The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1874-02-19

preciate until We have felt their loss.
Michel has turned to his work. His
son has not yet arrived.
His recital to me Of his hopes and
his unhappy dsappointments has ex-
cited him. He returns to the same
subject and adds somewhat 10 his
griefs. He has Just finished telling
me of the progress he expected to
make in his work with the aid of
Robert. After thirty years Of labor
he had dreamed of retiring to one OF
those tidy cottages in the suburbs,
the usual resort Of an industrious
workman. But Michel had not the
two thousand francs which were nee
essary for ihe purchase Of the cottage;
but he thought perhaps Maitre Be
mott would wait. The absence of
Robert would be pledge to him, for
the young man could not help but
make the shop prosperous. Besides
learning and address, he possessed
talent for making inventions and u.s.
ing them. His father had found
among his drawings the plan for
new staircase which had occupied
him long time. The boy was tor
mented by the genius of Invention,
which filled his life so completely
that he had no time to listen to the
dicates of his affections.
Michel told me all this with mingled
pride ann scorn. 1t was evident that
he was proud of the son whom he
accused, and this same pride rendered
his desertion more painful.
SIX O'CLOCK, P. Nj have had a
happy day. What strange things
have transpired daring the last few
hours, and what q change for Gen
eVieve and Michel
While he was finished the arrang-
ment of my shelves, and speaking to
me of his son, laid the cloth for my
breakfast.
Suddenly steps were heard In the
hall, the door opened and Genevieve
entered with Robert.
The carpenter made movement of
joyful surprise, but repressed it quick
ly, as though he wished to appear re-
sentful.
The young man appeared not to
notice it, but threw himself into his
fathers arms with a gladness which
face radiant with joy, seemed scarcely
able to restrain herself,
I welcomed Robert, who saluted me
W ith crazy politeness.
81 expected thee yesterday" said
Michel About, dryly.
"Pardon, father,n responded the
young workman, "but had business
at st. German. could not return
L. -. ~ 81
The carpenter looked at his son and
t-al- mn his hSmmv<s
SIT is rIgnL," he muttered. "When
we are with people we must do their
will; but there are those who would
rather eat black bread with their own
knife, than partridge with the fork of
o master"
Sand 1 am one of them, my ia
ther," replied Robert gaily. "But we
must have the bread and the knife
before we can use them. wished to
make a place in a large establish
ment."
'For thy new stair case" interrupt
ed Michel disdainfully.
SIT is now necessary to say, Mon
sieur Raymond's stair case my IA
ther," said Robert smiling.
"Why SOP"
'Because have sold the invention
to him."
The carpenter who was planning a
board, turned quickly:
'Sold !" cried he, his eyes spark
ling.
tFor the reason that 1 was not rich
enough to give it." said Robert.
sfSee now what he has lost" said
Michel, angrily. "His good genius
sent him an idea which would have
made him famous, and he has sold 1t
to q rich man who will have all the
honor"
"WeI, what harm in that ?" de-
manded Genevieve.
"What harm ?n cried the carpenter,
t'thou canst not comprehend; thou
art q woman; but he-he well knows
that true workman never sells his
invention for money, any more than
q soldier sells his cross. 1t is his glo-
~; it brings him honor and fame.
All! If / had ever made discovery,
sooner than have sold it, l would
have sold one of my eyes. A work
mans invention is his child. de
cares for it, he raises it, he helps it
make its way in the world, and then
bargains for q price for it.
Robert blushed slightly.
"You will think otherwise, my IA
ther, when you know why sold L"
"Yes, and thou wilt thank him."
added Genevieye, who could no Ion
ger keep silence.
fNever m said Michel.
"But, unhappy one" cried she' "he
sold 1t for u.s."
. The carpenter gazed at his wife and
son with stupefed air. 1t was nee
essary to explain,
Robert told me how he had spo-
ken to Maitre BenOit concerning the
purchase of his cottage, and that he
exacted half of the two thousand
francs in cash. 1t was in the hope OF
procuring the money that he had en-
tered the service of the builder Of
Versailles. He had been able there
to perfect his invention and had
found a purchaser. Thanks to the
money received, he had just conclud-
ed the bargain with Maitre Benoit
and had brought his father the key of
the cottage.
The young workman's explanation
was given with so much modesty and
simplicity that I was completely
melted. Genevieve wept. Michel
dressed his son to his heart, and in
the long embrace seemed to ask par
don for his unjust accusations.
All was explained to the glory and
honor of Robert. He had left his par
ents, not from indifference, but from
devotion. He had obeyed neither
ambition nor avarice, nor that nobler
passion of inventive genius. His on
iy desire and his only end had been
the happiness of Genevieve and
Michel.
The day of acknowledgment had
come for him, and he rendered them
sacrifice for sacrifice.
After the Joyful explanation, all
three would have left me; but the ta-
bic was spread. I added three plates
and they remained to breakfast.
The repast was prolonged: The
cheer was only passably good, but the
ioyful hearts rendered it delicious.
Never before have / so well under
stood the inefable attractions OF the
IAmll1s NAos NCClACco Ia JOyo
vays shared in this community Of in
terests? How sensibilities are deep
eued in this association of existences,
in which several beings form but one!
What would man be without his
home affections, which, like so many
roots, serve to fix him firmly to the
earth, and permit him to aspire to the
best and purest things Of life7
Strength, happiness, do they not
spring from these associations? Is 1t
greater? Such il the holiness of the
to God with words invented for the
family. Do we not say the Supreme
Father and Son?
All! let rs preserve these chains Of
anktunanu III mt mnhfnd