The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-07-12
LA TARPIAUDE.

really do not know, said Jairas, why
I should tell You these things, for you
will probably not believe me, and never
theless it would be easy for you to find
oat that have not changed one word of
the story, which everybody has heard
and which first related to the judges.
am from Bordeaux founding,
brought up anywhere and anyhow. My
first recollections are about a mother
who used to kiss me, and father who
beat me as if 1 were without feeling.
Then 1 don't remember anything more.
Mother was dead, and father had gone
away somewhere. Some charitable folks
put me in Brothers school, where they
taught me to read and write. That was
all I was thick-headed, but grew up
solidly. When I left the school I was
strong and muscular. became a boat.
man; then 1 hired myself out as laborer
on those great fatboats which unload
the merchant vessels around the Gil
ronde.
Rolling hogsheads and casks, carrying
heavy packages-that was my trade, and
a hard one; but il pays we'll. spent my
life at it. A brutal sort of life, if you
like, but an honest one. I never injured
anybody. l earned my bread, and spent
the money as fast as ! made it. Perhaps
1 was a little too ready to strike, for 1
am quick-tempered, but I had an open
heart and an open hand. And even if l
did fight sometimes for mere trifle, /
did so without any real hatred, and never
refused to do a favor for friend.
must confess that did like to drink
alittle once in while but not too much.
No one ever saw me do as some men do
-stagger from one cabaret to another,
and lie down to sleep it off in all sorts Of
disreputable places. But I liked to have
the company Of the young girls who
served the mild wine, and whose eyes
were mild and gentle. l was just TWEEN
ty-three; and was no more afraid of work
than was of fun.
Well. there came a hard winter that
year. Even at Bordeaux the snow fell
thick and fast; and the wind dashed ones
face like whip. As 1 was going along
close beside a wall my foot struck heap
of rags-reeular tatters; and cry came
out of the rags.
So l stopped down and picked the
bundle up. 1t was one OF the good God S
own creatures, freezing to death there In
the Gpow. l carried the thing under a
gas lamp and looked at it. 1t was little
girl about twelve or fourteen years old,
and as pretty-as pretty as love.
She had lost consciousness. 1 carried
her into drinking place. and started to
rub her. shake her, and make her swal-
Low few mouthfuis of hot wine.
Well, sir. when she opened her eyes
when she looked at me with those great
pupils OF hers. black as tar and soft as
velvet, it was all up with me. l secured
a room for her in the lodging house
where / lived The little one made me
afraid of her, somehow; she made me
feel in way had never felt before. 1t
was just like when one begins to go
mad.
Well, next day, when she had had q
good sleep. saw her again, and talked
to her. Where did she come from? She
had come from everywhere; she had been
travelling with band Of gypsies- South.
ern folks, who went through the country
giving gymnastic exhibitions. One day
Bhe ran away, because the man who
called himself her father had threatened
her terribly. She had been wandering
all through Bordeaux. hiding here, beg
ging there, perishing with hunger and
cold. In short, she was nobodys child
She vas simply creature that kind
Providence had sent me to take care Of
At least thought 50 then; now / thinl
chat it was the devil himself who placed
her in my path.
Well, 1 felt queer about her all the
time; but / soon made up my mind
what TO do. rang the bell Of Convent
OF the Gray Sisters which was beside
the Saint Andre Hospital, right back o.
the Place d'Armes. l saw the Mother
Superior and told her all about my I'D
venture.
Il can't possibly keep the child"
said, you'll have 10 take care Of il, Sis
Tar. As for the money, I'll settle all tha
with you"
SO We struck bargain. and told tn
Ettle one. don think il quite pleaset