Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-01-12

edelweiss!
Bright though the sun might be
about Jacques, that was but dark
Cay in the workshop. Everything
went wrong. Models were displaced,
dust covered the floor, and the pupil
who volunteered his services to clear
the room upset some fragile work CT
the masters. Monsieur Perrot cried
vehemently hundred times that
morning, "Where is this Jacques? I'll
belabor him soundly when he arrives! J!
A second day passed, and by this
time a goat-herd, arriving at the vii
lage, mentioned incidentally that
Jacques had passed the night in his
chalet. The villagers learned to miss
him in the week that followed, and
nursed their wrath at his temerlty IN
thus breaking the routine of his lie.
The authorities decided that messen-
GER should be sent to bring him back
to the village; but this step was
rendered unnecessary, as one day
Jacques reappeared, a little paler and
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 wnere 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 Interlaken. He was enduring bitter
modification Of spirit His friend,
the proprietor Of the art museum, had
said:
1T is certain some pupil from the
workshop Of Monsieur Perrot will
carry of the five hundred francs. "
"Why so?" 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 mp to this, he re-
piled, though I've seen all the de-
signs before
Poor Monsieur Perrot He would have
permitted this season to pass without
visiting Interlaken ii his living had
not depended on these sales
Some weeks later he opened the
door of his workshop with a gloomy
air one morning. In few hours he
must start for Interlaken. 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.
"Foolsl Pigs" he murmured.
"They have no souls, no ambitions"
He entered the workshop and ap-
preached his desk. Here he halted
in extreme surprise, and looked round
with ewes that swan with tears on the
noisy youths as they entered.
"Tell me!" said he. (which Of
you
He pointed to his desk, upon which
stood an exquisite carving Of edelweiss
apparently growing from some rocks
piled skilfully around it. In mo-
ment the whole troop clustered round
the master. Mouths fell open with
surprise, eyes widened with intense
astonishment. Monsieur Perrot looked
upon them benignantly.
you we're not willing that the old
mans workshop should lose IT'S re-
nown?' said ne, his voice trembling
with emotion. LET me embrace him
who has done this beautiful work ="
They hung their heads. "Not /,
not l." was heard, until, abashed, all
skunk away to the benches.
Monsieur stood bewildered. His
enraptured gaze seemed absorbed in
the perfection of the edelwess AT
length he turned to his pupils.
"Messieurs, said he, scathing
them with his glance, this is a work
of genius You are right. This is
none of yours. "
He paused. Hisroving, 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.
"Jacquesl" he cried ''You?"
Well might the students be struck
dumb with surprise, for the next in
slant saw stupid Jacques, the village
drudge, held close in the embrace ol
the master.
"You shall sweep no more, my son,
my sonr" cried Monsieur Perrot,
brushing aside his tears of JOY. Then
politely holding out the broom to the
workmen. he said:
''Messieurs, for the future this i'm
plement will be welded in turn by
one and another of you, fol
jacques"
He looked down on the lad with un-
speakable tenderness.
"You have saved the old mans name
from disbonor. Heneeforth we shall
be as father and son. Comel To In
terlakenl" !"
He released the bewildeIed lad from
his embrace, and carefully took NJ
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