The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-01-19

ooh, SURELY 1 would throw myself
into the fire for you"
My situation at this time was some
what improved, as had accomplished
some work for a bookseller, and an old
sharper of the "Place de la Bourse" en-
gagged me TO write some verses for an
unknown party, paying me sou and
selling them for 10 to the satisfaction
of everybody. Jack could have assist
ed me somewhat, ss my verses at that
time must have been atrocious, but
when alluded in any way to such a
desire, he would say:
81 would throw myself into the fire
for you, dear Antoine, you know, but
YOU" One day l said to him: my
good Jack, 1 have worked all night on
these papers, will you carry them to
the printing Office for me?"
He replied "My dear Antoine. you
know that L would throw myself into
the fire for you, but Notwithstanding
my desire to be useful, can not act as
your servant"
This was just, he was quite right.
Il
sharper of the "Place de la Bourse"
died at this time, and the bookseller
failed. Jack, who as L have already
said was so very delicate in feeling.
again disappeared. One morning L
found him smoking cigar at the door
of MERGERS shop.
"What are you doing here, Jack?" L
inquired.
"This is my home," he replied.
"What do you say?"
IL have married the mistress of the
shop"
mile. Minette?"
"The same"
could not help smiling
II know why you SMILE" cried Jack. "
"You mistake me-"
mo, do not. But there is mercy
for all sins"
"Are you happy?"
eyes, business is very good"
"I wish / could say as much"
"My good Antoine" said he, "you
know / would throw myself into the
fire for you, but You understand that it
would be impossible for me to have you
here"
He was right Besides, must own
poor Minette. This little shop o nan
was anything but happy. Jack soon
squandered all of her money, and she
was obliged to 60 back to w rk in the
city again. "My wife was lade," said
Jack, land have left her. / wish to
live alone hereafter, and L am going into
business"
While waiting for said business, Jack
lived with me as formerly. l did not
feel satisfied with the arrangement, but
he was always saying:
"My dear, good Antoine, what should
I have done without you? What would
have become of me? As child you
fought my battles, as young man you
divided your bread with me- as a man
you sheltered me under your roof, your
table is mine and your freside is my
refuge; but [ am not ungrateful; be-
lieve me, / would throw myself into the
fire for you"
Every good" said one day, "just do
me the favor of taking this letter at once
to the editor of the Etoite dL SOjr; he
offers me a situation as reporter, which
have long desired, and he wishes an
immediate reply"
II will fly with it," cried Jack with
enthusiasm.
dressed myself with care and then
fastened to the Odeon, where there
was to be a first representation of
a great play. During one of the en-
tr'actes / saw the editor among the
crowd, and made my way to him in
order to express my thanks. "You have
nothing to thank me for" said he in the
coolest manner. II asked for an imme-
date response and you did not reply;
so much the worse for yourself, as L
have row given the position to Isa-
dore Grattesel" / turned away, utterly
crushed.
On entering the house l saw Jack eat
ing plums in the room of our neighbor,
Nine. Moreau, and at the same time
making speech to the assembled com
pany.
why did you not carry E.y letter? ?" 1
cried, breaking in upon him.
Friend Antoine" said he. trembling,
81 am a man capable of the greatest de-
votion, but / am not an errand boy. Ask
me to throw myself into the fire for you
and L will do it, but never ask me to
carry letter"
wanted to kill him on the spot; but
controlled myself, for that would have
been sin, but who has not sinned once
In his lifetime?
Friend jack said 1, "leave me and
go where you please. L want friend,
and as 1 rarely fall into the fire, 1 have
no need of a fireman"
Il see," replied Jack; snow that you
are so successful you desert your
themselves into the fire for you"-BoS-
tom Journal