The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-17

were at once dispelled, and she conversed
with him in implicit confidence.
On the morning of the morrow the sage
laid his hand on the young mans shoulder
rousing him from his slumber, and said
spare the child the trial of leave-tak-
ing; l will bid her goodby for thee. Thy
work awaits thee elsewhere
Manoli cast fond glance at the SUM
bering girl, whose long eyelashes shaded
her thin cheeks, while her regular gentle
breathing indicated peaceful sleep.
- would fain larry awhile mere, where
all is so restful," murmured the youth;
but the Hermit led him with tirmness to-
wards the door.
he tasks thou hast performed up to
| the present time do not count for much,
my child; thou hast not yet earned thy
rest"
SO Manoli again went down the valley.
where he came across one Of his fathers-
the Emperor s-former servants, who was
busily employed in building a hut with
branches of trees and liquid mud, while
his wife by his side nursed two little chill
dren.
What are you about" asked Manoh.
who knew the man, lila, at once. al
though his face was so wrinkled and
aged by sorrow that he appeared ten years
older than when he had last seen him. AL
most he betrayed himself for he was on
the point. Of calling out the mans name.
Alas. l have seen better days" said
lila. 4 served the Emperor faithfully for
many years, and have often carried his
son in my arms; but now an evil star pur
sues me, and / have been dismissed from
the place, and turned out into the street
with my wife and our little ones"
For what reason was this?" asked Ma
noi
Because the young Prince, his son. has
" nd al
who were sent in search of him but were
unable 10 find him We're dismissed without
rhyme or reason. The Emperor cared but
little for this son, while he was near him,
but now that he has entirely disappeared
heaven and earth are to be removed TO dis
cover his whereabouts. However, it is to
be hoped that he VIII soon forget him now,
as he is about TO marry again. Perhaps, if
the new Empress gives him a son, ne
viii think no more of the one he has lost,
though we shall still be poor and unfor-
tunate.
Perhaps I may be able to help you,
said Manoh.
You How can you help me?" and he
looked disdainfuly at the youth How
can you help me? I ask. What is your
name, pray, and where do you come from?
"Manoli! My young Prince was called
My name is Manoli, and 1 should like
to serve you. 1 understand gardening quite
weI'
"Manol! My young Prince was called
Manoli May God punish him for having
brought me to such a pass l fear you are
only a vagabond, who win cause trouble
and veXation instead of giving me help"
TRY me and see. You can send me
away when you will If l do not perform
my duty as you WISH
But you will eat my childrens bread
without giving me any in return"
Il only ask you to try me-
lila shrugged his shoulders.
''In Gods name | will put thy word to
the test. vagabond; but shouldest thou be
guilty of any fault I will be as pitiless to
thee as others have been to me-"
Before the sun went down Manoli had
collected herbs for salad, boiled the NAM
aliga, and dug over a corner of the gar
den. Then he went to a neighboring viii
laSe and left his mantle as gage, and so
procured some money with which he pur-
chased a goat and some maize. These he
brought back in triumph, and was rejoice
ed when he saw how delighted were the
children.
lila, however, only grumbled, for he was
always disconnected. and never even said
kind word to the young man, nor gave
him sufficient food TO eat. His only con-
ISOLATION was to recall his position about
the Emperor, the sumptuous table at the
palace and the dainty mOrsels which al
ways remained for mis- children. He would
relate how those who wished to be receiV-
ed by his Majesty sdluted him with polite
ness; and he would speak Of the ill-temper
of the Emperor, and of his Impotence with
the awkwardness OF any of his servants.
Manoli often felt disposed to smile, for lila
addressed him as beggar and vaga-
bond on every opportunity. THE Prince"
continued lila, one day was no better
than his father tie played all sorts of
mischievous tricks, and then took refuge
near his mother, who spoiled him. as all
mothers do spoil their Children''-and here
he glanced askance a his wife; "she was
put away by the Emperor because of the
wicked life she led and for her love of in
tercourse with low-born persons"
On hearing this Manoli bounded up as
if stung by a serpent.
You lie, you lie" cried he; "she was
saint on earth
And what do you know of her, pray?"
81 have seen her heal the sick-I have"
"Well, what more have you seen?"
Il have seen her worshipped by the poor
and suffering"
Anyhow, she never wished much good
of me, and her son once struck mel stll
feel the smart of that blow; / regret |
could not return it. and it is because of
him that l am reduced TO this sorry
plight"
In time Manoli came to be much liked
in the village market, where he went to
sell the vegetables winch be had grown
for HAS benefit.
In course of time he purchased a donkey
TO carry the ever-increasing loads: and
on one lucky day he brought home a COW.
for the chidrens benefit. His aid was
sought for by women by young girls. and
by children. The one would cry. "Manoi.
Manol my horse is lame"
Another: "Mapoh, my goat is ill; please
come and cure it,"
Another: "ManoH, my mother has some
fax. and she begs you to sell it for her.
because you viii make a better profit than
she would
He was in great quest with all, and yet
he found time TO minister TO their wants
lila was annoyed at this, and wished Ma
noli to serve him exclusively. He was
always afraid that his servant would be
making gifts at his expense, although Ma
non cultivated a small plot of ground for
shis own benefit; and IL was from This
source that he had the means 10 relieve
some of the very poor, who looked to him
for daily help. Like an angel from
Heaven he brought joy from every tbresh-