The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-11-08
had not appeared to have a thought for

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was resolved to carry out conscientiously
Jacques Fromentin's last wishes. Nine,
Fromentin lived in small house in
quiet well-knOwn street. The servant
who opened the door for me was an old
man with white hair i remarked that
he was in deep mourning.
mime. FrOmentin receives no one, ''said
he, as handed him my card.
'Tell her that I bring news Of her son."
aOf her scn-of NJ jacques" cried the
man, and became as pale as death. ''Does
he still live?'
NO." said sadly. bring only the
news of his death. | saw M. Jacques
dier'
The old servant remained silent for
moment, then slowly retired. At the
door which led to the house he stood still
an instant, as if he were considering how
he should announce me; then he heaved
a deep sigh, shook sorrowfully his white
head and entered the hall. was obliged
to wait several minutes before he return
ed to show me into the reception room. 1t
was large comfortable apartment filed
with old-fashioned, substantial, unpre-
tending furniture, which formed strik-
ing contrast to the parlor had just left.
Two portraits struck my eye at once. In
one l recognized Immediately Jacques
Fromentin; the other represented love-
ly girl of marked, earnest beauty. The
resemblance in the expression of the faces
made me recognize the two pictures as
portraits of brother and sister. The door
opened slowly, and turned around. A
venerable lady in the deepest mourning
entered the room.
II am the mother of Jacques Fromen-
tin" said she.
/ made low bow and took seat be-
side her. My tongue cleaved to my pal
ate; knew not how to open the con-
versation. 1t was clear to me that did
not have courage, that l could not have
courage, to tell the unhappy lady before
me the whole truth concerning the death
of her son.
''You are already aware of the misfor-
tune that has befallen vou," began, in a
low voice.
She made a mute sign with her head
and covered her burning eyes with her
hand but I saw the bitter tears on her
emaciated cheeks, and my heart felt as
though it would burst. rose, seized her
disengaged hand which lay in her p,and
reverenrly kissed it.
"Your son died the death of the noble
and the brave" continued. 81 wish l
could give you comfort"
Nothing can give me comfort, replied
she, amid her tears. "My God, how shall
l live? what shall do! Since the day
he disappeared, l have shortened my life
with grief and anguish! lOnged to hope
that he still lived-that he was prisoner
that he could not write; but for two months
l have known the worst, for have found
his gravel
She could say no more-her grief chok-
ed her. | dared not break the mournful
silence. After few moments she asked
me:
"Where did you see him for the last
time?"
I related how Jacques had been carried
MORALLY wounded, into the hospital OF
Ecouen. and that he had soon after died
there.
"How did you know my address," she
inquired.
Then came the unavoidable falsehoOd
"He asked me to seek you out, and
inform you of his DEATH" l answered,
boldly.
God bless him for the thought of his
mother!" she said; land God bless you for
the message and comfort you have brought
mew
felt ashamed, but l could not reject
the undeserved blessing. The eyes of the
unhappy woman suddenly turned inguir-
ingly upon me.
Did Jaques say nothing elsel"
Your son gave me the address of q
lady to whom / am to deliver from him
a red box with the letters j. de ",
which may find in his room
The poor mothers face quivered in .
melancholy way, but she spoke no word:
and left the room After few moment.
she returned, and handed me in silence
an exquisite little casket covered will
red leather, on which l recognized the
designated monogram. Then she sanl
into profound meditation, till she raised
her head again and said, in firm voice
Tell the lady that pray God to b.
gracious to my son, and that for his sake
/ forgive her."
Il sent the red box by messenger.
could not bring myself to return to Mime
de villers. Before my departure from
France. l visited once more the grave Of
Jacques Fromentin. As l approached
the spot, saw black, kneeling figure
clinging to the wooden cross. / recog
nized Jacques mother and quietly with
drew. On the shadowy road between
Enghien and St. Gratien met an elegan
carriage, and in it carelessly leaning bach
reclined beautiful, richly dressed WON
an. whom all the passers-by turned t.
look after. 1t was Jeanne de Villers
She recognized me, smiled at me in 1
friendly way, disappeared in cloud o
dust.-Appletons for October.
| A couple were married in Georgia by |
Justice of the Peace. Unto the man ,h'
said: Sir, will you have the beloved
woman you hold by the right hand, In TIT