The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1880-05-26

And she lives not far from here
6 Not far.n
g And she is starving ~
cay"
"Then let us hasten and find her. l may
help her, and, moreover, get lodgings for my
self and my crutch. Come, it is cold here.-
Lead the way"
"You will help my mother if you gos"
"To be sure will.''
"And you won't lisp word Of this !?
Not without your consent
"Then follow me.,'
Thus speaking, the youth turned and start
ed on.
!" Are you acquainted with the road " the
old man asked.
" Every inch Of it,
"Then go ahead and pick ont the best path
and 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. Gervais but before
they reached the village the guide turned off
to the right into narrow lane, and finally
came to 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 Fireplace burned few faggots, while
close by we're heaped lot more twigs and
stuff such as might be dragged out of the
swamp close by.
In an old arm chair sat an elderly female
with her hands folded in her lap, and close by
her was a cat.
A womaus face could be seen by the glim-
mer of the fire. and il was thin, haggard and
pale.
She looked up as her boy entered, and in a
feeble tone asked
" Did you find it, Pierre ?"
81 hope so, mother. A kind soldier has
come home with me- and he will help us"
The old lady started up and gazed around.
She saw the stranger, and look of hope
rested upon her features.
Haven't ye a light !" said the stranger.
"No--only the fire.
"Then wen have a better one, y the soldier
said. have a candle In my haversack and
a bit of food, too.'
As he spoke he sat down in chair, the only
other one in the room, and having unslung
his haversack he overhauled the contents un-
til he came to the candle.
This he gave to Pierre and babe him light
it, An old wooden candlsstick was found,
and the candle was soon burning.
The soldiercould now see the faces of his
hostess and her son.
The former was mild looking. full browed
woman, with prayerfu cast of countenance,
and must have once been extremely beautiful.
She was certainly fifty years of age, for her
hair was very gray, and time had been busy
with its indelible touches.
Her son was not over nineteen, and was
handsome youth. He was pale and wan now,
but his brow was full, his eyes large, dark
and brilliant.
You suffer much ! " said the soldier adj
dressing the hostess.
every much" she returned. al have
been very sick, but am getting better now.
Yet my sickness has eat up everything we
earnings; and, worse than all else, he cannot
find work now to do. The crops are all gath
cred and the barns closed Yesterday he
went to the house of rich man to beg, and
he was kicked"
emo, no. mother, not kicked !! y exclaimed
the youth quickly. |" He did not dare to do
that. He said he would kick me il came
there again.
But are there no others who would help
you T? :" asked the old man.
They might" returned Pierre, but the
SON. perfect of police swore he would have me
sent off if he caught me begging again. What
could L do, sir p"
"But the son-perfect is a villain What
does he mean ;"
s'He is angry with me. He wanted me in
the harvest time to work for only five sous
day, because better man gave me fifteen
SOUS"
" lie is perfect villain. But come-welI
eat something. My old hayersack has some
thing else in it besides candles. l don't trav-
eel without something to guard against being
benighted in the woods"
AS he spoke he pulled loaf of bread and
piece of cold boiled beef from his old provis-
ion bag, and then made the mother and son
eat.
He assured them that he had eaten hearty
supper, and he had money to buy more SO
without further ceremony they began the
meal--the first they had eaten since the day
before, save the milk they had been able to
get from one old goat which they had yet
retained.
Tears stood in the old soldiers eyes as be
sat and saw the boy and his mother eat, and
when they we're done they turned and blessed
him.
The woman seemed much revived, and as
her son put some more faggots upon the fire
she turned and spoke to her guest. Hervoice
trembled as she spoke, and tears were in her
eyes.
q You are soldier9" she said.
EYES, the old man replied, turning his
gaze upon the fire instead of upon his ques-
toner.
"Have you been long 10 the army ?"
"Eiobteen years.