The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-06-17
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UNCLE MAURICE.
Translated from the French OF Souvcse, BY Fannie S.
Worden.

Translated nom the Freseh Of soaveste oy FANNIE s.
To-day I remember uncle Maurice. Every.
time need to be assisted in well-doing, turn
nv thoughts toward him; see him with his
sweet expression, half smiling, half tender !
hear his voice always even and caressing as
breath of summer. His remembrance guards
nv life and lShtens it. He has been q saint
and a martyr here below. Others have shown
the way to heaven he has pointed out the paths
of earth.
Save the angels, charged with keeping watch
over unknown devotions and hidden virtues, who
remember uncle Maurice, perhaps only have
retain ed his name, and yet recollect his history
Well may write 1t, not for others but myself.
They say that at the sight of Apollo the body
Strengthens itself, and assumes more dignlhed
attitude. At the remembrance OF beautiful
life, the soul should y, elevated and ennobled.
A raw of sunlight brigltens the small table at
which / write. The breeze brings me the odor
of miguohette, and the swallow, fly back and
forth, with their Joyous cries outside my window.
The story of my uncle Maurice will have its
place right here among the light and perfumes.
/ 1t is with destnies as with the day dawns.
Some radiating thousand lights; others are
buried in sombre clouds. That of Iny uncle
Maurice was Of the latter class He came into
this world so puny, that 1t was believed he was
condemned TO die, but in spite of these predic.
lions, which could almost Danish hopes, he con-
tinued to live, suffering and deformed.
Deprived of all grace, he was equally deprived
of all enjoyment. Oppressed by the cause of his
feebleness, rallied at for his ugliness, the little
bunchback opened his arms TO the world in vain !;
the world passed by pointing at him the fingers
of scorn. ,t
However, his mother remained to him, and it
was to her that the child confded the aspirations
Of repulsed heart.
Happy in this refuge, he attained the age of
manhood. His education could have opened to
him all occupations he became a receiver of
tolls at one of the small toll gates which guerded
the entrance to his native city.
Enclosed in this habitation Of few feet, he
had no other amusement between his writing
end his calculations, than reading, and the visits
Of mis- mother On beautiful summer days she
brought her werk to the door of his cabin, and
eat there under the shade of some wild vines
which Maurice had planted. Although she was
client, her presence was pleasure to the haunch-
: tack. He heard the click of her long knitting
Needles; he perceived the gentle and sad profile
which reminded him of so many trials cour-
sgeously supported; he could from time to time,
rest q caressing band the bent shoulders and ex-
Change smile.
But this consolation to be taken from
HIM. The old neither fell i'll, and it was neces-
sarry, Ut tho end of some days, to renounce sll
Rtien which would leave him alone in the world
ABANDONED himself to SORROW without measure.
On his knees near tie bed of the dying woman,
H called her most tender Names clasped her III
bis arms % though he could hold the life IN her.
His mother forced herself to return his carresses
bat her hands were cold, her voice lalready de.
parted. She could only press her lips to her
sqp's forehead, sigh, and otoVe her eyes for ever.
Thoy wished to take Maurice away, but he re.
form
"Dead," cried he, "Desd, you VIII, never left
ne, you the emily one in the world who loved
mel Dead, you, my mother! What then re-.
mains to me here below ?"
A faint voice roplied-"God.'
Maurice rose terrified. WIS it the last breath
oeAis dead mother, or his own conscience which
had replied He did not try to know: but he
comprehended the response and accepted it.
1t waa then that became acquainted with
Mm went TO see him frequently ut HIS little
toll house. He took part in my childish sports !;
told me his most beautiful stories; and permit
ted me to pick his flowers. Deprived Of all
Rraces which attract, he WAS indulgent to those
who came to him. Without Offering himself he
was always ready to welcome. Abandoned, dis.
Aainea, he submitted to all with gentle pa
thence; and on the cross of his life, where he ~
iasulted by his toVmentors he replied like Christ
Gather, forgive them, they know not what
they do"
No other workman showed 80 much probity,
zeal and intelligence but those who would have
valued his services were repulsed BY his deform.
ity. Deprived Of protectors he saw all his rights
daregsrded. Others, whose appearance WAS
moro agreeable, were preferred to him, and in
leaving to him the humble employment by which
he lived his employers seemed to confer favor,
and to require his thanks
he lived in an old house in the faubourx,
where some workmen lodged, a. poor as he, but
lsss abandoned. Only one of his neighbors lived
Without family, in small garrett, into which tho
wiAd and rain penetrated.
This was Il young girl, pale and silent; with
out beauty. and whose only recommendation was
her owA misery.
She was never known 70 address a word to any
woman NO song enlightened her garrett Eu.
vsloped in gloomy dependency, as in a sort Of
shrOud, she worked without ardor aad without
recreation. Her an.uor touched Maurice. He
tried to sps,k to her She replied VITA gentle.
ness, but briefly. 1t was plain that her silence
and her solitude were de.rer to her than the
vstchfui triendliuess OF the little hunckback.
He saw this and became dumb.
Blu. Toinrt,es needle scarcely supported her
Soon there Wa. no wprk, and she was idle
Maurice learned that tie young girl needed
everything, and that the tradesmen refused to
givs4her credit lie went to them Immediately,
anf3agreed to pay them secretly for whatever
they gave 20 Toinette.
Things went on thus for several months. The
scarcity of work continued for the young seam.
stress, who was now quite frightened at the
debts she had contracted with the tradesmen
She tried to explain to them, and in this expla.