The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1894-01-11

more ragged than before, but appar-
emily the same humble drudge. Some
thought him even more silent than be-
fore. Nothing could induce him to
tell why or where he had been on the
mountain.
As by magic the workshop re-
turned to its former order, and Mon
sieur Perrot could devote his time to
the choice Of the goods for the store
at Interlsken. He was enduring bitter
modification of spirit. His friend,
the proprietor of the art museum, had
said:
at is certain some pupil from the
workshop OF Monsieur Perrot will
carry of the five hundred francs"
"Why ." monsieur had replied
with eager vanity. His friend waved
his hand in the direction of the works
of art just laid out for choice. "No
other work comes up to this, he re-
piled, "though I've seen all the de-
signs before"
Poor Monsieur Perrot He would have
permitted this season to pnss without
visiting Interlaken if his living had
not depended on these sales.
Some weeks later he opened the
door of his workshop with gloomy
air one morning. In few hours ho
must start for Intcrlaken. He paused
with his hand on the latch, casting
angry glances on his pupils as they
came Gathering and laughing along
the stone-paved streets.
"Fools Pigsl" he murmured.
"They have no souls, no ambitions :"
He entered the workshop and APP
, preached his desk. Here he halted
I in extreme surprise, and looked round
with eyes that swan with tears on the
noisy youths as they entered.
"rell mel" SAID he. (Which Of
youf"
He pointed to his desk, upon which
stood an exquisite carving of edelweiss
apparently growing from come rocks
piled skilfully around it. In n mo-
ment the whole troop clustered round
the master. Mouths fell open with
surprise, eyes widened with intense
nstonishment. Monsieur Perrot looked
upon them benignnntly.
"You were not willing that the old
mans workshop should lose its re-
nown?" said he, his voice trembling
with emotion. Let me embrace him
who has done this beautiful work ~
They hung their heads "Not j,
not was heard, until, abashed, all
skunk away to the benches.
Monsieur stood bewildered. His
] al, in
the perfection of the edelweiss. At
.ength he .lrned to his pupils.
"Messieurs," said he, scathing
them with his glance, this is a work
o; genius! You are right. This is
none of yours"
. he pauscd. His rowing, fiery glance
caught the radiant smile of jacques,
who stood breathless in the doorway,
/ leaning on his broom. A light broke
! in upon the mind of the old artist;
scales fell from his eyes.
Jacques !" he cried. "You?"
Well might the students be struck
; dunno witif-surP isv, for the next il"
stant saw stupid jacques, the village
drudge, held close in the embrace of
the master.
''You shall sweep no more, my son,
my som" cried Monsieur Perrot,
brushing aside lis tears Of Joy. Then
politely holding out the broom to the
workmen. he said
"Messieurs, for the future this inn
plement will he welded in turn by
one and another OF you, for
Jacques
He looked down on the lad with I'M
speakablc tenderness.
"Iou have saved the old mans name
from dishonor. Henceiorth we shall
bc as father and son. Comet 70 In
terlaken :"
He released the bewilleIed lad from
his embrace and carefully took up
the precious work of art. Monsieur
Perrot held it ont well il view OF the
open-mouthed pupils.
"Messieurs, ndieu !" said he, bowing
derisively in their direction.
. Then laying one arm around the
bent shoulders of the village drudge,
. he bore Jacques away to the world be-
? yond the valley, where fame and
fortune awaited his genius - Youth
Companion