Arrayed in the velvet coat, on his head his broad hat adorned with a
large silver buckle, and in his hand a stout stick, Landolin came
through the door-way and said:
"Thoma, I'm going now; I want you and your mother to follow soon."
He started on, but waited a while at the gate, for the common people
there, who greeted him obsequiously, to pass by; he could not accompany
those who were driving to the fair only a poor little cow or a goat, or
perhaps going empty-handed to make some small purchases. The Galloping
Cooper greeted him as he hastened by. He was a gaunt man, by trade a
cooper, and received this name because he was always in a hurry. The
gamekeeper saluted by touching his hand to his cap. Landolin responded
graciously, for he had appointed the man to his present position when
he was bailiff. Cushion Kate, an old woman with sunburnt face and a red
kerchief tied round her head, who carried a number of gay-colored head
cushions, passed by without greeting; she was angry with Landolin, and
had no other way of expressing it. Not until a wealthy farmer like
himself came up and cried: "Come along, Landolin," did Landolin
condescend to nod, and join his equal.
Our story lies in that part of the country where great farms are still
found in the hands of peasants; these descend by inheritance from one
generation to another; and with them certain lines of social
demarcation which exclude from the farmer's circle those who are styled
the "common people;" even at the inn an unwritten law prescribes that
the farmers should sit at a separate table from the laborers and
mechanics.
The village consists of thirty-two farm-houses, that lie scattered
amidst their broad fields, and of a few small houses collected about
the church, the school-house, and the inn.
"Where are your women folks?" said Landolin's companion, after they had
walked silently side by side a good distance.
"They are coming after us; they are riding," answered Landolin.
The first speaker had indeed heard that something more important than
the sale of cattle was to take place at the fair in the city to-day;
but, as a discreet and self-controlled farmer, who allowed no one to
meddle in his affairs or to trouble him with impertinent questions, he
said no more.
The two walked a long distance, silent and supercilious, for each felt
that here were walking two men who together represented three hundred
acres of field and meadow, and nearly as many more of forest-land. At
length the neighbor, who was the younger, and besides was Burgomaster,
asked,
"Have you any old hay left?"
"No; sold it all."
"At a good price?"
"Yes. You too?"
"Of course."
They spoke to each other as unconcernedly as though neither had ever
thought of increasing his acres; but for all that the enchanted
dragon--Speculation--had flown over this peaceful valley, leaving dire
destruction in his track. Each of these men had lost large sums of
money by a recent bank failure, and in American railroad stocks; but
neither was willing to ask the other's sympathy, or even to acknowledge
his own loss; and each thought, "I can bear it better than he."
One said to himself, "I am younger than he is," and the other, "I am
older than he;" one, "How could the young man be so rash?" and the
other, "How could the old man have shown so little experience?" On only
one point did their thoughts agree; both intended to resist temptation
for the future, and to be contented with the slow and sure profits of
their fields.
"We are a little late," the younger farmer at last said.
"Oh," replied Landolin, standing still (he always stood still when he
spoke), "what I have to buy will wait for me. I only sent my cattle
that the fair might amount to something, as I hear that a great many
Alsace traders are coming."
The other glanced sideways at Landolin, as though he would have enjoyed
saying, "I know you wish the miller and his son to be there first, and
be waiting for you; but I'll not give you the satisfaction of knowing
that I understand your meanness."
Landolin's wagon with the two great horses now overtook them. In it
were seated mother and daughter, in holiday attire. Landolin's
companion bowed quickly many times, and murmured, as he glanced at
Thoma, "It is certainly true; she is the most beautiful girl in the
country." Thoma asked if the men did not wish to ride, for there was a
second seat in the "Schaarenbank," as they here call the _Char-a-banc_,
which has now taken the place of the old-fashioned coach. The men
declined, and the wagon rolled on.