Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-05-12
RULE.

mo, master, do not love you. nor
DO you love me. Men never love each
Other''
These words were addressed by serv-
ant to his master, the possessor of a
goodly farm.
You are insane" responded NJ.
georges, as he turned to watch the men
busy thrashing the grain in corner of
the barn.
am not insane"
We'll, then, wicked, stupid or what
you will,
Simon Trebeau for an instant stood i'll
silent thought. his eyes riveted upon the
face of his master
1 am wicked, am T." he questioned.
Yes, if the term best pleases you"
Have you only found that out to-
day." continued the man, with a look
of sullen hate.
Simon Trebeau was about 80 years of
age, badly formed, with a face both
ugly in features and expression His
hair was reddish in hue, and his eyes
small and in color blush gray. Usually
these same eyes were most expression
less, but now they seemed strangely ami
| mated. NJ. Georges was tall, his figure
good, and his face handsome and ex-
presslve; moreover, his character dis
played great resolution and force, to-
gether with decided amiability.
Would you injure me, Simon?" con-
tinued NJ. Georges.
why should 1? What good would ]
derive from SO doing?" responded Simon
with laugh.
Simon, " responded the master stern
ly, IF you do hot alter, and in much
your manner toward me, we will not, as
| had hoped, grow old together Be to
me that which you should and while l
| have bread to break you shall share it
with me. p"
"And if l do rot SEQ fit to change,
what then?" inquired Simon briefly.
"You give me but one choice in that
case -
lyon would discharge me-, resumed
| Trebeau, laughing sardonically. Il have
done yoa good service, and yet you
would send me off, cast me aside, as
you would work glove"
"Insolent fellow !" exclaimed Georges.
why iDsolent? l may speak with
freedom. am no longer your servant,
being discharged by your own words. "
"You say truly, for you are indeed
no longer my servant, - replied Georges
firmly.
"Then we are quits. You have paid
| I e.,
mon as he threw over his shoulder the
! old haversack which contained all his
earthly goods, and without another
| word he left the barD.
The night was warm and starless,
and intense darkness reigned. In the
1 midst of sound sleep Georges was
| awakened by the loud bark of their
| watchdog. The tocsin of the parish
was ringing, and stream of brigh.
/ light filled the cottage. Rising quickly
Georges behold his fields Of grain on
! fire, the barn ablaze, and last, although
not least, the fearful element had
reached the cottage, which was doomed
to certain destruction, and in single
night the boasted wealth of the rich
farmer was laid waste.
Two months after this misfortune had
befallen NJ. Georges miserable hut
was the abode of the farmer and his
| family, and this refuge was accorded by
the kindness of charity. Georges lay i'll,
and could not work. His shoulder had
been dislocated. A surgeon. it is true,
attended him free of charge, but in con-
sequence his visits were few and I'M
certain, and many were the fears enter
tanned for Georges by his anxious fam
ily. At length he was able to move, and
soon after to resume work, and he asked
assistance of his neighbors.
Have you brought anything"' in
CURED Nine. Georges one evening Oh
his return from long day of search.
"Nothing, nothing - was the sad an
swer.
"And our children?" sobbed the un-
happy woman. "There is no food in the
house. Have you brought nothing for
them to eat:''
Nothing" he responded, "save this
bread, dry and hard as stone, which
the benevolent have given us. With
these words he placed upon the wooden
table loaf of stale bread, and, sinking
upon !. seat exhausted, he covered his
face with his hands and wept silently.
Slowly a strange and deathlike feeling
came over the strong man, and ne sank
upon the floor exhausted.
In terror Nine. Georges knelt beside
her husband. Georges breathed with Ell
fort; great beads of perspiratlon stood
out upon his brow, but soon the spasm
of pain and grief passed, and, surround
ed by his children, Georges prayed Tor
renewed strength.
At nightfall Mime. Georges folded a
spread taken from off her bed, and with
this burden Rugged close beneath her
arm she stole from the hut. Inc hoon
was shining brightly, and, guided by It's
III ys,Jn