The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-04-07
PierrOt, the Faithful.

was hurrying along the Boulevard de
Comedies. A female rag-picker, pale
and famished, led by the bride poor
little donkey, which seemed hundred
years old, and which dragged poor little
cart full of the rubbish of the street
rags, broken bottles, torn papers, worn
out skillets, crusts of bread-the thou
sand nothings which are the fortune of
the rag-pickers. The woman had done
good work since midnight, but the dom
key was ready to drop. He stopped
short, as if he had made up his mind to
go no farther. His legs trembled and
threatened fall. He hung his head
with resignation, as if awaiting the
stroke of death.
The sight touched and arrested me.
A man would have cursed and beaten
the poor beast to arouse him; the
woman looked at him with an eye of
motherly pity. The donkey returned
the look, as if saying, " You see it is
all over. l have done my best for you
night after night, because l saw your
misery was greater than mine. You
have treated me well, sharing your
bread with me, and your neighbours oats
when you could get them; but l am
dying at last"
The woman looked at him and said,
gently, "Come, come, dear Pierrot, do
not leave me here" She lightened the
load by taking out basket of broken
bottles. "COme now," she said, as if
talking to child. "You can get along
nicely now." She put her shoulder to
the wheel, but the donkey did not
move. He knew that he had not
strength to walk to st. Ouen, his
wretched home. She still coaXed him.
How do you think we can get along
this way, Pierrot? To be sure, could
drag the cart. But / can't put you in
it, and you would be ashamed to be
dragged after it," The donkey raised
his ears, but no move.
was going to speak to her, when she
ran into the nearest bake-shop. The
donkey followed her with anxious eyes
he seemed fearful that he would die
without his mistress. He was so little
you would have taken him for Pyre-
mean dog. He had grown gray in the
harness. A few tufts of gray hair re-
manned here and there on his emaciated
body. He looked like a mountain
burned bare in many places. His re-
signed air showed mind free from
worldly vanities. He was far past the
age when one strikes attitudes. He was
almost transparent in his leanness, but
his face was all the more expressive.
1t had something almost human in its
intelligence and goodness. Why had he
been condemned to such suffering?
The rag-picker soon returned, bring
ing piece of bread and lump of
sugar. The donkey turned and showed
his teeth, like old piano keys. But al
though it was his breakfast time, he
had no more strength in his mouth than
in his legs. She gave him the sugar.
He took it as if to oblige her, but
dropped it again, and the same with
the bread. All, what shall | do?" said
the rag-picker. She thought no more
of her cart. She was full of anxiety
for her friend Pierrot. "Pierrot! " she
cried again. Two great tears came tC
her eyes. She took his head in hei
arms and kissed him like child. The
caress did what nothing else could do
The donkey reused himself and brayed
as in his best days.
| approached and said to the woman
"You seem to be in trouble"
"Oh!" she said, crying, A." if you knew
how love this beast / saved hin
from the butchers four years ago. Ii
those days / had only hod. l have
raised seven children with my hook
The father is gone and one other, ant
my eldest daughter was taken only
fortnight ago It's no use, you cam
take good care of them when you worl
in the streets all night"
One of my friends passed by. / SAT-
Let us buy this donkey and put hin
on the retired list. This good woman
will take care of him. How much di
the donkey cost?" ] asked
"Ten francs"
eco back and buy another donkey
and take care OF this one," / said, put
ting the money into her hand
That evening the woman came to m
in tears. / understood at once.
"Oh, sir, he is gone!"
Z" Poor Pierrot?"
Eyes sir. We got to st. Ouen on
way or another; but when he came il
sight of our hut he fell on his knees
] tried to raise him up, but this time
was all over. Think of it! he wante
TO die at home after finishing his day
work. "-Johounots Natural History.
A WOMAN who is weak, nervous an