Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1880-03-20

VI " SouhOi lHdhl why 10 tO'
"Nothing-never mind. You said
you would give me money. Give it to
me, in Heavens name"
"Hold," answered the traveller.
"Your home isnot far from here"
"Home! o, what is home to the
starvingP".
The old man was moved, for there
was depth of agony in the tones of the
youths voice which was not to be with
stood by any one possessing ordinary
feelings.
"What is your name" he asked.
"Never mind"
"But | won't expose you"
"TrulyP"
81 will not"
"But why should l tell you?
You have disarmed me, and | am at
your mercy. Yet, as God is my
Judge, had / known you were an old
soldier would not have stopped you.
l would have lain in the woods and
starved first. Give me money-a few
sous.n
"Tell me your name"
The youth hesitated, but finally he
replied: eff you are true soldier l
should take your word. My name is
Pierre Chollet."
"And have you no parentsarn
GA mother"
"And she lives not far from hereP"
"Not far"
And cha 10 ctaryin0pb
"Aye.n
"Then let us hasten and find her.
| may help her, and, moreover,
get lodging for myself and my
crutch. Come, it is cold here. Lead
the way"
"You will help my mother if you
goP"
"To be sure l will"
"And you won't lisp a word of
thisP"
"Not without your consent"
"Then follow me-"
Thus speaking the youth turned and
started on.
"Are you acquainted with this road P"
the old man asked.
"Every inch of it," was the reply.
"Then 60 ahead and pick out
the best path, and l can get along
faster"
At the end of about twenty minutes
they topped little hill, and the lights
could be seen in the village of st. Ger
vais; but before they reached the vii
lage the guide turned off to the right
into a narrow lane and finally came to a
small hut which the youth said was his
home. He opened the door and went
in, and the old man followed him.
There was only one room, and that had
floor of clay. In the fire place burned
few faggots, while close by were
heaped lot more-boughs, twigs and
stuff such as might be dragged out Of
the swamp close by. In an old arm
chair sat an elderly female with heI
hands folded in her lap, and close by
her was a cat. The woman's face could
be seen by the glimmer of the fire, and
it was thin, haggard and pale. She
looked up as her boy entered and in 8
feeble tone asked:
| ~ Dlu Se ullu III, L lcIlC9
81 hope so mother. A kind soldier
has come home with me and he vii
help u.s."
The old lady started up and gazet
around. She saw the stranger and {
look of hope rested upon her features
"Haven't ye lightp" asked thu
stranger.
No-only the fire." answered the
boy.
"Then wen have better one," th'
soldier said. "I've candle in my hav
ersack, and bit of food, too"
As he spoke he sat down in a chair
the only other one in the room, anC
having unslung his haversack he over
hauled the contents until he came t.
the candle. This he gave to Pierre ant
bade him light it. An old wooden can
dlestick was found and the candle wa
soon burning. The soldier could nov
STE the faces of his hostess and her sol
mere plainly. The former was a mill
looking, full-browed woman, with
prayerful cast of countenance, and mus
have once been extremely beautiful
She was certainly fifty years of age, fo
her hair was very gray and time ha
been busy with its indelible touches
Her son was not over nineteen, and wa
handsome youth. He was pale an
wan now; but his brow was full, hi
eyes large, dark and brilliant.
"You suffer muchP" said the soldier
addressing the hostess.
Every much," she returned. Z"
have been very sick, but l am gettin
better now. Yet my sickness has cate
up every thing we had, and my nobl
boy has sacrificed all his earnings; ant
worse than all else, he can't find wor
now to do. The crops are all garnere
, and the barns closed. Yesterday h
5 went to the house of rich man to beg
I and he was Kicked"
"No, no, mother-not kicked!" e.
1 claimed the youth, quickly. " He di
a not dare to dc that. He said he woul
s kick me if came there again. "
S "But are there not others who woul
help you?" asked the old man.
s "They might, returned Pierre
? "but the sou-prefect of police swol
that he would send me off if he caugl
e me begging again. What could l d
e sirP"
f "But the sou-prefect is villair
n What does he mcanp"
# "He is angry with me. He wantt
me in the harvest time to work for hi
d for five sous day, and l wouldn't, b
\ cause better man gave me fiftet
b sous. "
"He is a perfect villain. But come
l Wen eat something. My old haversaC
has something else in it besides candle
f | don't travel without something
d guard against the danger of being b
9 nighted in the wood. :"
As he spoke he pulled a loaf of bro;
y and piece of cold boiled beef from h
r old provision bag, and then made Il
:, mother and son eat. He assured the