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

his crime was not 80 dreadful after all.
But when he was alone. the unhappy
child-whcn mt the gates of the city the
large boy left him, then his pockets grew
heavy and the hand That had been
grasping his heart held it tighter still.
Paris seemed no longer the same TO him /;
the passers-hy regarded him severely, as
If they knew from whence lac came, and
he heard the word spy" in all the
sounds of the street and the beating of
the drums along the canal where the
troops were exercising. AT last he
reached his home. and, glad to find that
his father had not come in, he hurried To
his room and hid the crowns that were
weighing SO heavily under his pillow.
Never had Father Senne been SO good
humored and Joyous rs he was that
night on coming home. Good news had
been received from the provinces; the
Country's affairs were going better.
Whilst lac was eating, the old soldier
looked at his gun huns on the wall and
he said to the boy, with hearty laugh !:
"licy, my son, how you would go after
the Prussians, if YOU were old enough ~
About eight O'Clock they heard the
sound of a cannon. IL is at Aubcryil-
licrs: they are fighting at Bourget! ~ said
the old man. who knew where all the
forts were situated. Little Stcnnc grew
pale and, fcigning great fatigue, went to
bed, but not 10 sleep. The Cannons were
laundering continuously. He pictured
To himself the sharpshootcrs going mt
night to surprise the Prussians. and fall
ing into an ambuscadc themselves He
recalled the sergeant who had smiled at
him, and saw him stretched out there
in the snow ard so many others with
him. The price Of all that
blood was hidden there under his pillow,
and it was he. the son of Mr.. Stenuc--of
a soldier His tears chokcd him. In
the adjoining room he heard his father
walking 10 and fro, and then open a
window. Down in the street tn" rappcl
was sounded; Il battalion Of mobiles
were getting ready to start. Then there
was no doubt about there being rcnl
battle going on. The unhappy boy could
not keep back his sobs.
What is the matter with you2' asked
hi- father, entering bis room. The child
could bear IL no longer; hc jumped
from his bed and threw himself at his
fathers feet. In so doing the silver
crowns rolled down on the floor
" hat is this' Have you been steal
ipg?' asked the old man. beginning 10
trcmb.c. Then, all in one breath. little
Stcnnc told him that he had been to the
Prussians, and all that hc had done, and
as he was speaking, lac felt his heart
grow lighter; ii comfortcd him to make
the confession. His father listened 10
him with terrible look on his face,
and when the story was told. hr buried
his face in his II lnds and wcpt.
Father. father -" the child tried
10 say. but the old man pushed
him on without replying to him. and
picked up the money.
Is that all2' he asked. Iiitlc Stnnno
made sign that it was; then the old
man took down his gun and cartridges.
and putting the money in his pocket.
said
Il am going to return it to them"
said hc. and without another word
without even turning hi- head. he
went down into the street and juincd
the mobiles who were starting of in the
night. II" was never seen again -
From hc FfeHsh of Hpkonec DIpi,L