Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-03-01

him smoking his pipe while waiting Tor
customers.
A happy thought came to Johnny
He entered the little Office, aud said !;
please. sir, l want 10 have a letter
written
1T will cost you ten sous answered
tbe gruff old soldier, Pere Bouin.
sAh! then forgive me Tor troubling
you. l cannot pay
And bowing politely he pulled at his
curely forelock, for he had DO hat 10
dof, and turned to leave.
Not so fast, my little man! cried
Pere Bouin, beginning 10 take an in'
terestin in the urchin. Are you the son
of soldier p
No, Monsieur; I'm mammals son.
was the innocent reply.
The editor smiled.
And you haven't ten sous"
No, indeed; hayen't got even
one.'
Nor your mother, either, most likely.
It's letter to try and get something to
eat-something TO make the pot boil,
eh, my boy?'
Yes, sir, that's just it,
sWen, SIT down. A peniul OF ink
and half sheet paper won't beggar
me-
And going to his desk, Papa Bouin
wrote in his best hand the heading,
Paris, January II, lS-,'and beneath
To Mr.
what's the gentlemau's name,' SON.
ny?'
What gentleman?' asked Johnny
meekly.
what gentlemen? Parblea.! but
you are cool. The gentleman to whom
YOU wish to send this letter.
oh. it Is not a gentleman +!
w ell, lady, then? What lady p
snapped the testy old campaiguer.
johnny had somewhat grown very
red. He lowered his gazc before the
cross looks of Papa bouln and said,
timidly:
No, sir no lady, either. | want to
that isl mean-you see, sir, | want
to send that letter to the angels
Papa Bouin threw down his pen,
took his pipe in bis mouth and crled'
sternly:
you young monkey! didn't think
YOU came here to insult an ancient var
rior. If there was enough of you there
to take hold of, I'd give you a gooi
shaking. Clear out, now Right about
face march y
Johnny did not wait to be told
twice, but started for the door. Seeing
him so meek, Papa Bouin changed bis
mind. and calling him back, looked
curious at him.
Great Cody muttered he. There's
misery enough III this Paris OF ours.
What's your name, bib
Johnny
Johnny whatH
Nothing but Johnny
The old soldier felt his eyes unusual
ly moist, but he only shrugged his
shoulders.
And what do you wish 10 tell the
angels ? he asked.
4 would tell them that mamma has
been sleeping since four O'Clock yester'
der afternoon, and ask them to be so
kind as 10 wake her up. 1 haye tried
and can't
Papa Bouin shuddered. He guessed
aud dreaded the truth.
/ You spoke of food just now, John :
n! p
'Ah, yes! We want some badly,
said the child. Before she went to
sleep. mamma had given me our last
hit OF bread. She herself had no. eaten
anything for two days.
How did yea Try to wake hers'
.AsI always do | kissed her.
Did she BREATHE
T don't know. Don't people breathe
always: p
Papa Bouin did not reply. He turn
cd his face away, for large tears were
rolling down his lurrowed cheeks. His
voice trembled as he went on:
Did you notice anything queer when
YOU kissed herY
Yes she was cold II was 80 cold
in the room?'
And she was shivering, was she
not?'
oh no! She was beautiful--so beau
dfnl Her two hands crossed on hel
breast and whlte-white like wax
But come aud l will show her 10 you''
Pam Bourn took The poor little boy
on his knee, and smptherIng him win
kisses said softly:
Mon paurre enfant. your letter II
written, sent, received aud answered
7 thank God, have more than enough Y
cat Henceiorlh. you dear child, vii
= share it with me. Now bring me l.
your mother
willingly. But why do YOU cr'T
!. T-Iam not crying said The ol
soldier. Men do not weep. But you
, Johnny, you viii cry when you learn
9 but you are my son, now, My CON
D.