Year: 1860

/


widow, who had two sons, each as beau


tiful as the sunshine, and as rich as they


could desire. Though Mylio, the eldest


was but sixteen. Tonyk was two year,
younger They had studied SO hard


that there was scarcely anything more
for them to learn at home; and their
mother, therefore, resolved to send them
to their uncle, who lived in distan,
province, in order that they might see
the world, as well as secure portion OF
their uncle's inheritance before he died
Accordingly, one day she furnished each
of them with new hat, pair of shoes
with silver buckles, purple cloth cloak,
purse full of money, and a horse; and
then giving them her blessing, sent them
off to seek their uncle.


The brothers were so wonderfully alike
in person that it was difficult to distin-
guish one from the other by sight, but
they differed greatly from each other in
character. Tonyk was pious and charit-
able, always ready to help the poor, and
as forgiving as he was ailectionate. He
could no more keep money in his hand,
than he could anger in his heart. Mylio,
on the contrary, never gave anybody
more than their just due, and, indeed, sell
dom did that without grumbling and
chaffering. If any one offended him, he
was sure to be revenged if he could, and
he was as selfish as he was miserly and
vindictive. But these differences had
not yet showed themselves so strongly as
to put the brothers at variance and they
set out upon their journey in fine spirits,
delighted, as young folks always are, at
the thought of seeing strange countries.


The horses their mother had given
them were so swift, that in a very few
days they found themselves entering upon
a region which produced trees quite un-
known to them, and grain such as they
had never before seen. AS they turned
into by-road, they saw an old woman
sitting under one of those rude crosses
which are so frequent in Brittany. She
sat with her apron over her face, rocking
herself backward and forward, and Sob
bing as if her heart would break. Tonyk
stopped his horse to inquire into the
cause of her distress, AMI when she told
him she had just buried her only son, who
had been the support of her old age, the
tears stood in Tonyk's eyes. But Mylio,
who was waiting q few PAGES off, cried
out in derision


"Don't be fool enough to listen to the
first wilmer you meet; the old woman
only wants to cry purses out of the pock-
cts of travellers"


Hush, brother" answered Tonyk;
''your cruel words make her weep more
bitterly. Don't you see she is old and
gray, like our dear mother" Then lean
ing over his horses neck, and holding
out his purse, he continued "Take this,
my good woman; l can do nothing ex-
cept to relieve your wants God only can
console you in your alfliction."


The woman took the purse with
thousand thanks, and, as she pressed her
withered lips to the young mans hand,
she said


my good youth, since yon have en-
riched me now for life, you will not cer-
tainly refuse to receive gift from me in
return. Within this walnut is wasp
with diamond sting. Take it and keep
it against the time of need"


Tonyk took the nut, and, thanking the
old woman, as a gentleman should, went
on his way.


The travellers soon arrived on the bor-
ders of forest, where they saw half
naked child, digging into the hollow
trees, and moaning melancholy song,
that sounded more sad than funeral
hymn. Sometimes he would pause in his
work and rub his poor little frozen hands
together, while the loud chattcring of his
teeth almost prevented them from hear
ing the mournful words he was chanting.
The COW has her STALL and the sheep has his fold
But for me there's no shelter I'm cold OIL Tn cold |


Tonyk was ready to cry at the sight
of so much suffering at so tender an age,
and he said to his brother:


"Oh, Mylio, is it not terrible to see
how that poor caild is suffering from this
driving wind!"


He must be very tender, then"
answered Mylio; "for my part, l don't
find it so very cold"


"Becausc you are protected by good |
frieze jacket, and over that cloth coat,
and over that again your purple cloak;
but the boy is almost naked"


"Oh, he is used to it; he is only poor
peasant"


can't bear to see him shiver," said
Tonyk. So calling the little fellow to
him, he asked what he was doing in the
woods.


/ am seeking the beautiful dragon
flies, which sleep in the hollow trees"
answered the boy.


And what do you mean to do with
them, when you get them?" asked Tonyk.


"Whcn l get enough, l will sell them
in the village, and buy coat, to keep me
warm when the sun does not shine"


allow many have you already found?"


"Only one" said the child, holding up,
as he spoke, beautiful insect, with wings
of blue and gold.


avery well-I will buy that one"
said Tonyk, throwing his fine purple |
cloak around the trembling boy "Wrap
your frozen limbs in this warm cloth, and
when you say your prayers tonight,
thank Heaven for having sent us to your
aid"


The brothers continued their journey
ocJ xho,,,l, u,onvL AZ Ervt falt The .rant