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


! be better for you il it were dead. ]
will not go away until / have my
: money or the child"
Sand what will you do with him?''
questioned Genevieve, pressing Rob-
ert to her breast.
"a foundling," calmly replied the
peasant. The hospital is better pa
rent than you, for it pays for the nurs-
ing of its little ones.h
At the word foundling Genevieve
Z uttered q cry of horror. With her
arms tWined round her son, whose
head rested against her heart, she re-
treated towards the wall, and stood
there like lioness defending her
young. The neighbor and myself
contemplated the scene without
knowing how to interfere. As for
Michel, he looked at us alternately,
making a visible effort to compre-
bend. When his eyes rested upon
Genevieve and the child, joy shone in
them; but when he turned towards
us his stupidity and hesitation return
ed.
AT last, after 8 seemingly prodig-
ious effort, he cried:
"Waitp'
And advancing towards q tub of
water he plunged his head into it re-
peatedly.
ALI eyes were turned towards him,
the peasant even seemed astonished,
and was silent. At last he raised his
dripping head.
The ablution had partially restored
his senses. He looked at US an in
slant, then turned towards Genevieve
all his face Illuminated.
Robert" cried he, going to the
child and taking him in his arms.
"Ah let me have him, wife; want
to see him."
The mother seemed unwilling to
abandon her son., and stood before
him with extended arms as if she
feared he would fall from his fathers
embrace. The nurse again found her
voice and recommended her de-
mands, this time threatening law.
Michel listened attentively, and when
he comprehended,g gave the child back
to its mother.
Chow much is it ?n demaded he.
The peasant again detailed the diff
ferent items, which amounted in all
to q little more than thirty francs.
The carpenter dived to the bottom of
his pockets, but found nothing. His
forehead corrugated more and more,
and murmured maledictions escaped
him. Suddenly he fumbled in his
bosom and brought forth q large
watch, which he held above his head.
"There is your money % cried he,
| gaily. ga number one watchI I al
ways said it would be q drRught for a
| thirsty day but il is net T who will
drink II, 1S y, sn.s Ss isstIs M one. All tnIas
will pay the debt. and If it is not
enough have my ear rings. Give
me my earrings, wife; they viii
make it square. It shall never be
said that an affront was offered thee
on account of the child. No! would
sooner mortgage my own person.
Ny watch, my earrings and my ring,
take them to the jewelers., change
them for money pay the country
woman, and let the little boy sleep !;
I will put him to bed"
And taking the child from its moth
er's arms he carried it with firm steps
to the cradle.
From this day great change was
observed in Michel. All his habits of
dissipation were abandoned. Going
to his work every morning, he return
ed regularly every evening to finish
the day with Genevieve and Robert.
Wishing to be always near them he
soon rented a small shop not far from
the fruit store and worked there by
himself.
Ease and comfort would now nave
returned to the home, had it not been
for the expense consequent upon the
| Of hn child
sacrificed to his education. eaten
ded school, studied mathematics and
designing, and became skilled car
penteT. A few months ago he COM
menced work at his trade. Until now,
all the resources of the humble house
hold had been exhausted to fit him
for high place in his chosen work,
but happily no more such efforts were
needed. The seed had borne fruit and
the days of the harvest were near.
While have been writing down
my remembrances, Michel has arriv-
ed and is busy arranging my book
case. While writing, I have observed
his appearance.
The excesses of youth and the hard
labor of age have deeply lined his face.
His hair is thin and grey. His shOul-
ders bent. His legs meagre and bent
also. His whole appearance Impress
es me with sense of weakness. His
| features have an expression of sorrow
ful announcement. He answers my
questions by monosyllables, as one
who wishes to avoid conversation.
What can have produced this melsn-
choly when he seems to have reached
the fulflment of his desire? / should
like to know.
TEN O'cLoCK.-Michel has just gone
away after a tool he needs. / have at
last succeeded in obtaining from him
the secret of the sadness of himself
and Genevieve. Their son Robert is
the cause.
Not because he Is ungrateful for
their care; not because he is idle or
dissipated. They had both believed
that he would never leave them.
They needed the presence of the yonng
man to brighten and render happier
their existence. The mother had
counted the days; the father had pre-
pared all to receive the son who was
to be his fellow workman, and at the
moment when they seemed to be
reaping the reward Of all their sacrifi-
ces, Robert suddenly announced to
them that he had engaged himself to
q master-builder of Versailles.
All their prayers and dremonstrances
were unavailing. He told them of
the necessity of learning the workings
of great establishment; of the ease
with which this could be accomplish
ed in his new position; of researches
he had commenced, and the hope he
had of using them. AT last, when his
mother became almost beside herself
with weeping, he embraced her hur-
riedly and departed, thus escaping
| farther entreaties.
His absence had lasted nearly a
year, and nothing yet announced his
return. His parents saw him scarce
ly once a month, and then for q short
time only.
81 have been punished where had
hoped to be recompensed, ;" said Mich
ell to me. 81 desired q son economi-
cal and industrious. God has given
me q son avaTicious and ambitious.
/ said to myself, when he has learned
his trade we shall have him at our
sides never to leave US, he will recall
our youth, and delight our hearts.
saw him working by my side, singing
new songs, for he studied music;-a
true dream, Monsieur. Soon as his
wings were grown, the bird took flight
and he remembers neither father nor
mother. Yesterday, for instance, we
expected him to visit US; but no Rob
ert has come yet to-day. When he
comes he will say that he had some
design to finish, some bargain to ne
gotiate, and the old parents come last,
after all the business of the shop. Ahl
If I had known how it would all end!
Fool that 1 ami For twenty years I
have sacrificed my money and tastes
to raise an migrate. Was 1t for this
THAT I denied myself drink, broke