IN A FOREST OF FRANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 108, 2 November 1929, Page 22

IN A FOREST OF FRANCE

■" Pierre lived with his father and mother in a wooden hut in the heart of a great forest in France. One day the boy was sent to gather cones for the oven fire. He wandered farther than usual, and came at last to a broad, grassy road. A horseman was riding along this road. He wore a plain brown coat, but there was a sword at his belt. ■„_.,_ ". V ; He drew, up his horse beside the boy, who was, gazing at.it in admiration., And no wonder, for it was a very beautiful animal. ■ ' "Would you like to ride a fine horse like this?" asked the stranger. "Oh, yes," replied Pierre eagerly. "Indeed I should^ The man looked at Pierre thoughtfully' for a few moments, then he asked, "Where do you live?" '. ; "With, my father and mother in the forest," replied Pierre. "My . father makes wooden shoes;" , '■ ' "Wbuld^ypu like to come 'with me and be my page^" asked the stranger, "and ride a white pony?" '. • "Indeed I should," cried Pierre. "If my father will consent," he added. " a "Then we will ask him," said the stranger, smiling. So Pierre caught hold of the horse's bridle and led the way to his home. ' ' . • P.ierre's father and mother looked alarmed when they saw the stranger. . , ; .,' , • ; . "Your son would like to be a page boy," he said. Pierre's mother wrung her hands. "Oh, Sire, we arc all three contented herein the peace of the forest." The stranger sighed. "That-is good to hear," he said. "Few of us know 'what.contentment means." ■;.■■■'■■ :::'-TheriPierre's father said, "Sire, no man make 9 better shoes than I do.. Pi<3rr: e..is\my only son. I hope to teach him my craft;" The stranger nodded. Then he beckoned to Pierre. • "My boy," he said, "you must learn to make good wooden shoes and be as contented as your parents." And he put in the child's hand a golden coin.". \ : . ■ . ■■ ... ■ Little Pierre asked his mother what it was called.' "This gold coin is called a louis,'J she replied; "and," she added, "the stranger's name is also Louis—King Louis, King of: France."