The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-29

by illness and lost In gloomy
ENSrSNI thought he dragged himself to
the fire without a word, paying
no attention TO his woman. who crouched
on a low bench, elbows propped against her
knees.
Evening shadows were lowering about the
beamed ceiling, darkened the corners and
gradually enveoped the room. On the
hot ashes sang and dubbed the coffee pot,
and on the hearth rested two thoughtful
cats, stock still, their eyes half closed.
Jack Frost without. Upon the mighty
dung-hill-the peasants pride-lay reddish
fog and night was spreading its cold mantel
over the vast valley. Only here and there
a faint light, looming up in the mist like
the spark of Bohemian glass in stage
crown. At intervals the wooden clatter of
sabots on the hard frozen ground could
be heard.
''Cormeau." called the wife with a shak-
ing voice, "Cormeau, / say
over pair of thin legs. his head resting
on the knees. he sat lost in calculations.
Hi, there, my man., repeated old
Josepha. In the increasing darkness her
voice sounded even shriller than usual.
Hi, Cormeau, hast lost all understanding
The turnips are frozen, 1 say.
At that moment there was knock at
houette of beggar. miserable, haggard
figure, standing out gaunt against the
sombre sky. As IL moved by common i'm
pulse, both the peasant and wife put their
heads forward simultaneously, resembling
birds of prey that pander by night only.
All their cruel suspicion was aroused.
For the love of Cod" whimpered the
voice at the door, only a crust Of
The peasants eyes glared hard as steel
under the knitted brows, and with the voice
of man who consigns children and limo
nothing. We never give TO idlers-on prin-
ciple," he added, still louder. as if to stifie
objection beforehand.
The wailing voice was heard again: You
"A
and won't let a Christian starve. Reflect
how cold it is. cold enough to freeze ones
bones walking the highways"
None of my business. Get out. 1 say,''
Il will be satisfied with little corner
in the stable. IL you have no food for me-
let me have a few hours warmth. 1t costs
you nothing"
And in the meantime you milk my cows,
drink myself sick; no. no." Cormeau
laughed derisively.
For Gods sake. help me-" The beggar's
voice had grown weak. He was crying.
Then Cormeau bawled forth:
Take thy ill-kent carcass off my prem
drive thee, good-for- nothing. II thou vert
not a scamp and sluggard. thou wouldst
have plenty TO eat and as good place to
sleep in as l. For a lazy-bones such as
thee, the weather is just right. 1t will
cause thee to stir thy limbs. Do not think
that l worked all my life to feed such as
thee or TO turn my stables into a lodging
house for pilferers. Out, say, out, Take
myself away before my ire boils over. Out
the cold from the open door is unbearable'
The beggar shrugged his shoulders. You
are doing wrong, master. The Lord heard
you. and there is recording angel above
he said impressively.
Cormeau SHE'D sabot at the retreating
figure, ''The scamp. lecturing me in my
was the door unbolted? Bolt IL now and
don't be all night about it. They may
knock till dooms day. before I open"
The woman obeyed. while Cormeau once
more settled back in the chair and watched
the fire eating his Goals. greedy beast.
the fire. and Goals three francs bushel.
After a while the woman spoke up a Sec
ond time: "Cormeau. hi, there, I tell thee
Answer when | speak TO thee When there
was reply. she advanced towards the fire
where her husband sat motionless and re-
peated: Answer, | say Thou are so
strange tonight. What has happenedY'
Two or three minutes passed, Cormeau
meditating, the woman staring hard. In
the end the farmer said abruptly: Nothing
is the matter. woman. let me have my
peace.
Yes. there is something the matter. thou
art Ill, man; see II In thy face. It's red.
No, it's almost violet"
his speech was thick and forced
And l tell thee thou art i'll. i'll all over.
Now thou art blue in the face"
"Rlue?" repeated Cormeau.
That's what said: Blue; all blue in the
We'll" said Cormeau. after another
pause, II confess | am not feeling extra
well. The ears are buzxing and my head Is
not right, not right at all. When l passed
across Remy's acre. a little while ago. felt
like tumbng over. but recovered almost
Immediately. This spell. too. will pass on
l shall take little walk, guess
He tried to rise. but could not. 1t seemed
a. II his body had suddenly turned to lead