The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-10-19
Misrclldnp.
The Little SavoYard.

GERMANY f-tes and entertainments. in which The
children bear prominent part.
l must ask the reader to accompany me TO an
elegant mansion in the aristocratic Boulevard Of
Malesherbes, IN the city Of Paris. II was easy
20 see that something was going on inside, Tor IL
was brilliantly illumina ted, and from time TO
time elegantly figures were lndistinctly
seen through the opening of the curtains.
1t was Twelfth Night Festival. The saloon
was fairly ablaze with light. MUltitudes OF
children dressed with taste, moved about grace
fully in childish dances, or eagerly pirtook OF the
bon-bons which on the oocasion are always lib
erally supplied. Among them moved elegant
ladies, most of them being parents OF the chill
dren present who with SMILES watched the en-
joyments Of the little ones.
AT last came the grand ceremony OF the eve
ming 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 watched with in.
terest, and the pieces were drawn by lot. Just
before this was DONE however, the Countess de
Charny said to the hostess:
"Will you crafty me in a little caprice Z"
Certainly" said the hostess, complacently.
at is this: I wish my portion OF the cake
to be given to the poorest little boy We can find
in the street"
The French are always fond Of novelty, and
a pleasant variety.
TT is good thought" she said l will at
once dispatch Antoine on your errand.
Antoine was ut hand, his serAices being lia.
bic to be called upon at any moment. He
shrugged his shoulders as the message was Civ
en- him, and thought there was no accounting
for the caprices of fine ladies. But ot cours: It
was not for him to remonstrate and he went
out to execute his errlud. Reaching the street.
he looked around him, hoping he might not
have to go far in the cold. for it WAS one Of the
coolest ights OF the winter,
"Ah there's a little vayabond, luckily Now
20 capture him"
The boy referred TO Was ragged little Say.
oyard Of ten years old. ppartutly, who was
standing opposite, with his little violin under
his arm He had been about the street all day,
PLAYING wherever he could get listeners. From
some places he had been driven with abuse, for
his instrument was far from being superior one,
and poor little Carlo only passable player.
The poor fellow mad suffered not only little
with cold, for his cloths were thin and by no
means sufficient for the season and he had moth
ing to eat since the crust of bread which was
given him in the morning by the speculator who
had brought him, with several Others. TO Paris,
and now lived on their earnings, doing them
out the smallest allowance of food that would
keep soul and body together.
After wandering about the whole day, little
Carlo had strayed into the Boulevard deo NAL
esherbes, and had paused in front Of the beauti-
full mansion where the festival going on.
He could see indistinctly the forms OF the chill
dren who were participating in the entertain.
ment, and II Is quite likely that the poor little
fellow felt 81 -orrowlul envy Of those whose lot
was so much brighter ;hah his. HIS gaze was
SO intent tina, he did not notice the appearance
Of the serv ut until Antoine, having crossed the
street, laid his hand his shoulder. Carlo
started in alatm, and tried to tear himself from
the servants gr1sp.
Not so fast little chap said Antoine II want
you"
II didn't do any HARM said the Savoyard,
trembling. for he supposed Autoine's intentions
were unriendly,
who nd sou d ? | only lid th,t want.
ed you"
The little SAvoyard looked at him distrustfu.
ly. He had met with SO little kindness in his
life that he regarded strangers enemies rnth.
or than a. friends.
"You are to come with me into yonder man.
sion," said Antoine.
"Where the lights are Z" asked ;he tagged
boy, in surprise
Eyes Come, hurry along. l don't want TO
stay out here i'll the cold"
"But why am to 60 up there 7" asked Carlo,
puzzled.
"You will know when you get there. All
can tell you is that my mistress wants you"
"Perhaps am wanted to play on my violin, "
thought the boy; and with this idea he followed
the servant to the entrance of the mansion.
A moment later and he was ushered into the
brilliant saloon, blazing with lights He looked
around him, dazzled and nearly blinded by
the glare. There was a chorus of calculations.
and the young gentleman and ladies gathered
around the timid little Savoyard who stood be.
wildered in the midst of the magnifcence.
In the midst Of it the Countess Of Charny,
whose caprice had been the cause Of his appear.
snce, advanced toward the little boy, and gent.
ly removed his tattered cap.
"Ah, ne Is indeed pretty" she said, his
chestnut hair fell in q natural wave over fine
brow, which seemed white in comparison with
his sunburnt checks.
His eyes were bright hazel. his features were
exquisitely turned, only thin from want Of sutfi.
cient food. In spite of his rags. it Was easy TO
see that he was gifted with beauty.
Countess, you will soil your glovos," said a
guest, as she took the little boz by the hand and
led him forward into the center of the saloon.
"Then / can buy another pair" she said, in.
differently. III is l who sent for you" che
said to Carlo Il will tell you what to do"
The drawing commenced. The little Savo-
yard followed the directions Of the Counters,
and his share Of cake WAS handed him
"Whoever finds the ring in his slice shall be
king of the party" said the hostess, in explains.
ton or if "a young lady she shall be queen
The king or queen has the right to select one
of the opposite sex to share the honor Of royal
ty.'
MAY ! eat it, madam : asked the Savoyard
with longing glance at the ,"ke he held in hi
hand.
eyes. my child but have care not to sw.l'
low the ring, il il should be within"
"All the chidrep were eagerly examining the