McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-04-24

teen.
"Take care of the steps, madame.
They are little difficult"
AS the said steps were built up like a
ladder and very rickety, thought that
to call them little difficult was very
mild way of describing them. But I
scrambled up, and found myself in
pleasant little porch, scrubbed rs clean
as hands could scrub it, and rocking
chair pulled under the thickest festoons
of the white roses.
sYou will sit here in the shade"
said Blanche, drawing one to the chair,
"whilste Elodie and 1gather the straw
berries. Elodie! Elodie, come here,
you and Jean!"
There was shout of delight as the
two children heard their sisters voice
and came flying up. Both Elodie and
Jean were decidedly of the peasanttype,
sturdy limbed and with rather heavy
faces marked contrast to the beau
tiful, intelligent girl who stood beside
me. -
She, however, saw no deficiency in
ssher children" as she called them,
and her eyes sparkled with pride as
she told me of Jeans industry and
Elodie's neatness, and of her dairy
work.
Snow we will leave madame and
gather the fruit. have drawn your
chair under my favorlte rose. My poor
mother brought it from Provence-she
was Provencal-and she nursed and
loved it as if it was child. always
wear one of those roses when they are
in bloom, for they seem part of my
mother. If marry, my 'couronne de
noce' (marriage wreath) shall be made
of them. But if God wills that shall
die young, then my 'couronne de mort
death wreath) shall also be of these
roses. Perhaps I may die in the win
ter when none are in bloom, but hope
not"
"Her death-wreathi" I found my
self softly repeating the girls words
over and over as l watched her fitting
about among the strawberry beds.
Strange words they seemed coming
from one whose exuberant vitality was
so marked. A full, over-running meas.
ure of life seemed given to those 1.-the,
active limbs, that glowing face and
happy, joyous voice.
l did not have to wait long for my
fruit. A bowl piled up with the largest
and reddest of Strawberries, well SUI
CARED, and filled to the brlm with yell
low cream, was soon before me.
Blanche was u charming hostess. By
some right divine she moved and spoke
like lady, and there was no vulgar
business in the manner she served me.
l really ate more than prudence
counselled, for could not refuse to
crafty the look of delight with which
she watched my enjoyment ,f her
treat.
But when had finished, Blanche,
with the grave look on her face again
her business look-set to work to
clear the table and put things to
rights.
"The children can do it," she said;
"but then they are needless, and do
not sweep as well as I would wish.
They will learn in time"
ssHow troublesome it must be to-
have sucha charge" l answer ed,
thoughtlessly; ''and at your age, too. .
s'Troublesome!" In the extremity
of her establishment Blanche stood with
her broom poised IN the air. s.Why,
what should / do without them, al
fone in the world? All! God is very
god to give me their help-my pre-
ous children!" She raised her eyes
(verently as she spoke.
s'Only think, madame! He gives me
alth and strength and love of work
b the best of neighbours, and best of
my mothers Bible. Does madame
bw that my parents were both Hugue-
s, and my mother died holding her
lie in her hand? read in it every
to my children, and they know all
stories in it. All! we are as happy
the birds here in our nest!''
Sod keep you so, my child!" an
cred, feeling rebuked to my Utmost
il.
When a beautiful boquet had been
de for me, it was time to go.
anche and her "children" accompan-
me to the cars, and the last glimpse
had of my little fower-girl showed
/ ID 3 her bright hair blown by the wind
about her lovely sparkling face.
This spring returned to the city.
It was just a year since my last visit
and the very day after my arrival found
me in the French Market. went to
the place where my little friend had
kept her stall, but she was nowhere to
be seen. A stout, red-faced Alsatian
vegetable dealer, whom Blanche had
often pointed out to me as one of her
good friends, sat in her place. She
knew him instantly.
'Ah! here is poor Blanche's mad
ami" she cried. "Did you know that
the poor lamb is dyingPoyes, dyingp''
/ stood dumb and paralyzed, unable
even to ask question.
"Ye, I see madame is shocked.
Blanche had scarlet fever this winter,
and it has left her in consumption, so
the doctor says. All! we had the best
of doctors for her. We are very poor,