Daily Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1876-1884, 1883-07-03
The Little Dauphin,

ory
The little Dauphin is sick, the
little Dauphin is about to die.
The streets Of the old residence
are silent and sad; the bells do
not ring; passing carriages move
slowly-the coachmen keep their
!, horses on walk; outside the
palace curious citizens watch from
behind the ratings the great
Swiss guards with gold laced
paunches in the courtyard, talk
ing together with serious mien,
In the organgerie there was
large meeting Of robed physicians.
Through the windows they can be
seen extending and moving their
long black sleeves, aud doctorally
nodding their periwigs.
Before the door the little Dauph-
ms tutor and riding master walk
slowly to and fro, waiting for the
decision Of the faculty.
And the King? Where is the
King? The King has shut him
self up alone in his rooms, at the
other end Of the chateau. Their
maiesties do not like to be seen
weeping.
AS for the Queen, it is quite
another matter. Seated beside
the pillow Of the little Dauphin.
she weeps so that her beautiful
face is bathed in tears; and she
sobs aloud before everybody, like
common diapers wife.
On his couch Of lace. the little
Dauphin. whittier than the cush-
ions upon which he lies, reposes
with closed eyes. They think he
slumbers; but no the little Duaph
in does not slunber.
He turns toward his mother,
and. seeing that she weeps. he
says to her:
MADAME, the Queen, why do
you crya Do you really believe.
like the rest, that l am going to
dieP"
The Queen would answer, but
her sobs prevent her from speak
ing.
s'Now do not weep, Madame,
the Queen; you forget that ! am
a Dauphin, and that a Dauphin
does not die thus
But the Queen sobs more las.
sionately than ever. aud the little
Dauphin becomes really afraid for
the first time
"Ho, there!" he cries. II will
not per nit Death to take me
1way, and / know we'll how to
prevent him from coming hither
Order forty very strongl ansquenets
to come here at once to mount
guard about my bad. Let hun
dred heavy cannon be rolled into
the court under our windows, and
let the gunners stand by them
night and day. with matches
lighted. And woe to Death il he
dare to come near uss
Then in order to please the
royal child, the Queen makes
q sign. And IN moment - heard
the rumbling OF the heavy cannon
rolling into the vast court. and
forty tall lansquenets, armed
with partisans. range themselves
about the room. They ara all
veteran troopers. with gray mus
tsches.
The little Dsuphin claps his
hands when he sees them. He
recognizes one, and calls him
sLorrainl LorrainH The veteran
makes one stride toward the bed
II love You very much, my
dear old Lorrain. Show me your
great big sword. If Death tiles
to take me he must be killed.
must be not?"
Lorrain answers:
Eyes, monseigneur." But two
large tears trickled down his
bronzed cheeks,
Suddenly the chaplain APP
proaches the little Dauphin's bed
side and commences to talk to
him in very, very low voice.
The little Daulphin listens to him
awhile with a very astonished
look; then, suddenly interrupting
him, exclaims:
II understand very we'll all you
tell me, Monsieur Fable; but
pray inform me could not my
little friend Beppo be induced
to die in my place, snpposing
they give him plenty Of money!
The chaplin continues to talk
in very low voice, and the little
Dauphin looks more astonished
than before.
"All this you have told me is
very sad, indeed, Monsiur PAbbe;
but one thing consoles me. ]
know that on high, in the para
disc Of stars. / shall be the Dauph
in. I know that the good God is
my cousin, and that he cannot
fail to treat me according to my
rank. "
Then. turning to bis mother, he
said:
"Order them to bring up my
finest clothes--my doublet OF err
mine and my velvet shoes; wish
& to appee- bravely dressed before
the angels, and enter Paradise II
the costume Of the Dauphin,"
Yet third time the chaplain
bends forward, and leaning owe
the little DauphiD, whispers t.
him for long time In the mids
~ HE diacnuraa tho royal chiIf