Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-08-07
BRIGITTE'S TICKET.

small, thin and shriveled as an apple
kept through the winter, Pere Landry was
one of those misery old peasants of whom
1t is said they would somehow manage to
clip wool off an egg Since the death of
his wife he had given up farming" and
lived like gentleman on his income, all
alone in a small house at the end of the
village. When | say "alone," that is a
form Of speech only, for he had with him
his old servant, Brigitte but the poor
woman counted very little--a trifle more
than the dog, somewhat less than the dom
key, which had cost 100 francs. She had
been with Landry ever since she had first
come, at twelve years Of age, to tend the
cows, and was now so accustomed to the
ultra parsimonious habits of her employer
that they seemed to her perfectly natural.
The faithful, somewhat simple minded
creature had also an unbounded admira-
ton for the master, who without scruple
took advantage of her good will for his
own profit
1t is certain that Brgitte had not made
her fortune in the miser's service; but the
good woman found herself sufficiently
compensated for her zeal when the old
peasant would say in friendly way,
YOU'RE great goose, Brigitte, my girl,
take my word for it," \ broad grin would
then spread over her homely features.
HE, he, he, my master; you must always
have your little joker
One day, while saving a mason's bill by
repairing himself the wall which inclosed
his property, Landry lost his balance and
fell backward into the pond beneath, Just
where the water was deepest. He strug-
gled for several moments, calling loudly
for help but no one heard his cries. At
length, his strength being exhausted, he
was about to disappear for the last time,
when Briggite perceived him. The girl,
regardless Of her own safety, threw herself
couragecHsly into the pond, and succeeded
In bringing her master 90 terra flrma.
The old fellow was unconscious. She
carried him like a child in her arms to his
room, put him % bed, and with warmth
and friction finally succeeded in restoring
him. When be opened his eyes the excel
lent creature shed tears of JOY.
"Oh, my master, how glad am you were
not drownedr'
The old man was glad also. He re-
GREETED, though. having lost his trowel,
which had fallen into the water at the
same time as himself, but he had the deli
cacy not to speak of that. Indeed, in
first outburst OF gratitude he said with
emotion:
ut is you who saved me. shan't for
get it, Brigitte; you hear me, girl. I'll
make you present"
"oh, master. it isn't worth while; don't
mind it"
81 shall make you present, tell you"
Indeed that very evening, after a thou
sand hesitations, he called Brigitte, and
pulling from his pocket his long leather
purse, he took from it, with the grimace
Of one whose tooth is being extracted, a
twenty cent piece.
There, Brigtte, that's your present.
Over and above your wages, you under
stand, over and above" he insisted.
Now don't go and waste it,"
In comparison with the service rem
dered the recompcnse certainly did not be-
tray unbounded munifcence; therefore,
Pere Landry, TO augment the value Of his
gift, was careful TO add:
at is just the price Of lottery ticket.
Buy one, and You will win a hundred
thousand francsr
II was the first time in his life that old
Landry had given way TO such liberality.
He remembered IL for many days after;
took deep interest in the fate of his TWEEN
ty cent piece, and asked the servant in
huieihpic tiihcs u sue hhu DOuBnJ her
lottery ticket.
Not yet, MASTER" was the invariable
reply
At length, to put an end TO his questions.
which seemed repeated with mathematical
regularity, she decided to satisfy the good
mans curiosity.
Eyes, master, I've bought one"
"Ahl what numberY"
Number a."
That's good, that's good" said the old
man. profoundly impressing the figure on
his mind. "fon won't lose it now, hopeg"
Never fear, master"
Because if yJn thought you might
"WelY"
well, you could give it to me. I'd keep
it for you in my drawer"
81 shant lose it,
The habits Of Landry and his servant.
which had been disturbed by this event,
then resumed thelr usual course. Little
food, still less sleep and prodiQious
amount of work. Landry himself was al
most consoled for his prodizality when,
one morning at the village barberis, where
he went from time TO time to read the Ga
zette, gratis, he experienced a fearful emo
ton.
The newspaper gave the result Of the
lottery drawing, and the story was headed
with these words, which shone like charac-
tiers Of fire before the spectacles Of thedaz-
zled good man. NO. "a wins the first
prize of 100000 francs" Landry gave such
a shout that the frightened barber, turn
ing suddenly about. cut bit off the ear of
the schoolmaster, whom he was shaving.
What on earth is the matter with you,
Pere Landry"
Nothing, nothing at all - replied the old
fellow, who had already regained his com
posture.
Carefully adjusting his spectacles, he
then slowly reread the announcement syl-
liable by syllable.
That time he was sure he had made no
mistake. No. "a, the number Brigitte had
bought. He let fall the paper and, com
pletely overwhelmed, started on at full
speed for home.
Brigitte had made ready her masters
frugal breakfast OF cheese and walnuts.
,.1I hft,aalf 1T H..