The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-09-06

"opoA OouluShch. Out llhei bile DedrluB
of duchess.
"What will you?" queried she,
haughtily.
"Excuse me, ma'am," was the stam-
mering reply, as the intruder doffed his
great straw hat. "I mean-I did not
mean-that is, promised the little one
a ride"
"Anda" said madam, sternly.
And. answered the youth, gather
ing up courage, his honest, kindly eye
looking straight into hers, "she needs
little change; ride would not harm
her, madam"
eft is liberty objectionable. In
my country it is not known that ven-
dora street vendor-will intrude him.
self on lady's apartment. People
know their place, and"-
81 beg your pardon, madam. You
are right, interrupted the stranger, his
cheeks flushing hotly. "But this is
America, not Paris. Good-day."
He was gone. The place was blank
and desolate. The apples lay on the
floor. The sunlight had faded from the
window. Fifine set up frightful cry
of disappointment All! no ride, no
pleasure, 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 it
gloomily up to the top floor and the
waiting mother.
Two days, three passed. Fifne was
really ill. 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 down stairs
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
lie carry the apples up stairs for her?
Little Fifine, sitting flushed and fever
ish among heap of pillows, lit up ra-
! diantly at sight of the sunburned face
and great straw hat.
! "Ah mamma" she cried, clapping
! her hands, "now we shall go in the
country I"
But Fifine was i'll. Not for day nor
n week, but for long, weary month, the
little creature pined and sickened in the
upper story Of the tenement house.
And it fell out that nearly every day the
young mans step sounded on the stair,
and Monsieur jack S 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. Fifne watched
hungrily for his coming, and thus it was,
doubtless, that madam also found herself
sometimes listening for his footstep on
the stair.
One sunny afternoon she stood smooth
ing her glossy hair in the cracked look
iug-glass. The day was a hopeful one.
The air was clear, the Gun shone, Fitine
was better. Madams eyes frightened
as she stood at the glass. She adjusted
her knot of ribbon, she touched up the
white ruff1e about her shapely throat
Without, there war a creaking of the
rickety stair. The eyes shone brighter
in the dim little mirror. Madam stopped
in her toilet suddenly, seeing their ex-
pectant visitor.
"Can it be possible ?" she said to her.
self. Have come to this-to sewing
in a garret, to starving, to begging
almost, for Fifine, and to looking for
ward every day to the visit of young
man who is an apple vendor Paul
Professor Paul, was I 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.
"Ah!" cried Fifne, clapping her
hands, they came from the country
When shall we go-oh, when shall we
60, mama ?"
The mother looked at her tenderly,
pitifully. The child had grown so thin
with long illness.
"My little one," she said, ct wish 1
was back with thee in my beautiful
Paris, where we should have music and
flowers and parks, and"-
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 you ?" she said "Shall
l take shame to myself that am Door
I was poor in Paris, but 1 named it not
so. In my own country I have pleasant.
gentle life. My Paul is very wise, very
quiet. He will not have touch himself
with what is rude and rough. L have
my pot of flowers have my fete days.
1t costs but few sous to be happy.
All why did we ever come away, my
petite, to be reminded that we are beg
gars |"
Madam caught up her white handker-
chief and wipel her eyes. There was
an awkward pause. Monsieur Jack
played with Fitine's long locks, looking
down silent and reproved.
Fifne, not knowing what was the mat
ter, began to cry,
"Ah, yes," said madam, excitedly.
seeing the child's tears. 1t is no fault of
mine, monsieur, that my little Fifne is
ill and pining. cannot advertise 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, L pray you," said
madam, her face paling suddenly 81
have talk much-It is weak. ask your
pardon"
"When shall we go-whsn shall we
go in the country? ?" asked Fifne, seeing
pause.
"Thou canst not alone, lit lie one,"
said the mother, smiling, and rallying
her spirit
"She need not go alone, madam"
suggested Monsieur Jack, patting the
child on the head" not if you will go