The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-03-13

Mess7s Editors Last week l recounted an
anecdote and legend illustrating the faith of
the Provencal peasantry In latter day miracles.
In the same connection, 1 wish to relate another
story to tell how, according to a popular belief
one of these same peasants became famous
saint.
One day, in Paradise, the good God seemed
careworn and pensive. so runs the legend. The
infant Jesus asked:
"What is the matter, Father? '
Matter enough" responded the Bon Dieu. II
am forever pestered.by one or another Of those
incorrigible Provencals Just take look down
therer'
"Where ?" asked Jesus.
"There in the Rhone valley. straight beyond
my finger. a little village surrounded by pop
lars. with a blacksmith shop in the public square,
fine. big blacksmith shop
II see, see."
''Well, my Son, in that shop is a man / would
have liked to save. His name is Maitre Eloi, q
brave and solid gaillard, faithful observer of my
commandments. charitable toward the poor,
honest with his clients, friendly with all the
| world, swinging his hammer from morning to
night without uttering blasphemous or evil
| word. Alas, thought he was worthy to become
saint"
Anu WudL - " pEcNcub dShcu jesus.
His pride, my child. Because he happens to
be an excellent workman. Eloi boasts that his
equal does not exist on earth, and presumption
is perdition."
'Seigneur Perez suggested Jesus, "give me
leave to descend for day or two maybe can
convert him."
"Go ahead and try, my Son. replied the Bon
Dieu. doubtfully, very doubtfully, for He knew
His Provencals.
Next morning little apprentice stood, with
cap in hand, upon the threshold of Maitre Eloi's
shop. Timidy he advanced through the wide
open doorway, above which hung a sign-board
bearing the inscription:
ELoI. BLACKSMITH,
MASTER OF ALL THE MASTERS.
GOOD morning, master, am in search OF
work perhaps you can employ me for day or
twoS"
mot just now, little one" responded Eloi.
Sadly the little apprentice went his way. and
in the public square encountered group of
peasants, to whom he said, with quivering lips
and the suspicion of drop in his bright,
boyish eyes:
"How could they have the heart to refuse me
work in such prosperous. busy shopr
"Stop moment my child,' called one of the
neighbors, what did you say when you entered
Maitre Eloi's shop2"
81 said, Good morning, MASTER"
''Oh. that was the trouble. You should have
said, Master of all the Masters. See how it is
written above his door,"
So the little apprentice retraced his steps.
GOOD morning, Master of all the Masters
perhaps you have need of an extra workman 2"
ENTER. enter, little one. we will try to find
something for you to do, but, once for all. UNDER
stand that my title is Master of all the Masters.
am not boaster, but it is nevertheless fact
that France does not. hold another blacksmith
who can forge horseshoe in two chaudes 1.-TWO
heatings.'D
"Why in my country we do it easily in one
chaude," responded the apprentice.
I'm one claude Hush, gamin, the thing is
impossible. We do not relish such pleasantly
here"
Pardon. Master of all the Masters, 1 will show
you"
| So saying, the little apprentice took strip of
iron laid it on the Goals, waited until it was red
hot, red and incandescent, then grasped it in His
naked hands, laid it on the anvil, raised His ham,
mer and, cling, clang, in the twinkling of an eye
the shoe was finished.
| At the same instant cavilier, superbly
mounted cavilier, galloped into the village and
drew rein before Maitre Eloi's door. Now the
| cavilier was Saint Martin.
my horse has dropped two Shoes" said he,
fare you a first-class workman? l am in
| hurry"
| Maitre Eloi, blinded by his pride, responded:
Monsieur, the ablest blacksmith of all France,
stands before you. Little one, come hold the
horses foot
Hold the foot ?" exclaimed the apprentice in
a surprised tone. Tin my country that is not
necessary"
Indeed. that is too droll And pray how can
one shape the hoof or fit the shoe without hold
ing the horses foot?r
Nothing is simpler, Master of all the Mas
ters."
Selling a Ratchet the little apprentice ap-
preached the horse, cut of foot, carried 1t into
the shop, fastened it in wise, shaped the hoof,
applied the shoe which He had just forged, and
drove the nails home, one by one. When He
replaced the foot the wound healed as if by
magic. and an instant afterward the steed was
proudly prancing around the square.
The eyes of the bystanders opened wide as
saucers and Maitre Eloi began to sweat.
"Ho ~ said he at length, "Pardi, If wanted to
1 could do the same trick
Ratchet in hand, he drew near the horse and
chopped off another foot, bleeding. quivering
foot, which he carried into the shop and fastened
in wise, just as the little apprentice had done.
Smili and at his leisure. he shaped the hoof.
fitted shoe snugly in place and with the ex-
perel eed hand of master workman drove the
nails home, one by one.
Then and there was the hitch it was neces-
sary to restore the foot. He applied it care
fully, as best he could, to the mutilated stump,
but as soon as he withdrew his hand the foot
tumbled to earth in puddle of blood.
Then great light broke upon the naughty
blacksmith, his proud spirit was at last subdued
and broken, and he turned to throw himself
PROSTATE at the feet of the little apprentice, but
the child had vanished, the cavilier had vanish
ed, the horse had vanished, the bystanders had
vanished, and Maitre Eoi stood alone before his
doorway; stood alone, with bowed head, stood
alone in the sunshine, while tears streamed from
his eyes. He had learned that there is but one
Master of all the Masters, and with an humble
prayer upon his lips he cast aside his leather
apron, closed his shop forever, and became
monk of Montmajour. SEABRooK.