Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-11-11

fcnntinned from first raee. !


hard with her bony knuckles.
In a lew moments she looked up; her
face was so changcd--so soflened, that 1t
seemed as II those tears had done the work
of storn-shower
pardon Madame her voice was sad
but no longer harsh. II never had q
daughter. was to have been the wife OF
my Louis when he left the army. lie was
my youngest, and he died at Sedan, ana
his poor Marie has gone away TO service
1t Bayeux. have no one now.
sYour husband is dead, then p Inc
frown came back for moment.
Yes. Madame, he has been dead TWEEN
~ wears and more and am used to be-
mo alone, for my Louis was a soldier long
before this war; but could work then.
and when one works there is not time to
think. could sew and make the lace
too"
"But you are working now tried to
look into the room, doubly dark by the
total absence of sunshine in the narrow
street and from the backened walls in
side. The room was very bare, On one
side was tiny stove, and upon it an
earthern stew-pan; close by was piled q
of chopped faggots. There was chair
without back, and behind the old woman
was dark bedstead with dingy quilt.
It was all miserably poor and squalid.
But no, Madame" she shook her head,
this is not work, this is only bread. Since
this was paralyzed, she touched her left
touched her left thumb, II can no longer
make the lace work or the embroidery.
There is the risk of spelling the work.
and that is too great great. Even il
I could do it, can no longer 60 to seek
it. From here''-she touched her left hip
II am useless. The spinning she
frowned at the distaff-'' makes bread for
the girl and me. All! Unjust earn bread.
She eats"-she began to rock backward
and forward again. "MonDien she eats
like . regiment"
..She IS your servant?' put the ques-
ton doubtfully, for it seemed surprising
this poor old woman could afford to keep
any one but herself.
'She is Jeanne-that is all
wished had not been so inquisitive,
for the cloud came over her face again. l
was standing sideways, and ! saw the
broker appear in the shop opposite, and
then come forward and lean against his
doorpost. ready to listen, while he smoked
his pipe.
II took her from the Aospice,' the old
woman went on, and her voice had got
back all its former harshness. 81 had
enough for two then she is better than no
one, and perhaps no one else would keep
SO awkward child. She is fated to do
mischief. Over and over again she could
have filed her stomach with the pitchers
and pipkins she has broken. One day she
falls, and the next she breaks. She grows
worse and worse. Not even does she
look like another girl" She gave heavy
sigh, and pointed her distaff at the chair;
the back lay on the ground beside it.
..She threw that down just now; and
there"
The whole scene-the dark, dingy room,
where everything was shrouded in mys.
terry of gloom-the ancient spinning wheel
the witch-like figure and face of the old
woman, her white cotton cap and red face
telling out intensely against the black
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT more like bit OF
middle age drama than a reality; and
when she pointed that weird-looking dis
taif at the broken chair almost expected
to see it transformed into a hobgoblin.
l recovered from my dream to find the
red eyes scanning my face, as if they
were impatient for an answer.
but the chair can be mended,'' said.
u
lessly. Jeanne could never mend any
thing. She can only break and destroy.
and / have no sous to spend on mendiDg.
Thought ! would go and find Jeanne
and see If anything could be done.
.Well, an reuoir, Madame l said.
IL hope to stay in Wire till tomorrow, and
perhaps we may meet again. will now
20 and see what Jeanne is about
Che $only M furtbar nofipa IF mo Op Of
my salutation, but went on spinning.
guessed that should come out on the
Place beside the great fountain, and few
yards further on turn, and then de-
scent of some old broken stone steps
brought me facing the fountain.
The huge square watertrough is raised
several feet above the Place, and here is
a constant supply of fresh water for the
busy maids and matrons ofVire. In front
of the fountain and partly hiding my view
Of it, was a portlv dame. Her broad,
square shoulders were covered by red
neckerchief, and on her head she wore
steeple-crowned white cap, with pair of
fyaway muslin wings at the ears; the
pointed part of the headpiece lined with
sky-blue silk. She recognized me at once
as stranger.
GOOD day." she said politely. Mad
anne has been examining our town. All
it is fine old town for strangers; but
these houses are better to look at than to
live :n."
Yes, Madame, it is charming town."
and then ! asked her if she had seen tall
girl come Just now and fill red pitcher
at the fountain.
She smiled. MADAME will see great
many girls come TO the fountain to fill red
pitchers" But as she spoke she moved
aside, and l saw girl seated on the step
that goes round the fountain; her great
red hands were spread over her face, but
by the rough head and the large stocking
less feet, / recognized Jeanne, the un-
lucky.
She seemed to be sobbing, aud began
10 wonder il she were still crying about
The broken chair but almost as the thought
came ! saw heap OF red fragments be-
side her, and l guessed that this last pitch
err had followed in the long train of its
predecessors. Truly this girl is uniortu-
nate. Can it be carelessness or awkward
uass or both united which make tho