Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-12
NO. 269.
Vales aud Sketehes.
JEANNE.
By THE AUTHOR OF PATTY" "


BY THE AUTHOR OF patty
CONTINUED FROM YEsrERDAY.l
Jeanne looked at me with such sudden
wonder in her eyes that began to laugh.
This did her good genuine smile spread
over her face and beautified it while it
lasted.
Il do not know what to say TO you,
Jeanne; you arc terrible you will GER
tainly break yourself some day If you 60
on like this
YES, Madame she courtesied s.that
is lust what Madame Robillard has said.'
At this laughed again, but Jeanne
sighed heavy, bursting sigh.
docs not Madame think it will be bet.
ter that should break myself than always
the pitchers OF Madame Robillard--of the
poor Madame, who has no money now to
buy new ones9'
! l did not feel able to answer that ques-
ton, so I said. Have you got any par
ents. Jeanne
She shook her head.
mo, Madame, they died before can
remember. l am from the hospice.
was given to mistress when | was old
enough"
"Who gave you?''
1t seemed horrible that this human be.
ing. with quick feeling soul, should say
she did not belong to herself but could be
/ given away like a dumb brute.
The Sisters, Madame, they were so
good, it was long before they knew was
unhappy, and when some one told them,
they took me away and gave me to Mad
anne Robllard.'
"Ah, then you had another mistress,
and she was unkind to you?"
Such look Of terror came into her face
then dull, heavy expression filled her
eyes.
"It is nothing to talk about, Madame
her voice sounded husky; 1.-THE sRilrs have
told me not to think of her; and they said
she only beat me when she was mad; but
do not see the sears now: can never
go to them since Madame is lame; she
cannot spare me-
'Do you like living with Madame Robil-
lard -
At this Jeanne's eyes opened 30 widely
that | became conscious of having asked
a foolish question.
ut is my life.n she said, simply.
i l did not feel quite sure that this SIM
pliciiy was genuine.
We'll" said, carelessly, ''you know
best, Jeanne but / should have thought
you would do better with mistress who
was able to fill her own pitchers"
A broad smile lowered round Jeanne's
mouth.
but Madame sees if did not break
pitchers i, would be something else. I'll
belonged TO 4 mistress VINO could do
things well for herself. she would not suf-
fer such awkwardness as mine is If
Madame only knew how bad amr' here
she gave a deep sigh. IF thing should
be placed one way am sure to set it an.
other. If there is nail to be found any
where it is my gown which tears itself
against it. Only just now was trying -
carry that pitcher $3.50 carefully-and
looking at it on the ground, SO that
might not stumble for usually. Madame,
l forget to look-and | trip against stones"
and here sob stopped her.
l had begun to teel less pitiful; awk-
wardness in woman seems against ma
ture. and especially French nature; French
girls are not always neat, but they seem
always adroit and delt with their hands.
so You generally break the pitchers,
Jeanne. Well, | should be very angry
with YOU ii were Madame Robilard. /
do not wonder she scolds you"
Jeannes head dropped vet lower, and
my conscience reproached me.
"She does not scold, Madame" she
sobbed; "she only tells me my faults.
All if Madame knew half my awkward.
ness she would say deserve beating, and
not once has Madame Robillard given me
even Sonfaet. All she is good to me;
and if Madame knew how much eat
and, indeed, try to do with the least
can; but there it is she burst into fresh
tears, trying is no use. | have not a
body like the bodies of other girls, with
useful hands and feet. | have only a car
cass, which devours the bread of Madame
indeed try, but it is useless
She hid her face again, and leaned
against the fountain, sobbing heavily.
Jeannes crying. like everything else
about her except her eyes, was quite har-
dening and unattractive.
could not help smiling at this quaint
account of her misfortunes, and stood
waiting for her to speak again. But she
took no notice; she seemed stupefied with
shame and sorrow.
Perhaps. speak cheerfully-it seems
to me this poor creature has had her awk-
wardness dinned into her till she has lost
all self-independence perhaps, Jeanne,
if you made up your mind not to stumble
and knock things down you might avoid
these accidents, and then you would be all
right, you know
This small attempt at consolation has ev-
identity made her worse. l am dismayed
to see how fast tears trickle through her
poor, red fingers.
Jeanne shakes her head. but she does
not raise it. "Ah, no. Madame, did look
at the ground just now. as came along;
every step have looked at it, and what
has happened" CHere violent sob) II
have gone up close against this edge" (she
touched the stone water-trough) "without
seeing | was so close. and the pitcher has
broken in moment; but it is no wonder.
if Madame will take the trouble to look at
me, she will see that I am so different
from other girls; how can expect to do
things as they do ?''
She drew her hands from her face, and
looked at me with an agony in her eyes
that again made me feel uncomfortable.
IL seemed imnossible to rive her anY COM