Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-05-26
THE HERON.
(EN Horace Nalhcl)


Worn out by the catics of u winter sea-
son spout entirely at Paris. and further
moro overcome by a low fever that under
mined his strength and had compelled him
to keep to his bed for two weeks. the
young and already basc viscount Rao,l
de palomho. ylcldinG to tho advice of his
doctor, decided to take complete rest
away from Paris and its pleasures and
try the benefits of simple country living
Remembering with gratitude that he had
a kind and devoted aunt in the country
the viScouni hastily packed his trunks
and after telcgraphine Nine. dc Bicneu-
chair, he departed on the express.
Ills charming aunt. who adured her "ras
cal of a nephew was delighted at his I'M
expected arrival and after preparing tho
finest room in her chateau for his couvcn-
fence. she went herself to meet him at
the little station.
Tho first few days went swiftly and
Raoul certainly had no time to feel bored
| or woaricd. Tho weather WAS delightful,
his aunt 5 horses were perfect for riding
and the country was beautiful
litIt a thorough "houlovardior' like the
viScouut, was not ono to remain long con
tented with nero bcautics of horse flesh
| and scenery and soon Raoul demanded
something new to amuse himself
| Being considerable Of an epicuro, the
young man spent his leisure time arraug-
/ 10
for which his TASTES We're very particularly.
The cook of the chateau was ordered to
plIr" himself entirely At tho ViScuunt' $
! disposal and to take no orders except from
him. The poor man, accuSt Omcd to a quiet
| liberty and ease Of spirit grow pcrccptihlv
| thinner from day to day as he tortured
himself over dishes commanded by his
master, dishes which he had never even
heard of and which he did not know how
| to prepare.
one evening. after dnnor. Raoul sent
for the cook and said:
THE gamo-kccpcr told me that Cor-
! tain numbor of horons are nesting in tho
| pond at the further end of the park. [
wish You To make arrangements with him
| to catch ana kill one tomorrow for / alb
solutelv must have heron for my dinner
tomorrow night. DO YOU understand?
| 1h"n You may 60
The unfortunate cook was too astouisli-
ed to utter word and withdrew hastily
| t" make arrangements with tho game
| keeper.
The mkt morning. according to the Wis
"ountS'S orders. the heron was killed.
pluckcd and prepared for cooking and I'm
ally. near the hour for dinner was placed
| before q splendid fire 10 roast.
just then the cook, who had novor cat
on q heron in his life, WI seized with an
irrosI-tibl" desire to ta@t, the orj~plv
| Drowned hlrd.smukiUg hot upon its platter
Iut how should he arrange it; What #
Ithc ViScOuut should eat it all up DE id. Il e.
| lY. there was nothing else to do and tine
man. until thcu the most faithful and iU-
lnlpcachahlo of cooks dominated 10y ii
lousiug STRONGER than ms Will. armed HIM
self with Il sharp knife and doli,atoly re-
moved one of tho bird legs Th,u giving
it II final turn OF two, he sent it to the
diuirgroom, shruSginc his shoulders as
he did So. with a murmur, "hc will never
| notice il in the world.
But slas' ii happened that. that even
ing. the VlScoUmt WAS huGiicr than ever.
and finding the heron greatly to his taste.
he ate one leg and desired the other.
| Imagine if You can hi. astonishmcnt at
finding the second leg did not exist Raoul
promptly sent for the cook and demanded
an explanation.
The unhappy Nate hiding his fears be-
meath Il most innocent and open couuten-
ancc replied amiably:
'But docs not Monsieur tho Viscount
know that according to tho laws of ma
turc, tho heron has but one leg
And as Raoul stared ut him, not knowing
whether to laugh or bo angry. Nate added
uuocontIN:
III Monsieur the viscount docs not be-
ljcVo mo. he has only Ia come with mo t.
the pond tomorrow morning. He will sool
81" that ! speak tho truth"
"Oh' CONT. that is really too much, '
cried ituoul, EVERY well, rascal, | will 70
with You tomorrow morning. We sha!
See, iudCcu,"
The next morning. at daybrcah Rao,I
left the castle and made his way Ia the
pond. where the cook, after a Sloeplcs,
night as the result OF his greedincss, va.
awaiting him.
The horous We're thore and each one, nat
ulallN. WAS resting comfortably ON ON,
leg. OVorinycd, Natols native assur
anco came back to him and he turned ii
triumph to the young man,
i %