The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-01-18

amount to nearly $4,000, are to be pre-
scented either to ex-President or Mrs. Da-
Wis. 1lMoS.
Madaline, the Little French Singer.
BY II. H. sTAurFER.
A little girl sat in a garden in Paris.
Her hands were folded idly in her lap.
Her hair shone like gold in the sunlight.
Her dress was plain and neat, while a
small diamond pin, which held the fine
cambria handkerchief carelessly thrown
around her neck to protect it from the
morning air, revealed that her position in
life was one Of ease and aiiluence.
1t was in October. A few flowers yet
bloomed among the borders Of lockwood; q
few lunches of grapes purpled out of
reach on the trellises; while the falling
leaves were twirled here and there by the
breeze. The little girl watched a whirling
leaf for awhile, then patted the head OF
the e-dog, that sat beside her looking
wistfully into her face-a grufi, grim, faith
full sentinel, in his shaggy coat.
"Well, old Carlo" she said, still patting
him, chow do you do, anyhO,c? / want
somebody to talk TO. There is nobody at
the house this morning but old Mother
Connaut, and she is as grum as an ogress
and as crabid as griffin. She won't talk,
nor romp, nor nothing. She is good old
soul, though, must say. Don't you think
so, Carlo Many dainty bit she has set
aside for you-at least a dog would call
such bits dainty. But ! forget. Connaut
will not talk, and you canaOt-thoush /
believe that you would if you could"
Carlo rubbed his nose atfectionately
against the little girls knees, and wagged
his tail, scattering the pebbles in the walk.
The little girl took up few of the peb-
bles, and while she tossed them about IN
her hands, she sang verse OF song. Oh,
IL was delicious. like the trill Of bird
clear, distinct, rapturous.
Just then man jumped over low place
in the garden wall, and came toward the
little singer. The dog growled threaten
iDgly.
"Be quiet, Carlo" said she. "Down
with you"
The intruder was little old man, with
gold spectacleS, and massive gold watch
chain. His face was full, kind, genial. His
broad chin was smoothly shaven, his eyes
twinkled merrily, and nc had an odd trick
of Struggling up his shoulders.
"Good morning, Miss" said the old
gentleman.
The little girl did not know what to say
SO she nodded pleasantly.
You will excuse me-" said he.
"What for ?" asked she.
'For jumping over the wall"
"Oi Other folks do come in through
the gate, since think of it. That is what
gates are for" said the little girl.
~ %
velli," said the old man, a little pompously.
"And mine is Madaline," said she. ~
live here"
$50 / thought" said the professor,
taking pinch OF snuff. "Perhaps you do
not know me. / am muSician-a great
yiolinist-a composer. l make people
laugh and cry. They risk sufocation to
hear me they crowd; they cry bravo
and encore / don't mind them. | draw
my bow, play my arias, and grow rich
very rich. ! am trying to talk now so
that you can understand me. heard you
sing. Your voice is sweet and clear; it
leaps the octaycs; it cuts the air like
a lark in the morning. l have just COM
posed precious little norceau. You shall
learn it. You shall sing it at the theatre"
"No, / shall not" said Madaline
bluntly.
al will give you one hundred francs"
"No."
give hundred"
"No."
"Five hundred francs every time you
siDgi it."
0sPlease excuse me-" said Madalinc.
"Why will you not sing it -
sob, might consent to sing il, but not
in the theatre. That is wicked place. IL
is wrong to be seen there. Ii is no place
for little girls"
"Well, you may be right, Madaline,"
and the professor took another pinch of
snuff and crammed the box into his pocket
in manner which betrayed that he was
slightly vexed.
aYou may be right, say. But come TO
my house and learn the aria, anyhow.
Here is my card" :,
Madaline took the card and the old gen.
tleman left, again jumping over the wall.
She started for the house, with the dog at
her heels. At the gate she was met by
boy. His clothing, though neat, was
thrcadbare. His eyes were clear and
honest, and his forehead high and broad.
lie had erutch in one hand, and leaned
upon another.
"Good morning, Madalne," he said.
" How do you do, Lionel Z" she answered
briskly.
"Not very well. That fall through the
hatchway has crippled me for life. What
am to do now |"
I" Yes, that is it. What arc you to do
nowf / cannot tell"
"If Icould so to college--to LEco,e de
Droh"
"You would become great man, chr"
and Madaline's eyes shone as she spoke.
Perhaps not said Lionel, blushing.
Sand why not go?"
"Ah why not That YOU should ask!"
81 understand you. You have not the
means. Well, how much will it take?"
ITO graduate"
Well, how much will it take :"
Z" have never asked. A great sum,
Madaline--more than / can ever raise.
Let 10 not talk about it. Itmakes me feel
sad"
Eadalipa shaded her eyes with her hands