Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-01-19

place"
Then you are satisfied with me,
Master Blaudin?"
Indeed | am, my boy and assure
you that up at the house they are all
sorry to see you go away"
Bernard hesitated for = moment
then said bravely.
I'm any case you will forgive my
boldness IN speaking. am going
away 70" three years"
a. 49,. . |, too, am very sorry to go
away Master Blaudin, and l should
feel better if l could have some hope
to take with me-"
what hope?" demanded the far
mer in a surprised tone, "Your place
here will be waiting for you whenever
you return. have already promised
you that"
But it is something more than
that l want"
He paused for moment then west
on steadily:
From my childhood have grown
up with your daughter, Tiennette, we
played together love her with all
my heart, and l know / am not in.
diffe- ent to her and now / wish to
ask, it, on my return, l."
you want to marry Tiennette.
you!" cried M Blaudin violently, his
face turning crimson. you, an OK.
driver without a penny to your name!"
"An ox-driver is worth a fortune
in this country" replied the young
man Pnd then added proudly: besides
you have just told me that you fwere
perfectly satisfied with my work. |
am poor, it is true, but | shall not be
so always for | have studied and l
mean to get ahead"
Enough, said the farmer drily.
"You are good ox-driver and an in.
telligent workman, but, will not
give you my daughter in marriage.
Why, do you suppose that |, whose
parents have lived here for centuries,
would give my daughter to a fellow
who was picked up out OF the streets
OF Paris, a founding! Go, but il you
come back with any such ideas in your
head, you will find there is no room
for you here!"
Bernard stood quietly until the far.
mer had finished but q CLEAN of an.
ger burned in his dark eyes. Then
without a word, he turned and started
across the fields to the house.
Master Blaudin took the empty
place at the plough AS he turned
at the end Of the long furrow, he saw
Bernard standing in the courtyard,
bidding goodbye TO a group OF people
standing about him. At the sight OF
his daughter, the farmers anger rose
again but presently he saw the young
man turn and stride down the road
singing the old song:
"The king sat upon his throne,
Regarding his daughter wrathfully,
Give up this man, my child he cried
OF silver and gold he has not a
penny"
The voice died away In the distance
and the farmer breathed more easily.
With the departure Of his ox.driver,
however good fortune ceased TO smile
upon Master Blaudin and troubles
came thick and fast.
His two sons declared that they
had had enough of farming to suit
them and one fine day departed for
Paris in spite OF all their fathers
entreaties. 1t wounded the old far.
mer's pride, he suffered cruelty at the
thought that with him the long race
OF farmers who had cultivated the
nelds OF Mai Comte for centuries,
would die out. A cloud OF melan.
choly seemed TO settle upon him, the
harvest diminished under the careless
work Of the hired laborers, the debts
ate up all his capital and he was
forced to borrow; ruin, slowly and in.
evitably, was staring him in the face.
Five years passed. The suffers that
riennettes charms and rich dowry
had attracted, had all disappeared, |
but still the young girl continued 10 |
smile gently her eyes fixed far away
At last ruin took complete posses
sion OF them, they were Obliged TO
sell their house and lands at auction.
Deserted by his two sons and utterly
discouraged. Master Blaudin had
cached the end Of his rope and he
lad resolved to leave the country.
On the day OF the sale he departed
With his wife and daughter, unwilling
o watch the dispersion of all the OBJ
ects that were so dear to him.
AS soon as they had gone. a crowd
4 interested buyers filled the court.