The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1906-05-05
Mayenne'S Melon.

In the year 1889 Madame Simon,
poor widow with a little son, was Nv
ing In the village of Trouville. nea
Deppe. Her whole wealth consisted
OF little cabin and a garden rount
about it. Her neighbors had broaC
meadows and great fields of grain;
they often made fun Of her and hel
garden produce. This latter consisted
chiefly Of melons, melons large and
fragrant indeed, but whose scanty sale
could not bring the widow much
money; and that season her neighbors
boosted to her more proudly than ever.
The Due de Mayennes large army
occupied the castle and citadel OF Ar
ques, very near the village and pro-
visions were in great demand.
France was divided at that time into
two camps: the League. led by the
Duo de Mayenne and the party headed
by Henry of Navarro, soon to become
Henry w.
Mayenne had left Paris to check If
possible the victorious march of Henry
who held all Normandy. A meeting
between the two armies must come
soon However, this troubled May
enne very little; he knew his numbers
were greatly superior to Nayarre's:
and, gourmand that he was he took
good cheer at his leisure behind the
strong walls of Argues.
AS he made himself comfortable
there, the fame of Dame Simons
melons came to his ears; and one day
a servant was sent out to order the
widow to send the. finest melon in her
garden for NJ. lie Dues breakfast the
next morning.
Accordingly, little Simon picked out
that morning a magnificent. sweet
smelling melon, put it carefully in
basket and started to carry it to the
castle.
He had walked some distance, when,
at the edge of the wood, he met three
merry fellows, shabbily dressed, but
wearing long swords that struck
against their legs.
Halt" they called out. The boy
stopped. "Well. my young man, where
are you going?" demanded one of
them.
Simon answered that he was carry
Ing melon to NJ. de Mayenne.
Here's a windfall." said the man. |
THE melon looks delicious; it will |
do me just as much good as it will
NJ. lie Due Besides it will be SO much
taken from the enemy The three
men were soldiers Of King Henry, who
had suddenly pitched his camp near
he castle in the hope Of taking May
snne by surprise.
Navarre's men had had poor living
or many day; they were determined
o carry off the melon, in spite of ST.
mons entreaties. The child begged
hem not to take away the melon;
u. de Mayenne was sure to give him
! great silver piece for it,
$50 much the worse for you." said
he soldier. "All's fair in war; my
goods belong to me-when |
an get hold Of them"
He was just going to snatch the bas-
;et from the child's hands when
bird person strobe through the crack
Ing underbrush. The newcomer wore
shabby doublet over his coat of mail;
little scarlet mantle hung from his
houlders; a grey hat with a white
lume in it covered his head
Hello, you rascally thieves," he
allied out in a broad Gascon accent.
Let the boy alone, say"
The frightened soldiers dared not |
love; they recognized their master.
he king was going round about the
amp thinking how Navarro and TO- |
90 men might contrive to beat May I
nne with $4,000.
Suddenly an idea came to the lead
rs mind; he knew Mayenne's weak
ess for good eating MY friends" ,
e said to the soldiers, this fruit is
cry tempting, but we must leave it {
n NJ lie Due; you and | are far too +
DOR to pay his prices, All the same !
2 shall pay dear for this melo,. You
i'll go back to camp at once" and the
en- saluted and withdrew, thankful
escape so easily. \
The widows boy began to thank the n
ng for his kindness, but Henry in
rrupted him. 'My little friend I
ant to make bargain with you. If !.
u will get to Argues an hour behind .
ne, you shall be my head gardener y