Zire Buzette (Part II)

In connection with last week's post:

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Zire's land and his little house was surrounded by three brothers properties, Brothers Blairaux. They were said to be the richest people in the village. One was mayor, the other one farmer and the last one was treasurer or a charity organization. All three were strong fellows, with powerful limbs. They looked as they were made to live for hundred years. They owned about a hundred acres of land, and many houses in the village. Yet, they were buying a house from here, a piece of land from there and tried to increase their amount of lands properties. In order to connect all their lands and make the estate, they had to buy Zire's house and land. "He won't last long" brothers said to themselves. "We shall have it for nothing after his death".
But their wish finally become stronger than their reason; they wanted to have the estate at once and as soon as possible. For, after his death his heirs might make problem in dealing with them. They used a lot of tricks, but after all, they started negotiations with Zire. Their plans were of no use; he would not sell his land and house. Zire shook his head with his pale face while coughing said: You can ask me anything else, sirs: but do not ask me to leave the house which i owned for many years and even before me my grandfathers lived here. You know that I have no long to live, so be patient, I will not go anywhere else for the short time that I have for living. I will die in the house that I was born and where all my parents died.
Brothers had no strong reason to say to Zire, he looked right. But still brothers wanted the land and his house. They started to frighten him with threats. They stopped dealing with him, and the mayor engaged another musician for the village parties. Poor Zire felt hurt by this blow. But, all the villagers took his part and refused to go to the village dance. They were angry with the mayor. "Treat a poor fellow in such a way, when he has not long to live! You must be heartless!"
When Brothers Blairaux found them in danger, they made peace with Zire and increased their offer for Zire, yet Zire refused. "I want to die in my father's house" he said.
"Sell it to us and you shall keep the use of it during your life-time," said the treasurer of the charity organization, who thought that Zire would not last long. The idea pleased the plasterer; they discussed it a lot and finally they agreed on the deal. Based on the deal, Zire was to retain the use of the house until his death, and the Blairaux would have it after his death. Another requirement of the deal was that the Brothers must pay Zire rent while he lived, but only two or three times at most , for Zire would not last long. All villagers said that the Brothers are fine foxes. "They have bought Zire's place cheaply; for he won't last long."
Every year Zire got his rent, and each time the Blairaux thought they had paid for the last time.
The mayor died without having seen the orchard joined to his land. The two brothers paid the proper amount next time with sad faces. After the mayor, the farmer died, and Zire who had no long to live, continued coughing and drawing his rent. Zire had almost received two or three times the value of his field, but the people said that this Blairaux was a lucky fellow.
The last brother had to pay the rent for Zire and still desire to have the land. Zire's death was a big wish of him. Everytime he had to pay the rent to Zire said: Ah! There you are! Are you never going to die?
"Mr. Blairaux, how can you say that to a poor man who has no long to live?" answered Zire, coughing.
Zire buried the third Blairaux and then died himself, over a hundred years of old. For over three-quarters of a century he had not long to live.

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