The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1873-04-20

sivs and yet high forehead, a severe
straight nose, and earnest, deeP.set blue
eyes; 1t does not signify about the shape
OF the mouth when one wears such long
tswny beard q; bis Mr.. Martin do'S
For his name Is Msrtin--Martin on his
portmanteau, Martin on his writing box,
and Martin on another clamped box 30
heavy that it surely holds other books or
plate.
He stands and sees his baggage disposed
of with quiet determination; he does not
worry or fdget, but he checks the reckless
handling Of the gsmin and the lei,urely
dawdling OF the conductor.
The driver meantime gives last look TO
bis horses, and then before he mounts his
high perch he glsnces up tho road TO see
what has become Of tue old woman. Be-
hold her very red In the face--as much
face ~ can be seen under yellow her
chief--panting and gasping for breath,
but with n CHEEKY smile Of gladness round
her parted lip., eourtesying close beside
| her
! "Was Is il then, my mother?
IL is as the driver has said the old wo.
man moves her right side nearer to him,
and draws the other side after 1t with an
effort.
"Bonjour, m'sieur. You goto o., is
! il not SO 2"
But yes, my mother, the letters are
painted large enough" lie points to the
inscription in flaming scarlet letters on
the black body Of the voiture.
"Msieur, Sn the mother of Jacques,
our Jacques--who has been badly wounded
in the isst battle. What do I know ?
there has been perhaps another battle
since. j have travelled for four days
m'sieu-, from Trochu, for have no money
to spend on voitures; but | have this,
m 'sieur, if II will pay for my journey to
O" She holds up Q half franc piece.
Tho driver scratches his head.
Zone franc for the interieir,a franc and
half for the coupe, ma mere. Here he
pauscs and looks ut the bent mother Of
jacques she looks up at him. Her face is
still red. The blaze on it has been
scorched thereon 10y miles of toll along
the barren road. She cannot turn pale.
She does not cry or sob, but a sudden
drop spreads over the whole countcnance;
the CHEEKY life that lay sparkling in those
dark old eyes has departed.
Tho Englishman li,tens sttentively
Bein Z u man, he listens to the end.
yer, "you may no, think it TO look At me,
but too have son fighting those ac-
cursed PrussiAns, and for my sons sake
you shall ride part of the way 10 O.,
He opens the door of the interieur
"Cocben," the English nan touches hun
on the shoulder, II take the coupe for
myself and this good woman can travel
with mo. l prefer her company
This last ia answer to shrug Of depre'
cation from the driver.
The conductor opens the door Of the
coupe. The Englishman takes oil his hat
to the courtesying old woman, aad waits
till sue takes her place. Then be gets in
the driver mounts the box. The conduc-
tor waves his hand toward the shop-wiD-
dow of Mdlle. Sophie. The voiture
lurches, creaks, and with much noise oI
rafting over the round stones Of The
place, and an occasional crack OF
the drivers whip minglipg with
bis sharp ad jurations ~ bis
horses, the vehicle moves of along the
second of the two country roads.
"Has your son been long in the army
The Englishmsn has settled himself com
iortaby In his corner, and there is plenty
room for the mother Of Jacques to follow
his example, but she sits on the edge OF
the cushioned seat rs If she were unused
TO luIuries. 1t may DO that her heart i.
! too full to be able to think Of comfort, oil
aught relating 70 self.
She turns round and looks at her ques
TONER; her eyes glisten while she speaks
"But no, ~ sieur, he is my youngest, and h'
has ssid--my Jacques did-thst he viii
J never leave his mother. But what vii