The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-03-28
CHATTER ".


shake So
CHATTER ~.
All the while everything was pursuing It's
usual course at the farm of Bots de-Chenes'
Yegofs strange behaviour was almost forgot
ten. and war as for the time untbought OF.
Old Duchene, while Hullin plodded back, was
driving his cattle home, the herdsman Robln
spreading the straw on which they were to
rest, and Annette aud Jeanne were skimming
the daily tribute of their dairy. Catherine
Lefevre alone, silent ard gloomy, unused over
what had passed, as she superintended the
work of her people. She was too old, too
grave, to 80 soon forget events which had agi-
tated her so strongly. At nightfall after the
evening repsst, she entered the large kitchen
where the farm servants awaited her, and
there took down her register and placed it
upon the table, ready, As was her wont, to
regulate the accounts Of the day.
1t might have been half past seven, when
footsteps were heard at the gate. The watch
dog sprang forward growing, listened for a
moment, shifted the air, and then quietly re.
turned TO his bone.
alt is some one belonging to the farm, said
Annette; michel knows him"
At the same moment Old Duchcne exclaimed
GOOD evening, Master Jean Claude You are
back" .....
"Yes-from Phalsbourg, and will remain
here few moments to rest before going to III,
village. Is Catherine at homer
"She is within" replied Duchene. Ant
brave Jean Claude entered into the brigh
light, his broad hat drawn over his eyes, ant
the roll of sheep-skin upon his shoulder.
"Good evening, my children" said he, "Goo'
evening. Always at work, Sec"
"Yes, Monsieur Hullin," answered Jeanne
laughing. "If we had nothing to do, lif
would be tiresome indeed"
"True, my dear, true. There is nothin
like work for giving rosy cheeks and shinn
eyes"
Jeanne was about to reply, when the doc
opened, aud Catharine Lefevre advanced int
the room. She cast anxious glance o
Hulln az if to divine beforehand the news b
was bringing.
"Well, Jeanne Claude. you have returned
eyes, Catherine, and with good and
tidings"
LET us have them" exclaimed she, pr
senting a seat to the sabot maker, as he depU
tied his roll upon the table.
"WelI, the news from G4spard is good Il
boy is well, although he has had hard tin
of it SO much the better-hardship strcngt
ems youth. But the war goes badly, badly :"
He shook bis head as he spoke, and the o
woman, seating herself in her arm-cha
directly in front of him, fixed her eyes up
his.
"Thcn the allies are in France; the war
to be brought home to us :"
"Yes, Catherine; we may any day expect
see the enemy in our mountains"
81 feared i'll was sure of it-but 60
Jean-Claude."
Hullin, in low voice, proceeded to rel
all he had seen and heard he told of
works around the city, the proclamation
the state of siege, the wagons loaded W
wounded on the Place d'Armes, and his ne
ing with the old sergeant. From time to ii
he pansed, and the old lady half closed
eyes, as If craving his words upon her memo
and when Hullin spoke of the wounded
gasped:
But Gaspard has escaped"
At the end of the sabot-makers sorrow
story there was a long pause. How many l
ter thoughts were burning in the minds
both!
At last Catherine broke the silence. "N
see, Jean-Claude," said she, "Yegof was rigl
"He was right" replied Jean Claude, "l
what does that prove' 1t would, indeed.
astonishing if o fool-wandering, as he dc
everywhere, from village to village-in Alsa
in Lorraine-saw nothing, heard nothing;
if he should not occasionally utter a truth
the midst of his nonsense. Everything
mingled in his head. and you imagine you
derstand what he does not understand hims
But enough of the fool, Catherine. The A
arians are coming, and the question is wbet