Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1872-10-10
THE LITTLE sAyCYARD.

1t was the twelfth night after Christ
mas-an evening celebrated in England,
France and Germany by fetes and en-
tertainmeLts, in which the. children
bear prominent part.
must ask the reader to accompany
me to an elegant mansion in the aristo-
cratic Boulevard of MaIesherbes, in the
city of Paris. 1t was easy to see that
sonlething was going on inside, for it
was brilliantly illuminated, and from
time to time elegantly.dressed figures
were indistinctly seen through the open
ing of the curtains.
1t was Twelfth Night Festival. The
saloonlwas fairly ablaze with light. Mul.
titudes of children, dressed with taste,
moved about gracefully in childish
dances, or eagerly partook of the bon
hons, which on that occasion are always
literally supplied. Among them moved
elegant ladies, most of them being par
ents of the children present. who with
smiles watched the enjoyments of the
little ones.
the evening. This was the cutting of
the Twelfth Night cake, which was of
mammoth proportions. and of which
each guest was entitled to share. The
cutting of the cake was watched with
interest, and the pieces were drawn by
lot. just before this was done, how
ever, the Countess de Charny said to the
hostess:
"wilI you crafty me in a little
caprice ?"
Certainly said the hostess, com,
placently. s,.e
" It is this: | wish my portion of the
cake to be given to the poorest little boy
we can find in the street."
4. IL, Il, g., u 80, 11,x
and this "caprice" struck the hostess
as promising pleasant variety.
I" 1t is good thought" she said.
will at once dispatch Antoine on yotu
errand."
Antoine was at hand, his services be
ing liable to be called upon a; any mo
ment. He shrugged his shoulders as
the message was given him, and thought
there was no accounting for the caprlces
of fine ladies. But of courseit was not
for him to demonstrate, and he went out
to execute his errand. Reaching the
street, he looked around him, hoping
he might not have to ofar in the cold
for it was one of the coolest nights o
the winter.
.Ah, there's little vagabond, lucki
lyl Now to capture him."
The boy referred to was ragged lit
tie Savoyard, of. ten years old, appar
emily, who was standing opposite. with
his little violin under his arm. He hac
been about the street all day, playing
wherever he could get listeners. From
somc places he had been driven will
abuse, for his instrument was far from
being superior one, and poor littl
Carlo was only a passable player. Tn
poor fellow had suffered not only lit
tie with cold, for his clothes were thil
and by no means sufficient for the ses
son !; and he had nothing to eat sine
the crust of bread which was given hin
in the morning by the speculator VIII
had brought him, with several others, t
Paris, and now lived on their earnings
doling them out the smallest allowanc
of food that would keep soul and bod
together.
After wandering about the whole day
little Carlo had strayed into the Boult
ward des Malesherbes, and had pause
in front of the beautiful mansion wher
the festival was going on. He could sc
indistinctly the forms of the childre
who were participating in the ente
tainment, and it is quite likely that th
poor little fellow felt sorrowful envy
those whose lot was SO much brightt
than his His gaze JEvas 7soz-nR9ent thu
he did not notice the 60. -. rance of I'll
servant until Antoine, having crosse
the street, laid his hand on his shoulde
Carlo started in alarm, and tried to te;
himself from the servants grasp.
"Not so fast, little chap" said A
tome, "I want you."
"I didn't do any harm," said tt
Savoyard, trembling ; for he suppose
Antoine's intentions were unfriendly.
Who said you did only said tn
wanted YOU"
The little Savoyard looked at hi