Ellsworth American., 1875-11-11

guessed that should come out on the
Place beside The great fountain, and few
yards further on a turn. aud then descent
OF some Old broken stone steps brought
me facing the fountain.
The huge square water trough is raised
several feet above the Place. aud here is
constant supply OF fresh water for the busy
maids and matron> OF Wire. In front oil
the fountain, and partly hiding my yiew
OF II, WAS very portly dame. Her broad,
square shoulders rcTc covered by Il red
neckefchef. and on her head She wore
steeple-cGowued white cap, with pair OF
hyanay muslin wings at the ears. the
pointed part OF the neadpiece lined with
.kyblue sIk. She recognized me at once
Is a stranger.
Good day" she said. politely. Mad
anne has been examining our town. An, il
il fiHe Old town ior strangers; but these
houses are better TO lock at than to live
in
Yes, Madame, it i a charming town =
and then asked her if she had seen tall
girl come just now and ii.l a red pitcher al
the fountain
She smiled. MADAME will see great
many girls come 10 the fountain To iii red
| pitchers" But as she spoke she moved
aside and | saw girl seated on the step
/ that ppts lOuiu Tue louutaIu utE great
| red hands were spread over her face. but
/ By the rough head and the large stocking
! less feet | recognized Jeanne. the unluchy.
She seeIsed TO be sobbing. aud began
/ to wonder If she were still! crying about
! the broken chair but almost as the thought
/ came | saw heap of red fragments beside
| her, and | guessed that this last pitcher
| had followed IN the long train of its pred
| ecessors. Can it be carelcssness or awh-
wardness, or both united, which make the
misery OF her life:
The owner OF the tall cap gave me a
friendly smile.
This poor child" she nodded her head
/ toward Jeanne. There was never such a
mdlddroite since the beginning of the
| world and now she has broken the only
pitcher OF la mere Robillari. All, Mon
Dieui she is unfortunate! The poor child
Bon sOr, Madame;' aud. giving me d
smiling nod, she departed.
Jeanne sat crouched up. her coarse
hands plunged into her tangle OF dull
brown hair. She looked Kind of female
| Caliban.
Jeanne" | said, .what is the matter 2
She looked up; she had smeared hel
tears over her cheeks till they were soiec
and sodden, her eyelids were red and swol
len, and SO was her nose; but the face wa.
a good honest face, and her great, darl
eyes were full of feeling and intelligence
The sort of disgust had began to feel van
ished.
Get up. my child. and tell me how you
broke your pitcher"
She got up slowly. | saw how awkward
she was in every movement. SO tall and un
SOrned, and with such unshapely hand,
and feet at the end OF her long thin arm
and legs. Her dark stuff gown clung close
ly to her, and she did Lot wear necker
chief to hide her hollow chest and roun,
sloping shoulders; aud yet. except he
newly tear-smeared cheeks, Jeanne locke,
clean and wholesome
She glanced at me, and then at the heal
OF red fragments, and l saw her face puck
ering into fresh misery.
'Do not cry any more, my girl" said
abruptly, for the quivering lips and sa
face gave me an uncomfortable feeling il
my throat You shall have a new pitch
err
Jeanne looked at me with such suddc
wonder in her eyes that began to laugh
This did her good; a genuine smile sprea
over her face and beautifed it while it las
ed.
J Il do not know what to say to you, Jear
ne; you are terrible; you will certanl
break yourself some day if you 60 on lik
/ this
"Yes Madame" she curtesied; THAT
, just what Madame Robillard has said"
At this laughed again, but Jeanne sigl
ed . heavy, bursting sigh.