Year: 1878

MISERY'S PEAR TREE.
Nm Ancient Legend Of FLANDERS.


Once upon a time there lived in the village
of Nicu, on the banks of the Scheldt, n good
woman called Misery. who went about beg
ging from door to door. In those days the
village of Nicq was little better than II ham
let. 1t lay on the edge of IA marsh, and there
were only few miserable farms covered
with rushes to be seen. Misery dwelt apart
in a lonely hut plastered with clay, where
her sole companion was her dog, Faro, and
her worldly goods We're stan and scrip,
which too often she brought back almost
empty TO tell the truth, however, she had
besides. in a little enclosure behind her hoyel,
II tree-a single one. This tree was a pear
tree. 50 beautiful that its like was never seen
since the famous apple tree in the garden of
Eden The only delight that Misery expert
enced in this world was TO eat the fruit Of her
garden-that is, Of her pear tree.


Unhappily, the little boys of the village
came to rob her enclosure Every day Mis-
cry started forth with Faro to beg but in
the autumn Faro remained at home to guard
the pears, aud it was heart-breaking to both,
for the poor woman and poor dog loved each
other with great affection.


Now there came winter in which for two
whole months it hailed fit 10 break the very
stones Then there fell such a snow that the
wolves left the woods and came into peoples
houses II was terrible time for the whole
country, and Misery and Faro suffered more
than the rest. One evening when the wind
howled and the snow piled up in great drifts,
the two uufortunates We're nesting close to
keep each other warm before the dying EN-
bers on the hearth when knock was heard
a. luru NAh Ng
came near the cabin, Faro barked with rage,
thinking that it was the little marauders.
This evening on the contrary, lac began to
whmper gently and to wag his head rs n
mark of Joy,


For the love of God" cried pleading
voice, 'open your door to poor man who
is perishing of cold and hunger
Pull the latch string answered Misery.
1T shall never be said that in such time as
this l would keep one of the dear Lords
| creatures outside


The stranger entered; he seemed even old
er and more miserable than Misery, and had
no other covering than Il blue frock all in tat
| tiers.


sit you down, my good map,' said Mis-
| cry. You have come to a very poor place,
| but have still something left to warm you
! up with.


She put her last stick ON the fire aud gave
the old man pear and three morsels of
! bread which was all she had left. Very
soon the flame leaped up and the old man ate
with a hearty appetite Now, while lie ate,
| Faro licked his feet.


! When her guest had finished, Misery wrap
| ped her old coyerlet of fustian around him
and forced him to lie down upon her cot,
while for herself, she settled herself to sleeI
with her head resting on her stool


In the morning. Misery was the first to
awake.


Il have nothing left" she said to herself,
'and my guest will go hungry. Let us see il
there is no way to 30 and beg something il
the village


She put her head out of the door the snow
had ceased to fall, and the sun shone rs il i
were Il spring day, She turned back to get hei
staff and saw the stranger risen and ready Il
leave.


What" said she, ''are you going al
ready =


My mission is fulfilled" replied the un
known, and have to go 10 give an accoun
to my master. ! am not what | seem | an
Saint Wanon, the patron of the parish o
Conde and | have been sent by the GooC
Father to see how my faithful ones practic
charity, which is the first of the Christian
virtues l have knocked at the doors of tn
lord and the farmers of Yicq; have knocked
ut the doors of the burgomaster and burgher
of Conde the lord and the farmers of Nicq
the burgomaster and the burghers of COnd
have let me freeze on their thresholds. Tho
alone hast had pity upon me, and thou art n
wretched as l. God will reward thee max
a wish and it shall come to pass.


Misery crossed herself and fell on he
knees.


Great Saint Wanon, said she, Il no long
er marvel that Faro licked your feet, but it i
! fne ri tlat / do charity Resides
have need of nothing"


Thou art too destitute of everything t.
have no wants speak, what wilt thou have !:


Misery kept silent


Wilt thou have n beautiful farm, with tn
granary full of wheat. the woOd-house full o
wood, the cupboard full of bready Wilt tho
haze honors! Wilt thou be duchess! vii
thou be IA queen"


Misery shook her head.


"A saint who has any self respect Ough
not TO be under any obligation to poo
woman" returned Saint Wanon, with an nj
of pique.


Speak, or shall think thou refusest m
from pride"


Since you insist upon it, great Saint Wa
non, l will obey. l have there in my garde
pear tree which gives me the most beauti
ful pears unfortunately the young rogues il
the village come to rob me of them and an
forced 10 leave poor Faro at home to noun
guard Grant that whoever climbs my pea
tree may not come down without my permi
sion"


amen :" replied Saint Wanon, smiling q
her simplicity, aud after having given he
his blessing he set out upon his journey.
/ The blessing of Saint Wanon brought goo
luck TO Misery, aud from that time forth sh
never returned home with an empty sacl
Spring followed winter, summer, spring an
= autumn, summer. The little boys, seein


Misery go oil with Faro, climbed up the pea


tree aud stuffed their pockets; but when the
undertook to come down they found the
were caught fast in a trap.


Misery, on her return, beheld them perche
, up in the tree, left them there good while
Z and when in the kindness of her heart sh
let them go, set Faro barking at their heel
! They did not dare to come again the vi


layers themselves avoided passing the Ell


chapted tree, and Misery and Faro lived d
, happily MS one can live here below.
1 Toward the end of the autumn Misery Wa
Y enjoying herself in her garden in the SUI
4 when she heard voice crying, 'Misery
1 Misery Misery" This voice was 80 mourn
! full that the good woman began to tremble