Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-04-07
THE OLD PINE TREE,


neighborhoOd a guardian tree-growing. a
venerated object, near the entrance. As it
extends its heavy branches over the roof il
seems like some great protecting being
guarding the entire household from un-
lucky influences and from evil working
Spirits which, according to the rustic i'm
aglnation, swarm mysteriously in the air
In front OF one OF these white dwellings,.
Inhabited by a single husbandman named
Luke Laborde, hourshed an immense pine
tree, which, shooting straight up to "A
height Of nearly 200 feet from the ground
spread majestically beneath the clouds the
enormous parasol shaped covering of its
branches like some hydrangea Of gigantic
growth
The pine tree gave it, name to the dwell
ing Of the LabOrdes and it took for its
sign The Parasol" IL is seen from all
points Of the surrounding district, and the
larger birds which migrate in the autumn
sometimes deign 20 rest upon il, for they
know they are in safety on this lordly tree
whose branches tower aloft so far from
men.
And the pine tree brought prosperity 70
the dwelling. Luke Laborde, the young
owner, still unmarried, is almost rich: his
fields prosper his granaries are heavy
with the harvests, his cattle docile and
well fed And never into his dwelling did
any contagious disease find its way, thanks
20 the PatFiarchal watchfulncss Of the pine
tree, whose purifying branches watt inces
sanity their vague but abundant perfumes
through the air
Thou hast - famous tree therep' said
Cazade, the carpenter, to him one day-he
was newly settled in the neighboring
dwelling-"Fll give thee hundred francs
for it."
This man did not belong to that part of
the country. lie spoke the French Ian.
guage. Coming from distant town he
knew not the respect that is due TO the
guardian tree of the dwelling Luke for
gave him.
1T is insuileraber said the same car
penter, coming to him a year later. THAT
pine tree Of thine casts a shadow over my
orchard; every apple tree ! plant there
dies. Besides, the roots of this foolish tree
overturu my fence wall | warn thee, my
Lad, that If thou wit not sell il to me. |
shall set the fire at itr'
Luke tucked up his sleeves, spat vigor-
Ously into his hands, after the Gascon
fashion, and made ready with all his
might to drive this sacrilegious neighbor
home again.
He was about 10 punish him severely
when voice, FUN Of distress-and vet il
sounded like sweet music to his ears-s.d.
denly cried:
"Help Murdcrl lIeis killing my fatherp'
The possessOr Of this tlutehke voice was
young girl, who appeared flushed and
angry. The peasant paused disarmed by
these outCricS from Mile Louise Cazade.
little cries which had in them a sugges-
ton Of the color Of roses, and which. TO his
ears, accustomed as they were to the low.
ing Of oxen, brought strange sensation
Of honeyed words
A spring evening. The pine tree offers
70 the breeze the young shoots Of it's
hrsnches-shoOts so tender and small that
they seem like tiny green fingers trying TO
catch the sunbeams ON the wing. Aud the
breeze doubtless has great delight in the
soft touch OF these tiny fingers; for in the
pine tree top it huns joyous tune with
gentle, purring sound.
Now beneath the pine tree IL female form
appears, furtively gathering at shutdown
a few dry twig- with which to light a fire,
no doubt Luke like a good landlord
went 10 investigate The maiden blushed
ana tremblcd when she saw him approach
Il ask your forgiveness" she STAN,
mered out 1T was for will put them
back again"
1t was Louise, the carpenters daughter.
She doubtless thought that no one saw
her, and 50 she bad taken the liberty-at |
her home the fire would never burn
Here they are, monsieur" she added, |
still blHshiH2, and Offering the contents OF |
her apron.
Luke felt something strange stirring in |
his bosom, for the maidens eyes shone like |
two orient stars.
"Oh, keep thenr be generously said. |
And If you want any more-herel herep I
Then he also. bending down, laboriously I
gathered up a quantity Of twigs, and, ]
o. painting like "a deer, advanced to deposit |
them in the apron Of his fair neighbor
"Here Madenoisele herel"
But he suddenly started A fnger-a |
finger Of hers-had touched him tunawares,
Of course} on the palm of bis hand And /
thereupon while the crafty pine tree who !
had contrived this meeting, hummed in |
the darkness % vague hooking air, Luke /
fed without "a word, rs if be had been !
touched by red hot iron.
Naturally, few days afterward the /
roguish tree saw them meet again beneath |
him, less shy and more congpnial this time 1
One evening, indeed, when the dying sun /
was causing the summit Of the pine tree .
TO blush as if under the kiss OF the star Of /
day, Luke, who was on the whole "a good /
hearted fellow, vengurcd 80 .ty 10 Nile /
Louise, who was after all very pretty
II love you mademoiscllcl"
And that IN the French language, with /
am atrocious accent, but with such ear
nestnessl Suffice 1t TO say that one Sunday
morning Luke, cap in hand and looking /
very crestfallen. made IN dine form before
the carpenter demand OF marriage.
"Why, my good fellow, I am delightedp'
replied his FecoHciled Beighbor, who knew
besides what Luke was worth, and he said
softly in bis ear with wink Of the eye:
But thou knowest on one condition
thou wilt let me cut down this great tom
fool Of a pine treel"
Luke refused. The carpenter persisted
in requiring this absurd condition Luke