APPROACHING THE MOUNTAINS. 17 



of performing his piece of work quite alone, I left him 

 to follow at his leisure. 



I am always glad to employ a child when circum- 

 stances make it possible ; first, because I like children's 

 company and to hear their talk, and also because I wish 

 that they should know how comely a thing it is to be 

 employed usefully, and how sweet the earnings of one's 

 own labour are. I have a habit, when walking, of scat- 

 tering crumbs for the birds, who are almost sure to find 

 them; and just so, I fancy, a chance incentive to indus- 

 try, or a little reward for some kindly meant attention, 

 may not be wholly lost, but, being remembered long af- 

 terwards, may incite to a love of occupation, and encou- 

 rage to acts of friendliness and to good behaviour. Most 

 children are delighted to be employed, and the consci- 

 ousness that they are of use makes them quite elate : it is 

 the germ of a feeling which, if properly nurtured, ripens 

 into self-respect. 



Having made my arrangements at the village inn 

 overlooking the lake, I went to the forester's house to 

 present my credentials. Ha ! there are the antlers over 

 the gable, denoting who is the inmate. Eight — ten — 

 twelve ! a good stag must he have been that once bore 

 them. It always gives me pleasure to see this trophy 

 over the doorway or on the pointed roof, for it is a sign 

 of freemasonry, and tells me that, in case of need, there 

 is a comrade near. The letter presented, and my story 

 told, I heard exactly what I was prepared for. " Things 

 look very bad just now, Sir ; I fear there is not much to 

 be done. The chamois have no peace — the peasants are 

 always out in the mountains, and what they do not shoot 

 they scare away. However, if I can oblige you, I shall 

 be very happy to do so. Til speak to the under-keeper, 

 and hear if he has seen any chamois lately." 



c 



