The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-04-07
La TARyIAUDE.

LA TAKB1AUUEs
/ 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
out that ] have not changed one word of
the story, which everybody has heard,
and which I first related to the judges.
am from Bordeaux-a foundling,
brought up anywhere and anyhow. My
first recollections are about a mother
who used to kiss me, and father who
beat me as if were without feeling.
Then I 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 I grew up
solidly. When I left the school I was
strong and muscular. 7 became boat
man; then ] hired myself out as laborer
on those great Aatboats which unload
the merchant vessels around the Gil
ronde..
Rolling hogsheads and casks, carrying
heavy packages-that was my trade, and
hard one; but il pays we'll. I spent my
life at it. A brutal sort of life, if you
like, but an honest one. I never injured
anybody. I earned my bread, and spent
the money as fast as made it. Perhaps
] was little too ready to strike, for I
am quick-tempered, but I had an open
heart and an open hand. And even if /
did fight sometimes for a mere trife, ]
did SO without any real hatred, and never
refused to do q 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,
aud lie down to sleep it off in all sorts of
disreputable places. But liked to have
q little spree with friends, and I liked
the company of the young girls who
served the mild wine, and whose eyes
were mild and gentle. was just twen-
ty three; and was no more afraid of work
than i was of fun.
Well, there came a hard winter that
year. Even at Bordeaux the snow fell
thick and fast; and the wind lashed ones
face like whip. As was going along
close beside wall my foot struck heap
of rags regular tatters; and cry came
out of the rags.
So I stopped down and picked the
bundle up. It was one of the good God s
own creatures, freezing to death there IN
the Snow. I carried the thing under a
gas lamp and looked at it. It was little
girl about twelve or fourteen years old,
and as pretty-as pretty as love.
She had lost consciousness. carried
her into drinking place. and started to
rub her. shake her, and make her ewal-
low few mouthfuls 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. secured
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. It
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
travelling with band of gypsies- South
ern folks, who went through the country
giving gymnastic exhibitions. One day
she 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 nobody child.
She was simply q creature that kind
Providence had sent me to take care of.
At least thought SO then; now ] think
that il was the devil himself who placed
her in my path.
Well, felt queer about her all the
time; but I soon made up my mind
what to do. I rang the bell of Convent
of the Gray Sisters which was beside
the Saint Andre Hospital, right back of
the Place d'Armes. [ saw the Mother
Superior and told her all about my ad-
venture.
II can't possibly keep the child,' I
said; You'll have to take care of it, Sis
fer. As for the money. I'll settle all that
with you"
So we struck bargain, and told the
little one. don't think it quite pleased
her. But, anyhow, she was locked up
there; and I felt relieved.
Then L tell you became steady enough
mo more sprees, no more fights.
thought of nothing but the little one. ]
worked like four men and every Sunday
went to see her. They were not at al
pleased with her. She was always MAX
ing the Sisters mad, and turning the
convent upside down. Then when we
would be alone, she would fling her
arms around my neck and look into my
eyes, so that it seemed to me I saw mil
lions of stars. And she would say to me
between two kisses
Take me away from here; want to
liYe with you. don't like it here
IE was hard to refuse her; for be-
longad to her body and soul, the little
wretchl and she knew it. Still I re-
manned firnn.
When you can read, write and count
well, /" I said, you can leave here-not
before"
Where shall I go then?"
Just wherever you like
And she would always answer:
Z want to go with you, and to your
home; want to be your wife"
She was there three years. At last one
morning the Superioress sent for me.
She said they could not keep the little
one any longer. She was iusolent to