Middletown transcript., 1877-09-29

One sunny afternoon she sJOO
smoothing her glossy hair in tn
cracked looking glass. The day wa
q hopeful one. The air was clear, tn
sun shone, Fifne was better. Ma
DANES eyes frightened as she stood a
the glass. She adjusted her knot o
ribbon, she touched up the white ruff
about her shapely throat. Without
there was a creaking of the ricket,
stairs. The eyes shone brighter in th,
dim little mirror. Madame stopped
in her.toilet suddenly, seeing their ex
pectant glitter.
"Can it be possible ?" she said t.
herself @Have I come to this-tc
sewing in a garret, to starving, to beg
ging almost, for Fifne, and to looking
forward every day to the visit of q
young man who is an apple-vender
Is it that I must belong to the can.
allie Paul-Professor Paul, was
ever worthy of thee ?"
But when she opened the door, and
Monsieur Jack stood modestly on the
threshold, Madame's eyes did not lose
their sparkle. He brought bunch Of
pinks for Fifne.
"Ahl" cried Fifne, clapping her
hands, ethey came from the country,
ma chere, naaman! When shall we 60
oh, when shall we 60, mamanp
The mother looked at her tenderly,
pitifuIIy. The child had grown 50 thin
with long illness.
"My little one,o she said, Il wish 1
was back with thee in my beautiful
Paris, where we should have music and
flowers and parks, and"
'fYou can have them all here" in
terrupted Monsieur Jack, quietly.
There were tears in Madame's eyes,
but she turned upon him hotly.
"What viii you p she said. @ShaIl
I take shame to myself that I am
poor =? I was poor in Paris, but l NAM
ed it not so. In my own country l
have pleasant, gentle life. My Paul
is very wise, very quiet. He will not
have touch himself with what is rude
and rough. The neighbors say he will
never be rich. III ma pas inuente la
Ooudre,' they say, and laugh he was
not the inventor of gunpowder.' But
We also laugh and are happy. I have
my pot of flowers I have my fete
lays. It costs but few sous to be
happy. Ali why did we ever come
lway, ma petite, to be reminded that
We are beggars ?"
Madame caught up her white hand
Zerchief and wiped her eyes. There
vas an awkward pause. Monsieur Jack
'layed with Fifne's long locks, look
ng down silent and reproved.
Fifne, not knowing what was the
natter, began to cry.
"Ah, yes" said Madame, excitedly, |
eeing the child's tears. "We can have
Il things here, my Fi6ne, yet thou
asst nothing. In Paris we need not
e told that we are Door. IF we know |
hat the last sou is being spent, we will
NY some charcoal, we will shut our
elves in the pleasant little room with
ne flowers and sunlight, and die de-
emily, making no trouble, but in
America it is not so. Here it is rude
nd outre. People will meddle. You
an not manage your small scrapling
f life for yourself You must starve
nd beg-and steal, if need be, but you
lust live. It is, therefore, no fault of
line, monsieur, that my little Fifne is
and pining. I can not advertise
lat I must have her helped and I am
cor am poor r
It seemed to be relief to Madame's
ind that this wel-kept secret was out
last.
Madame" said the visitor, rising,
[ also am poor"
@Excuse me, I pray you" said Mad
ne, her face paling suddenly; Il
i've talked much-it is weak. I ask !
,ur pardon"
"When shall we go-when shall we
, in the country ?" asked Fifne, See
g pause.
''Thou canst not 60 alone, little one"
id the mother, smiling, and ralIying ,
r spirit. Il
''She need not go alone, Madame" t
ggested Monsieur Jack, patting the {
lid on the head--"not if you will go !
th her"
All what can poor people do? Was !
t Madame the wife of a professor,
d was not her pride great therefor ? i
,uld she go out riding with an apple
nder?
"When r repeated the invalid, i'm e
ratively.
And the mother, driven to a corner, q
swered, Tomorrow" 5
I
There was little old woman in a f
low gown stepping quickly about a
-m-house kitchen. The yellow gown h
5 short, revealing her blue woolen s
Sc and sturdy shoes. She was max. n