant OWNED his impatience, and guided
him across the fields by COW paths and
byways.
1t was wonderful how this shortened
the journey. At the end Of an hour ST.
mon perceived that they had left behind
them the villages that had seemed so far
to him, Unhappily the sky had become
dark. the thunder rumbled. and as the7
crossed heath all the water gates of
the sky were opened at once.
Simon wished to gain group OF pop
lars that were upon their right. lat ihe
old woman hindered him by declaring
that this was to 60 to meet misfortune.
"It is necessary, however, to seek
shelter, Mother Fasie, said the young
man, who felt himself getting saturated.
descend on this side, responded She
following the track which turned toward
the village.
But the water took the same course,
and both were Immediately over their
shoes in Il. The storm increased, the
flashes Of lightning were incessant, and
the thunder resounded from all corners
/ of the sky Simon, who foundered
deeper and deeper in the moist earth, be-
gan TO regret that he had not followed his
first idea, when Fasie turned suddenly
and pointed out to him with her cane
where two of the poplars under which hs
had wished to take refuge had been shat
tered by a thunderbolt At the same
time size urged him to hasten his steps by
indicating that they were on the road to
lime burners kiln.
"These white tracks show that we are
near plaster quarry, she added; "and
though it is dark il seems to me that
I perceive it below our feet there. A
few more steps and we shall find what
we need.
In fact, they arrived after few min
utes at the lime kiln. The burners gave
them space under their shed and before
their fire to dry themselves. A move
ment of the eye served them in this, as
ears were of no use, The storm still con-
tinued, and they had to exercise patience.
Bread and meat came very opportunely,
since the journey had shsrpened the
young mans appetite. Fasie perceived
with what pleasure he accepted the
smoking broth.
| swell, it is my opinion that we did
better in gaining this rsvine than in
stopping in the little poplar grove,
said she, with twinkle Of her eye.
@This is your doing, Mother Fasie,
replied Simon, quite respectfully. You
know more than we, and we should fol.
low your directions.
The supper eaten, the old woman de-
ciared that it was time to depart, and
having thanked their entertainers they
resumed their way.
The sky was still overcast; the atmos-
| phere was filled with adense fog which
prevented their seeing far in advance.
A few stars shone here and there, almost
drowned in the mist The. two came to
! the marshes OF Fouceaux, which it was
/ necessary to cross.