The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-04-11
THE INVASION:
YEGOF THE FOOL.
From the French of Erekmann and chatrlan. j

from the French of Erckmann and Chatrian.
Continued
CHAPTER TX.
The farmhouse presented a busting scene
| when Jean Claude, DR.. Lorqnin, and the others
arrived. The kitchen fire had been blazing
since da break, and old Duchene was drawing
| from the oven innumerable loaves of bread, the
| fresh, crisp odor of which filed the whole
house. Annette piled them in heaps beside the
hearth, Louise waited upon the guests, and
Catherine saw to every thing.
Hullin, from his seat, gazed at his old cousin.
"What a woman she isl" he muttered. "Sbe
forgets nothing. Comrades" he exclaimed,
to Catherine Lefevre's health"
ITO GATHERINGS health !" cried the others !;
and the glasses clinked in the midst of discus
| sioDs on battles, attacks, defences, and re-
treats Every one was full of cheerful conf
dence; every one declared that all would go
well.
But heaven had still joy reserved for that
day-especially for Louise and Mother Lefevre
Toward noon, when the bright sunshine
sparkled on the snow and melted the frost
upon the window panes, old Yohdn, the tooth
less and almost blind Watchdog began to bay
80 joyously that all present stopped talking
and listened.
"What can it meant" thought Catherine.
" Since my boys departure Yohan has not
barked like that"
Swift steps were heard crossing the yard
Louise sprang to the door; a soldier appeared
on the threshold-but a soldier 30 worn, thin,
weary, and rsgged-bis old grey great-coa so
torn, his canvas CATERS battered, that q
murmur of pity ran from mouth to mouth. :.
He seemed unable to go q step further and
slowly placed the butt of his musket upon the
ground; his face was the color of bronze, but
his unkempt moustaches trembled, his cheeks
grew pale beneath their brown skin, and his
hollow eyes filed with tears when he gazed on
the party within.
Without, the old dog barked. whned, aud
tugged at his chain; within, you could hear
the fire erackle in the deep silence. But in .
moment Catherine had rushed forward, and
was angiug upon the soldiers neck
"Gaspard Gaspard! my boy!" she cried, |
while the tears burst from her eyes.
eyes, mother - he replied, in a voice choked
by a sob.
Then Lonise sobbed too and then the whole
kitchen was filled with voices Gaspards name
was every tongue, and every hand was
stretched forth to clasp his.
But the mother would not yet give up her
son; the woman, a moment before SO strong,
so brave, so resolute, still hung weeping upon
bis neck, his brown hair mingling with her
grey locks, as he murmured
"Mother! mother how often have l thought
of this meeting! But where is Louise :" he
said. ~ thought saw her."
And then Louise ran forward, blushing,
while she exclaimed:
al knew it was Gaspard 1 knew him by his
'tep~ And old Dnchene twirliug his cotton
Jap in his hand, muttered:
Great heaven! Is that my poor child in
Iuch plightp
Ind, since his departure, had always imagined
lin fresh and stout, in fine blue uniform
With red faoipgs. lie struggled to collect his
IDEAS rudely scattered.
But his friends surrounded the poor soldier
us musket, his shake, his knapsack, and his
'elts were merTily captured, and ut last old
Iullin cried, with moist eyes:
"Poor Gaspard How glad am to zee you
afe and sound Ha! ha p he continued, trying
lard to laugh, al would rather, though, see
'ou as you are than with the fat, round cheeks
'ou took away with yOh YOu are . man now;
,ou remind me of the old days Of the sambre
md of Egypt. Hat hat ha! our nOses were
harp enough then, my boy; and our teeth
yero long ard sharp too"
4. Yes, yes know what chat means, Father
Tsan.C laudos but let us sit down and talk.