The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-08-07
RIDGWAY, ELK COUNTY, PA, THURSDAY.

division was honestly made, and, when
he heard the fine crowns sounding under
his blouse and thought of the future
games of galoche, little Stenne thought
his crime was not so dreadful after all.
But when he was alone, the unhappy
child-when at 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-by regarded him severely, rs
if they knew from whence he 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 S enne been SO good
humored and joyous as he was that
night on coming home. Good news had
been received from the provinces the
country's affairs were going better.
looked at his gun hung on the wall and
he said to the boy, with hearty laugh:
Hey! my son, how you would go after
the Prussians, if you were old enough! 7"
About eight o'clock they heard the
sound of cannon. 1t is at Aubervil-
liers; they are fighting at Bourgetr' said
the old man. who knew where all the
forts were situated. Little Stenne grew
pale, and, feigning great fatigue, went to
bed, but not to sleep. The cannons were
laundering continuously. He pictured
to himself the sharpshooters going at
night to surprise the Prussians, and fall
ing into an ambuscade themselves. He
recalled the sergeant who had smiled at
him, and saw him stretched out there
in the snow and so many others with
him! The price of all that
blood was hidden there under his pillow,
and it was lie, the son of Mr.. Stedne-of
a soldier His tears choked him. In
the adjoining room he heard his father
walking to and fro, and then open a
was sounded; battalion of mobiles
were getting ready to start. Then there
was no doubt about there being real
battle going on. The unhappy boy could
not keep back his sobs.
What is the matter with youp" asked
his father, entering his room. The child
could bear it no longer; he jumped
fathers feet. In so doing the silver
crowns rolled down on the floor.
"What is thisP Have you been steal
irgp" asked the old man, beginning to
tremble. Then, all in one breath, little
Stenne told him that he had been to the
Prussians, and all that he had done, and
as he was speaking, he felt his heart
grow lighter; it comforted him to make
the confession. His father listened TO
him with terrible look on his face,
and when the story was told, he buried
his face in his h ands and wept.
Father, father -!' the child tried
to say, but the old man pushed
him on without replying to him, and
picked up the money.
" Is that all" he asked. Little Stenne
made a sign that it was; then the old
man took down his gun and cartridges,
and putting the money in his pocket,
said:
II am going to return it to them,"
said he, and without another word
without even turning his head, he
went down into the street, and Joined
the mobiles who were starting Off the
night. He was never. seen again!-
From the French of 14lphonSe Dautlet.