Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-09-07


floor. The sunlight had faded from the
window. Fifine set up frightful cry of
disappointment. Ahl no ride, no pleas.
ure, no delights in prospect now.
She did not go dancing off to school
next day, singing as she went. She came
back with headache, carrying IL gloom.
lily up to the top floor and the waiting
mother.
Two days, three, passed. Fifne was
really i'll. She chatted necessarily of the
ride and the beautiful country. She cried
to see Monsieur Jack, as she had named
her friend.
One day madam slipped downstairs to
buy some apples. 1t was the day for
Monsieur Jacks appearance. The young
man bowed when he caught sight of this
Princess from the top floor. Should he
carry the apples upstairs for herr
Little Fifine, sitting flushed and fever
ish among heap of pillows, lit up ra-
diantly at sight of the sunburned face and
the great straw hat.
"Ahi maman," she cried, clapping her
hands, "noU we shall go in the coun-
tryp
But Fiine was i'll. Not for a day nor
a week, but for u long, weary month the
lsttle creature pincd and sickened in the
upper story of the tenement house. And
1t fell out that nearly every day the young
mans step sounded on the stair, and
Monsieur Jacks face became familiar to
all the neighbors as he made his way
to the topmost floor
! He petted Fifne, he chatted to her,
and charmed madam by stepping softly
in spite of his big boots. Fiine watched
hungrily for his coming, and thus it was,
doubtless, that madam also found her
self sometimes listening for his footstep
! on the stair.
One sunny afternoon she stood smooth
ing her glossy hair in the cracked look
ing.glass. The day was a hopeful one.
The air was clear, the sun shone, Fifne
was better. Madam's eyes frightened as
she stood at the glass. She adjusted her
knot of ribbon, she touched up the white
ruflle about her shapely throat. With
out there was a creaking of the rickety
stair. The eyes shone brighter in the
dim little mirror. Madam stopped in her
toilet suddenly, seeing their expectant
glitter.
Can it be possible?" she said to her
self. Have come to this-to sewing
in garret, to starving, to begging al
most, for Fifne, and to looking forward
every day to the visit of young man
who is an apple vendor? Is it that
must at heart belong to the cdRdite?
Paul-Professor Paul, was | ever worthy
of thee?"
But when she opened the door, and
Monsieur Jack stood modestly on the
threshold, madam's eyes did not lose their
sparkle. He brought bunch of pinks
for Fifne.
"Ahn cried Fifine, clappng her hands,
"they came from the country, ma chere
mamdni When shall zoe go-oh, when
shall we go, maman?"
The mother looked at her tenderly,
pitifully. The child had grown SO thin
with long illness.
"My little one," she said "I wish l
was back with thee in my beautiful Paris,
where we should have music and flowers
and parks, and" .H
"You can have them all here" inter
rupted Monsieur Jack, quietly.
There were tears in madam's eyes, but
she turned upon him hotly:
What will your" she said. Shall /
take shame to myself that am poor? !
was poor in Paris, but l named it not So
In my own country have pleasant, gen.
tie life. My Paul is very wise, very
quiet. He will not have touched him
self with what is rude and rough. The
neighbors say he will never be rich III
ma pas inUente Ia poudre, they say and |
laugh he was not the inventor of gun
powder But we also laugh and are
happy. have my pot of flowers; have
my tete days. 1t costs but a few sous to |
be happy. All! why did we ever come
away, my petite, to be reminded that we |
are beggars?"
Madam caught up her white hand
kerchief and wiped her eyes. There was
an awkward pause. Monsieur Jack |
played with Fifne's long locks, looking
down silent and reproved.
Fi6ne, not knowing what was the
matter, began to cry.
All, yes" said madam, excitedly,
seeing the child's tears. 1--WE can have
all things here, my Fiine, yet thou hast
nothing. In Paris we need not be told |
that we are poor. If we know that the
last sou is being spent, we will buy
some charcoal, we will shut ourselves in
the pleasant little room with the flowers
and the sunlight, and die decently, max
so. Here it is rude and outre. People
will meddle. You cannot manage your
small scraping of life for yourself You
must starve and beg-and steal, if need
be-but you must live. 1t is, therefore,
no fault of mine, monsieur, that my lit
tie Fiine is i'll and pining. l cannot ad-
vertise that must have her helped; and
am poor am poor! / am poor!"
1t seemed to be relief to madam's
mind that this well-kept secret was out
at last.
MADAM" said the visitor, rising, 81
also am poor"
Excuse me, I pray you," said
madam, her face paling suddenly; 81
have talked much-it is weak. ask
your pardon"
"When shall we go-when shall we
go in the country?" asked Fifne, seeing
a pause.
"Thou canst not go alone, little one,"
said the mother, smiling, and rallying
her spirit.
She need not go alone, madam"
suggested Monsieur Jack, patting the
child on the head-"no if you will go
with her."
Ali what can poor people dor Was
not madam the wife of professor, and
was not her pride very great thereforY
Could she 60 out riding with an apple
vendor2 ....
Wheni" repeated the tiny invalid,
imperatively.
And the mother, driven into corner,
answered, Tomorrow"
There was little, old woman in a
yellow gown stepping quickly about a
farmhouse kitchen. The yellow gown
was short, revealing her blue, wooden
hose and sturdy shoes. She was making
fine biscuit, her brisk, horny hands mold,
ing them deftly and quickly. She has
set out round table with white cloth,