Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-03-19
THE LITTLE PEASANT.


curling hair. She lived on the mountain
side in a hut whose walls were five fee
thick. Perhaps you are wondering why tn,
walls were so thick, so | will explain. Far
far away, up over the hut climbed the Pyre
nees, whose tops are always crowned with
snow. In front of the hut poured a wild
mountain stream, which often dashed over
the powders in threatening fury. Their
there were the heavy winter SHOWS: so, al
these things considered it was quite neces
sary that the walls of the peasants, houses
should be thick
There was quite large family in Faus
tines home, father, mother and grand
mother, besides six children. 1t was rather
crowded, you can imagine, especially in
winter. But, during summer, the children,
as well as their parents spent most of their
time out of doors Sowing and reaping,-
sowing the seed, gathering in the grain,
Faustine was the only girl; but her father
said not one of the boys could beat her in
outdoor work, which was true 1t was
not as easy to work on the mountan-side as
1t Is in level fields. There were many dis
advantages. Still the work went on and
was successful They could not use horses
and wagons to bring in the harvest on those
steep mountain sides They made large
racks, which they filled with grain, and then
fastened them to the backs of mules. The
mules We're then led home. After the last
harvest-home, Faustine had play day, two
OF her brothers accompanying her
wish you could have seen her playhouse
1t cost no money; but it was very beautiful
"a sort of grotto in the mountain side
where were gathered many treasures so
called, broken dishes, pretty stones, bril-
liant MOSES, and graceful ferns. Around
the great arphaI Ionr 1rara ,-;,a. aud ,,-;Il
flowers in great luxuriance. And such a
view from the vine-clad, arched grotto-door
Away up were the icy mountain peaks, and
yet all about them was summer land The
breath of sweet, wild roses made the air
fragrant; and everywhere were beauty and
grandeur But the bright days passed
away; and the winter came on, wild and
clustering. One day, about four o'clock in
the afternoon, it grew very dark. and the
wind began to blow so furiouslv that Faus-
tines father and two older brothers, who
were out on the mountain chopping wood
could with difficulty get home. As night
came on, the storm deepened, the thunder
rolled and lightning flashed, and the mad
waters leaped down the mountain-sde in a
torrent, sometimes catching great trees and
tossing them in pool of white foam for a
moment, and then dashing them down hun.
evening the storm abated: and Faustine's
father and older brothers went out, feeling
their way in the darkness to the low shed
where the mules were kept.
Faustine crept Out of doors, too. 1t was
so dark that she could scarcely distinguish
anything. She had intended going to the
shed to see if Bose, ner own mule, was safe
But she found herself in the roadway, near
the mountain stream. She shuddered at the
fearful scene. 1t was growing lighter
every moment, and Faustine saw Just
across the stream the wreck of a cabin. |
She shivered with fright. Whose cabin |
was it, What had become of the people |
who owned it, She asked herself these |
questions, but there came no answer save |
the swish of the foming waters great |
tree that the storm had uprooted lay direct
ly across the stream, and pillows of white
foam were whirling in and out of the
branches
Hark What was that soundl 1t was
more than a Sob it must be groan of an
guish. Whose voice was it? From whence
did 1t Gomez With one hand pressed on her
wildly-beating heart Faustine listened.
All! there 1t sounded again, that groan,
Some one must be in mortal distress Faus-
tines h art almost stood still at the dread
full thought that some human being was
crushed in that wrecked cabin across the
mountain stream.
She tried to call her father but she could
not command her voice. She tried again,
and succeeded
Father! o father"
But no answer name the wind CARRYING
her voice in another direction.
Father! o father"
Again her voice rang out but her father.
ell IN in CHI
and otherwise caring for the frightened
mules, did not hear her
What was to be done must be done with
out delay. The child realized that She
was shivering with cold and fearful ap-
prehension, but her resolve was taken at
once.
There's only one way; | must cross the
stream on the fallen tree" she said. And
in another moment her little feet were plant
ed firmly on the great tree, and her hands
were clinging to the branches. To her dis
may the wind arose, and it took all her
strength to keep her hold, as she pursued
her dangerous way, The waters leaped
over her feet, far above her knees A
great, ugly branch tore her hands and face.
and drops of blood mingled with the angry
waters. Once she lost her foothold, and
came near being carried away with the
stream; but with great struggle, she re-
gained it.
"Faustinel Faustine"
1t was her father calling in distress. He
lid not see her swaying form battling with
,he branches of the fallen tree
"Faustine! Faustine My child, where
are you"
She answered, but he did not hear her:
and she hurried on as fast as possible. She
mas reached the wreck at last. The little
cabin had struck the tree just before the
after fell. Most of it was crushed; and
.he remainder of it was resting on its side,
tossing to and fro ON the edge of the stream,
leld only by some old planks. 1t would
soon be loosened, and would dash down the
rocks.
"Is there any one insidel" called Faus-
tine; for she saw no door anywhere, no
windows either.
A woman's head appeared through
small opening, A pale, frightened face
ooked out.
ooh, is there no one but you,-a childP
she asked in great distress.
81 can help you," answered the brave
child. 81 am looking for the door
That's the trouble; the door is on the
ground; underneath my feet. So are the
windows"
A child's cry was heard distinctly.
"Some one is with you;-a baby" ques-
TONED Faustine, eagerly.
Yes, my baby,-my only child"
Lift her up through the hole, then.