The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-12-16
lFrom Macmillan's MagaZine.1
THE STORY OF YVES.
Oct. 2S, 1SS0-6m.
A BRETON LEGEND.
CHAPTER III.
MIR. SMITH, THE cLocKMAKER.

MIR. SMITH, THE cLocKMAKER.
YVES had been travelling all day, and
about five o'clock in the afternoon he
found himself in the outskirts Of the
city Of Bristol.
He looked at the smoky mass Of
houses, from which rose numerous
church spires, while in the harbor the
masts Of many vessels showed in the
clear evening light. Yves did not
stay to look much about him, but at
once asked his way to the principal
street; he asked in French, but the
man he spoke to shook his head.
"Where is Smiff?" he asked;
"Smif'?"
"Yes, my man." was the answer,
there be a good many Smiths in
Bristol city, then, touched by the
forlorn look in Yves's face, the speak
er pointed to sailor who came roll
ing towards them ASK Jack" he
said kindly. Hes been all over the
world; he can parly-voo in any lingo"
Yves did not understand the words,
but he raised his cap and went up to
the sailor who looked at him super
ciliously.
"Well, mounseer," he said, you're
Frenchman by your rig, but you
don't look thorough French. What
do you want?" This last in French.
Yves had been wandering nearly
three years over Normandy and other
parts Of France, and also in England,
and he wore the ordinary French
workingman's blouse and cap. He
nodded to Jack; he understood the
word "Frpnchman."
81 am Breton" he said in French,
land l seek Mr.. Sniff. the clockmaker
of the chief street in Bristol"
Jack broke into hearty laugh, and
poor tired Yves grew first red and then
pale with vexation.
"Sacre bleu! Bristol has many who
have the name Smith in it, he said
in very English French; "but I will
show you the chief street, and help
you to find clock-shop."
Jack staggered along, proud of his
own benevolence, and soon after they
entered a broad, handsome street.
Yves stopped before two clock-shops,
but the name painted over each was a
much longer one than Smith. He
sighed, shook his head, and looked
sadly at his guide.
'Come along, mounseer, we'll try
again; keep your courage up" said
Jack. "We must look alive though,
for see, that fine fellow is a-puttin' up
his shutters Already"
Jack seasoned his talk with sundry
oaths, and with good deal of tobac-
co-juice from his quid.
There came out of the last shop they
had passed, the shop where the shut
ters were being put up, tall, thin
man, middle-aged, dark-skinned, with
face in which thoughtfulness was
the prevailing expression. He glanced
towards Yves's worn but earnest face
with look Of sudden interest; but he
went along more rapidly than Jack
did, and if he had not stopped again
before another shop-door, they would
soon have lost sight of him.
As it was, he disappeared into the
shop, and in a minute or so boy came
out with shutter in his arms ready
to put up. By the time the second
shutter was brought, Yves had reached
the shop-it was a clockmaker's, and
across the top Of the door, in large
gold letters, was John Smith, Watch
maker and Jeweller."
Yves gave an exclamation of de-
light, and pointed to it; Jack took oc-
casion to swear and to shift his quid
well done, my hearty. I'm blow.
ed if this amt the shop" he said
clapping Yves on the shoulder. III
come in and see fair play" he said
for his curiosity was reused to know
what this poor foreigner could have tC
do with a well-to-do Bristol trades
man.
The shop-door stood open, and Yve'
went in. The shop was large, anC
handsomely fitted up; there was every
sign of comfort and prosperity abou
it, and behiud the desk on one sid,
stood the tall, dark stranger who haC
passed them, kissing the cheek of ;
young girl, whose fair curls stragglet
over his shoulder.
They both started at the sound o
footsteps, and the girls pretty fac
grew rosy.
Run away, Eileen" said Mr.. Smith
I'm busy"
"Yas napa;n and Eileen escaped in