St. Landry democrat., 1879-03-08
UNCLE MAURICE.
From the French of Emile Souvestre.

From the French of Emile Souvestre.
1t is with mems lives as with days
some dawn radiant with a thousand
colors, others dark with gloomy clouds.
That of my Uncle Maurice was one OF
the latter. He was so sickIy when he
came into the world that they thought
he must die; but Notwithstanding these
anticipations, which might be called
hopes, he continued to live, suffering and
deformed.
He was deprived of all the joys as well
as Of all the attractions of childhood. He
was oppressed because he was weak, and
laughed at for his deformity. In vain
this little hunehback opened his arms to
the world; the world scoffed at him and
went its way.
However, he still had his mother, and
it was to her that the child directed all
the feelings of heart repulsed by others.
With her he found shelter, and was
happy, till he reached the age when a
man must take his place in life; and
Maurice had to content himself with
that which others had refused with con-
tempt. His education would have quail
lied hinl for any course in life; and he
became clerk in one OF the little toll~
houses at the entrance of his native
town. He was always shut up in this
dwelling Of few feet square, with no
relaxation from the Office accounts but
reading and his mothers visits. On fine
simmer days she came to work at the
door of his hut, under the shade of a
c'ematis planted by Maurice. And even
then, when she was silent, her presence
was pleasant change to she hunchback ;
he heard the clinking of her long knit
ting needles, he saw her mild and mourn
full profile, which reminded him of so
many courageously borne trials; he could
every now and then rest his hand affec-
tionately on that bowed-dewn neck, and
exchange smile with her. But this
comfort was soon to be taken from him,
His poor mother fell sick, and at the
end of few days he had to give UP all
hope. Maurice was overcome at the
idea OF a separation which would hence
forth leave him alone on earth, and
abandoned himselfto boundless grief. He
knelt by the bedside OF the dying wo.
man; he called Der by the fondest
names; he pressed her in his arms as il
he could SO keep her alive. His mother
tried to return his caresses and to answer
him; but her hands were cold, her voice
already gone. She could only press her
lips against the forehead of her son,
heave sigh and close her eyes foreger.
Those who were present tried to take
Maurice away, but he resisted them and
threw himself on that now motionless
form, $3.50
"Dead Y" cried he, ''Dead She who
had never lett me she who was the only
one in the world who loved mel You,
my mother, deadl What then remains
for me here below 2" ....=
A stiaed voice replied:
"Godl"
Maurice, startled, raised himself up.
Was tia last sigh from the dead, or his
ewn conscience that had answered him
He did not seek to know, but he under
stood the answer, and accepted it.
It was then that I first knew him. /
often went to sec him in his little toll :.
house; he mixed in my childish games,
told me his best stories, and let me
gather his flowers. Deprived as he was
OF all external attractiveness, he showed
himself full of kindness to all who came
TO him, and though he never would put
himself forward, he had welcome for
everyone. Deserted and despised, he
submitted to everything with a gentle
patience; but those who might other
wise have promoted him as his services
deserved We're repulsed by his defornity.
AS he had no patrons, he found his
claims were always disregarded. They
preferred before him those who were
better able to make themselves agreea-
BILE, and seemed to be granting him
favor when letting him keep the humble
office which enabled him to live. Uncle
Maurice bore injustice as he had borne
contempt; unfairly treated by men, he
raised his eyes higher and trusted in the
Justice of him who cannot be deceived.
He lived in an old house in the suburbs
where many work-people, as poor but
rot as forlorn az he, also lodged. Among
,hese neighbors was single woman, who
ived by herself in little garrett, in TO
yLich came both Wind and rain. She