Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-03-22
UNCLE MAURICE.

OtncrS hufk W(tH gloomy Clouub INV
of my Uncle Maurice was ono of the
latter. He was so sclly 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
delormed.
1Ie was deprived Of all the joys as
well as of all the attractions of child
hood. He was oppressed because he was
weak, and laughed at for his dcformity.
In vain this little hunchback opened his
arms to the world; the world scoiled 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 9th
ers. With her he found shelter, and
was happy, till he reached the age when
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
flied him 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 his
dwelling of a few square feet, with no
relaxation from the Office accounts but
reading and his mothers visits. On fine
summer days she came to work at the
door of his hut under the shade Of % Gle
mats planted by Maurice. And even
then, when she was silent, her presence
was q pleasant change to the hunch-
back; no heard the clinking Of her long
knitting needles, he saw her mild and
mournful profile, which reminded him
ofso many courageously borne trials; he
could every now and then rest his hand
affectiOnately on that bowed down 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 a few days he had to give up all
hope. Maurice was overcome ut the
idea Of % separation which would hence
forth leave him alone on earth, and
abandoned himself to boundless grief.
He knelt by tho bedside of the dying
woman; he called her by the fondest
names; he pressed her in his arms as if
he could so keep her alive. His mother
tried to return his caresses and to an-
swer him; but her hands were cold and
her voice already gone. She could only
press her lips against the forehead of her
son, heave sigh and close her eyes for
ever. Those who were present tried to
take Maurice away, but he resisted them
and threw himself on the now motion
less form.
"Deadw cried he, dead! She who
had never left me; she who was the only
one In the world who loved me! You,
my mother, dead! What then remains
for me here below 7"
A stifed voice replied:
"GOd ~
Maurice, startled, raised himself mp.
Was it last sigh from the dead, or his
own conscience that had answered him
He did not seek to know, but he under
stood the answer, and accepted it,
1t was then that l first knew him. |
often went to see him in the little toll
house; he mixed in my childith games,
told me his best stories and let me gath
er 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 would never put
himself forward he had welcome for
every one. Deserted and despiscd, he
submitted to everything with gentle
patience; but those who might otherwise
have promoted him as his services de-
serve were repulsed by his deformity.
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 a
favor when letting him keep the humble
office which enabled him to live. Uncle
Maurice bore injustice as he had borne
contempt; anfairly 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 sub
urbs where many work people, as poor
but not as forlorn as he, also lodged
Among these neighbors was q single
woman, who lived by herself in a little
garnet, into which came both wind ant
rain. She was u young girl, pale ant
silent, and with nothing to recommend
her but her wretchedness, and her resig
nation to it. She worked without inter
est and without relaxation; depressing
gloom seemed to envelop her like ,
shroud He detection affected Maurice
be attempted to speak to her; she re
piled mildly, but in few words. 1t was
easy to see that she preferred her silence
and her solitude to the little bunch
backs good will; he received it, ant
said no more.
But Toinette's needle was hardly sui
ficient for her support, and present.,
work failed her. Maurice learned tina
the poor girl was in want of everything
and that the tradesmen refused to Civ,
her credit. He immediately went t.
them and privately engaged to pay then
for what they supplied Toinette with.
Things went on in this way for sew
eral months. The young dress-makel
continued out of work, until she was a,
last frightened at the bills she had con
tracted with the shopkeepers. Whe1
che ,amc IN an exclamation with then