The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-30
Two Lite French Peasants.

MARY NJ. Friend In the sunny Hour. }
Day was breaking one morning ~
December. many years ago. Inc trees
were stripped OF all their leaves; the
wind blow furiously; the ground as Gov
cred with snow.
Two poor children pale and thin ana
clad I'm miserable rags, came out OF
hut on the edge of a forest I'm France.
Their shoes were full of holes They
wore coarse linen trousers, cheap blue
blouses, and bonets made Of the skins
Of rabbits sewed together.
Uuda.uted by the cold. they STROBE
manfully along towards the center %!
a forest. When they had walked con
siderable distance, they stopped at
place Wher- several roads met.
Here, Frank said Edward, take
this rope. and bind mp in it as much dead
wood as YOU can. gather together "
Il Will, brother
when YOU have gathered enough
you can meet mc at the entrance 10 the
forest"
The brothers then separated. taking
different roads. They soon gathered
sticks enough 10 make heavy load
apiece. Bending under their loads they
met shortly aitcrwdrd At the place APP
pointed.
Let us make haste now Edward"
said Frank, FOR while We are lettering
here. mother is suffering from the cold"
ION. yes. we must hasten replied I'd
ward with chdtterng teeth, FOR the
wind Flows in from all sides Of the hut,
the roof on the straw where we slept
last night"
"Ah! you little robbers! I have caught
you at last" rough voice shouted sud
denly, in their eyes.
The two boys were badly frightened
and the let their loads fall from their
backs. and threw themselves weeping al
the feet OF the man who now presented
himself.
Pardon. pardon Mr. Adrian" they
cried i'm broken voices.
The man TO whom they appealed looked
as il there was no mercy i'm his heart
for them. He was stif. grun-loOklnB
fellow, with repulsive voice and manners
and he fixed his eyes on the two tremb-
ling boys with a fierce expression. HIS
dress was that OF "A gdme-keeper, and ne
carried Il shotgun under his arm.
Little rascals," he said furiouSy. do
you suppose | am going to let you rob
the marquis of his wood in this way
But we shall see about tive shall see
But it is dead wood. sir" pleaded Ed
ward, "and when il is not gathered II
only decays upon the ground. and does
no good TO any one"
Gone, come. Mr.. Lawyer" sneered
and follow me-.
Follow you? Where"
ITO prison, you little iGampS. - 40
spairlns voice; 80. good sir, IL pity spare
"No I tell you
but would you De NluTnti'it littb-
cd Edward "OuT mother may die Of the
cold while We are gone, for she has only
ms in tn. world 10 help her, and II you
put us i'm prison what viii she do
THAT is nothing to me- replied the
man with the heart Of flint.
10 YOU have neither heart nor soul IN
YOU" cried Frank in desperation. Well
may the people give you the title OF ina
"They may call me what they please"
said the game-keeper, an8riy. u per
form my duty to ny employee ana 40
not bother myself about anything else.
"Listcn. Mr.. Andran,' said Edward.
II am larger ant stronger than my
brother. and ( gathered more OF the dead
wood than he did |. therefore am more
guilty than he. go you can punish ne
FOR both Of us; punish me as you will.
sir, but send my brother back to the
cottage" -, ,,
Frank touched by the generosity OF ms
brother; 'it Is / whom you must send
TO prison. Edward Is stronger than J
am, and his labor is more useful u oGi
mother"
Come, come, you little devils, you ar'
wasting your breath" sail Andrian, "yoy
need not be. jea!ous-both OF you shal
go to prison"
"My poor mother" sobbed Frank.