The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-14
LITERARY
THE STAIN OF PARENTAGE,

THE STAIN OF PARENTAGE,
In the woods forming what remains OF
the forest OF Ardennes, about mile from
small village called Solcnthel, a narrow
path leads to high spot once occupied
by charcoal burners, but now abandoned
It was gloomy place. The ground fol
about an acre was black where charcoal
had been burned and stored. while a
small fringe of green grass stretched itself
forward from the road, and commenced
regaining the lost ground. In the centre
was deep hole,,o be entered only one side
small hut. of wretched aspect, one of the
millions in France, where glitter and glory
hide misery worse than that OF Ireland
in her worst days, where sound and show
conceal from us 100000 of paupers
This hut had no window. 1t was curved
in shape and closely resembled wigwam
of the poorest class. 1t consisted of
three poles stuck in the ground, meeting
at the top these tied together, and then,
of course. thatch and mud. A hole was
left in the top, for the smoke to to pass
through. The floor was of mud. In one
corner was pile of straw, which, with
two chairs and a table, formed the whole
of the furniture. 1t was occupied by two
women and large dog. At the moment
when our narrative commences one only
was at home. She was about fifty, poorly
but not mcanly clad. She was clean,
neat and tidy. and she piled her needle
with unceasing energy. She was sewing
for hveliehoOd
A short distance off, on the edge Of the
wood, another woman, or rather a young
girl, dressed in the same manner, was
picking up wood and laying it in an out
spread cloth on the ground. She, too,
piled her work industriously, for until
sufficient fuel had been collected she
could not cook her humble dinner Pres
emily she seemed satisfied with what she
had done, and was about to proceed, when
two horscmen issued from the wood and
came a,ong, walking their horses slowly.
One was u young man, about tivc-and-
twenty, rosy-chceked, handsome and full
Of health; the other was ten years older,
and evidently an habitue of the boule-
wards and the cafes of Paris. His pale
face, made palcr by q thin black mus
tache and Jet black hair, his hollow, sun
ken eyes, spoke Of the man of late hours
and pleasures. His face was cold and re-
pulsive, while that of the other was open
and frank
"What a wrctched occupation for SO pref
ty girl" said the young man, riding
quickly on, so rs to speak first; surely,
ma chere, you might put your taper fin
gers to q better use. Here's will buy you
firewood for months"
And he cast double Napoleon at her
feet
The girl raised her angelic face to his
sadly, responsibility. She was about
eighteen. Her white skin, her blue eyes.
her curly golden hair, her simple, child
like manner, was something he had never
seen before. Her expression was timld
and yet proud, and looking into her eyes,
the young man was not surprised at the
reply he received.
Monsieur, have done nothing to give
you right to insult me. What you have
done may have been meant kindly, bat l
ask aims of no one"
pardon, ne mademoiselle. exclaim-
cd the other, confused and stammering
" meant no insult. Pardon me, made
moiselle, pray you the ought YOU
poor. and my impulse was to aid YOU
THANK you monsieur for the first kind
word | have heard these fifteen years,
except from my own mother" said the
young girl. " But 90 your way, or else
the whole country will shun YOU too
"Begone wretch" exclaimed the other,
riding up and raising his whip menacing
ly; -" bcgonc. viper, and dare not not
speak 10 an honest man
The young man listened in amazement.
II did NOT speak 10 monsieur; monsieur
spoke 10 me, said the girl gently. with,
however, a smile OF pity and contempt.
Raise your accused lips TO me again
cried the other fugiouSlv. "aRd will
scourge yoa with my whip"
Monsieur IS perhaps . coward" said
the gentle girl, stupg 10 anger for once.
turning u tne same time to face his in.
suits
What. you dare answer me" ami he
raised his hand again.
Nay, Edward. you would not hit =
womant"
~ woman. Do YOU call Madeleine de
Pierrepcnt, the child OF the assassin Of nv
uncle Dubois, womanl Say, rather y
tieud. screamed the usually calm dandy
Madeleine de Pierrepont," replied the
other. staggering 50 that his friend had -
turn his assistance to him. Madeleine
de Picrrenon,l And this Is Madeleine de
pierrepoat, Truly" he muttered, a. he
remouated his horse. ''she IS not woman.
The other initiated him. and they rode
off, leaving the young girl II " cap alone.
In fe~ minutes, however, she wiped her
eyes, and then, fearful that she might be
suspcctei of appropristin- the gold piece,
she took it up, wrapped it IN . piece
at paper, with the intention Of return