Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-09-04
THE CHILD SPY.

THE CHILD SPY.
His n"me was Stcnne, little StCnne
He was "ohild of Paris thin and
pale, and was ten, perhaps fifteen years
old, for one can never say exactly how
old those children are. His mother was
dead, and his father an cx-marinc, was
the guardian of n square in the quarter of
the Temple. The nurses and babies, the
old ladies who always carry their own
iolGing chairs, and the poor mothers, all
that small world of Paris which seeks
shelter from vehicles, in those gardens
that are surrounded by pavements. knew
Father Stenne and loved him. They
knew that under his rough mustache.
which was the terror of dogs and dis
turbers of benches was hidden n kind,
tender and almost mothcrly smile. and
that in order to bring it forth they had
only to say to the good man:
How is your little SOM"
For Father Stcene loved his ntt,c son
So much.
He was so happy in the afternoon
when, after his school, the little boy
would call for him, and together they
would make the rounds Of the paths,
stopping at each bench TO speak TO the
habitues of the square and 10 answer
their good wishes
But when the siege began everything
was sadly changed. Father Stenne's
square WAS closed and filled with pc
roleum, and the poor man, condemned
10 an inCessant surveillance, passed his
life in the deserted, upturncd paths.
quite alone, not permitted to smoke, and
only seeing his little son late in the
evening Mt his home. You should have
seen his mustachc when he spoke Of the
Prussians. Little Stenne. however. did
not complain of this new life
A siege! Nothing is more amusing
Tor such urchins. No more school, no
more studies! Holiday all the while,
and the-streets rs exciting as fair.
The child ran about all day till night
fall. He followed the battalions OF the
quarter to the ramparts, choosing those
that had good band Little Stennc
was well posted on that subject. lie
would tell you very glibly that the
kinety-sixth band was not worth much.
but the Fifty fifth had an excellent one.
Sometimes he would watch the mobiles
training, and then there were the pro-
eessions. With his basket un.
der his arm he would join the long files
THAI were formed In the dark cold winter
mornings, when there was no gas, be-
fDFe the butchers and bakers shops.
There, with their feet in the wet.
the people would make acquaint-
anccs and talk politics, and, rs he was
Nr. Stenne's son, everybody would ask
him his opinion. But the most amusing
Of all were the afternoon games. especi-
ally the famous game of galoche. which
the Breton mobiles made the fashion
during the siege. When little Stenne
was not at the Tamparjs or bakers shop
you would b. sure Ia find him at the
square Of the Chateau d'Eau. He did
not play, however; it needed too much
money; he was satisfied in watching the
players with all his eyes.
One especially, q great fellow in blue
workman's blouse. who only PLACED
with fivc-franc pieces, excited his adj
miratiOn. When he ran ono could hear
the coins iingling under his blouse.
One day rs he was picking up q piece
tha' had rolled under little Stenne's
leet. lie great fellow said to him in a
low tone: THAT makes you wink,
heyP Well. if you wish, III tell you
whore they're to be found"
The game over. he took him 10 n
corner of the square and proposed that
he should join him In selling newspapers
TO he Prussians-that he would make
s..nty francs for every trip. At first
Stenne was very indignant and refused,
and what was more. he remained away
from the game for three days-three ter
Fible days. lie neither ate nor slept any
more. At midnight he would sec great
heaps Of gaioches piled on the foot OF his
bed and tivC-iranc pieces moving over It.
bright and shining. The temptation
was too strong for him. The fourth day
he returned to the Chateau d'Eau. saw
lhe large fellow and was overcome
They act out one sunny morning. n
linen bag thrown over their shoulders
and their newspapers hidden under their
blouses. When they reached the Flan-
ders gate IL was yet b1Tdly dawn. The
great fellow took ST nne by the hand
and appf jaehcd the scntinel--a good
civilian with red nose and kind air
lie said to him, with plaintive tone:
let us pass. my good monsieur Our
l'.'lhcr is III and papa Is dead. We arc
going to see. my little brother and I. If
~ can't find some potatoes 10 pick up
IN the ii Ids.
lie cried, and stenue. who was
ashamed lowered his head The SEN
sinel looked at them a moment. and
hesl, giving n glance over the white.
sEeycrted road. "Go quickly" !" said he to
sllem, moving aside; and then they were
in the road to AuDerville. How the
large follow laughed
Confugedly, as though In dream, lit
SIC Stennc saw the manufactures trans
ormed into barracks, their tall chimucys.
which pierced the fog and seemed to