. The hermit's Christmas . ^r mits face were not too long. Heglanced up, sidelong, at the her-mits solemn visage above , on the road by the sea,lies my horse with a broken mercy that he did not breakmy skull when he fell! I saw apath leading away through theforest toward the mountain, andas all paths on Athos do now butlead to hermits caves, twas but ashort moment before I turned mysteps hitherward. There was a sound of feetclambering up the rocky way. Avoice reached them, harsh and na-sal, uttering loud curses uponlands where Christian hospitalitydwelt in caves on mountain-
. The hermit's Christmas . ^r mits face were not too long. Heglanced up, sidelong, at the her-mits solemn visage above , on the road by the sea,lies my horse with a broken mercy that he did not breakmy skull when he fell! I saw apath leading away through theforest toward the mountain, andas all paths on Athos do now butlead to hermits caves, twas but ashort moment before I turned mysteps hitherward. There was a sound of feetclambering up the rocky way. Avoice reached them, harsh and na-sal, uttering loud curses uponlands where Christian hospitalitydwelt in caves on an unkempt head came intoview, followed by a body clothedin rags and patches. The hermit greeted the new-comer after the fashion of theEast: Peace to thee. The man paused to get hisbreath, and answered, Thou artset on high indeed, holy father. ^ ^ /i. The Hermits Christmas T c< Twere more friendly to set thycave by the roadside below. Make thy complaint to Godwho made the cave, thou unman-nerly rascal! the knight inter-rupted, jumping to his feet. Bythy costume thou art a thou and beg of richer men. Peace, peace! said the her-mit. All men are beggars atmy door—and all are guests—andall are welcome. Then thou shalt have a fulltable for thy Christmas driedpeas, father, for yonder comemore of thy guests. The hermit and the beggarlooked down where he the steep path toiled fourmen, one after the other. Thethree above stood waiting theirarrival. At length they knight checked them off inan undertone as the hermit gaveto each his kindly Peace tothee! Thou art a merchant, andwealthy, by thy girth—so ran /
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublishernewyo, bookyear1912
