Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-09-30

hdu 10 the CHdlLl,
81 remember Babette when / was here
BEFORE remark.
"Oh! certainly" says Madame Petit
smiling, Babette was here last year, and
no donbt will remain for many more un
Ill she findsia husband, which Madame
wi comprehend is not 50 easy for poor
gil. Nothing changes much in st. Pour
cain"
"Ah!n | say, without thinking, 81
suppose there are not so many marriage
able young men since the war; but YOU
must have seen many changes during that
terrible time"
| regret the words almost as soon as
have uttered them, for the little womans
face loses its brightness, her eyes fill with
tears, and she glances down at her black
dress. ''Ah! indeed; yes, Madame" she
SAYS, with a sigh. II had three sons, and
I gave two to France. And | was not
alone Many a mother in st Pourcain
sent her boys, full of hope and longing
FOR glory, TO fight the Prussians But
alas, alas but few Of them returned !"
! take her hand, and press it in SYM
pathy. Your two boys were in the army
Them" / ask.
No, Madame" she replies sadly:
they were avn in the second general
CONSUMPTION, and no substitutes W, re per-
mitted To be purchased Beside, she
says proudly, though her tears are now
falling fast, my Jean and my Henri were
no towards, and they were wild TO get at
those Prussians"
" But you have one lef?" say.
" Yes, Madame" she replies, brighten
ing, And . good son he is, my Oscar /;
and the good GJd be praised be can
never be drawn for the conscription, for
he is the only son of his mother, and she
is a widow, 1t is great mercy, for there
will be drawing for our commune in
TWO or three weeks" AS she speaks, a
fine young fellow enters the courtyard
with the blue eyes and light curly hair
so often seen among the Norman peas
antry. "Ahi there he is" she exclaims,
her vivacity returning rs if by magic
." ! must go and give him his supper, if
Madame will excuse"
relt to myself soon seek my couch,
and after The fatigue of my journey sleep
mere soundly than have done for many
night
The next morning while | am dressing
hcac the sound Of the pump, and gay
laughter in girlish voice, accompanied
by a mans deeper tones. | look out and
see pretty picture. \ young girl--she
might have stepped out of one of Greuzc's
canvases, 50 fair, SO fresh, SO innocent Is
her facets holding some salad with
both hands under the pump, her sleeves
tucked up, aud showing the dimples in
the soft round elbows; while Madame's
son is pumping as hard as he can, ard
gazing with very evident admiration on
the damsel bcsi him,
80, Oscar. how thou art awkward ~
she says, with cOquettish glance from
under her dark eyelashes, rs harder
swing of his shoulder sends n stream OF
bright water right over the rounded arms.
Thou hast wetted all my sleeves, and
made me so untidy.n
He stoops forward and whispers some.
thing in her ear which | do not catch,
but which makes her smile and blush.
"Chut chut! my children says
Madame from the Kitchen door. "The
English lady sleeps still, and must not be
disturbed; she is not strong"
| hardly recognize myself under this
description, feel SO much revived by my
good nights rest; and | descend, am
coniute Madame's first statement by APP
pearing wide awake before her She
welcomed me with elluSion, and is 50
pleased Ia find me less tired, so anxious
to know whether am quite comfortable,
that feel rs if | were quite one OF the
family, and decide, in ans Ner to Madames
questions, that | viii take my meals in
the SQlif q Bjl}1gcr with the rest of her
guests, instead of in sulky Brttanic maj
eSty in my own room.
Madame's guests are not many. An
occasional coDtp,ts-c0ydgetr;; now ana
again au artist, or an English tourist, who
has tOrsaken the beaten track, and who
m&y linger here for 4 day or two; but
that is all At present she has no one
staying ia the house but myself; but the
rUIT always comes to dinner, mild be
ucyolent old gentleman, who continually
presents me with b9R.JpHS, in spite Of my
being hereto; and an old soldier - who
lives on his tiny pension in this quiet cor
ner of the world drops in on us oCca-
sionallv, when he can afford himself a
better dinner than his usual bread and
Gruyere and fruit. A primitive life
enough, but thoroughly enjoy it.
WHO is that pretty girl 2" | ask my
hostess in the course OF the morning.
All" says she, with pleasant smile,
" that IS Marthe. She is the betrothed of
my son. who loves her, dear Madame, that
il is pleasure to see. She is an orphan,
the daughter cfmy dear husbands brother
in.law, by his first wife; 50 that there Is
no relationship, Madame sees. She has
lived with me all her lite, since she was "a
htle one. She has nice little doti and
when they ae married, | will give over
a., to 81 / la