Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-15

~ was not ignorant of right and wrong; for |
before that | had been well taught by |
priest, who was very kind to me" (The doc
tor made horrible grimace at the word
"priest.') "But it seemed to me, when one |
had nothing to eat and was beaten, it was a !
different affair. | would not have stolen foy
tartets, | believe: but any one would steal
for bakers bread
"And 50 | suppose" said the doctor, with
II rising snecr, ''you prayed God to forgiv'
you, and explained the case to him at length.
"Why, sirf' asked Jean-Marie II do not
see
Your priest would see, however" retorted
Dcsprez.
"Would hc" asked the boy, troubled Cor
the first time 81 should have thought God
would have known"
"Ehl' snallcd the doctor
81 should have thought God would have
understood me- replied the other "You do
not, | see; but then it was God that made me
think so, was it noti'
Little boy, little boy" said DR.. Dcprcz, II
told you already you had the vices of philo,-
ophy; if you display the virtues also, must
go. | am student of the blessed laws of
health, an observer of plain and temperate
nature in her common walks; and | cannot
u
monster. Do YOU understands
"No, sir said the boy.
81 will make my meaning clear to you,"
replied the doctor "Look there at the sky
behind the bcltry first, where it is so light
and then up and up, turning your chin
( back, ri ht TO tie top Of the dome, where it
is already as hluo as at noon. Is not that a
beautiful color: Doo- it not please the heart
| We have seen it all our lives until it has
grown in with our familiar thoughts. Now"
changing his touc suppose that sky to be
come suddenly Of IA live and fiery amber, like
| the color of clear Goals, and growing scarlet
toward the top-l do not say it would be any
the less beautiful, but would you like it ~
wcll!'
, II suppose not" answered Jcan-Marie.
! "Neithcr do like you,n returned the doc
! tor, roughly IL hate all odd people, and
| you are the most curious little boy in all tue
| world.
JeanMaric seemed to ponder for awhile.
and then he raised his head again and looked
over at the doctor with an air of candid in
| quiry.
"But are not you very curious gentle
man. he asked
The doctor threw away his stick bounded
on the boy, clasped him to his bosom and
kissed him ON both checks.
Admirable, admirable imp!' he cried.
| NV hat morning, what an hour for theo-
| rSt of T., No." he continued, apostrophiZing
| heaven, 81 did not know that such boys ex-
listed; | was ignorant they made them so;
had doubted of my race; and now 1t is
like" he added, picking up his stick, like a
| lovers meeting | have bruised my favorite
staff in that moment of enthusiasm. The
| injury, however, is not grave He caught
the boy looking at him in obvious wonder,
embarrassment and alarm. "Hullon said
| he, ''why do you look at me like that Egad,
| believe the boy despi,es me. Do you de
| spise me, boy!
I "Oh, no." replied Jean Marie. seriously;
/ "only do not understands
| on must excuse me, sir returned the
doctor, with gravity; ~ am still so young
+ Oh, hang him!n he added to himself And
he took his seat again and observed the boy
sardoncaly. "He has spoiled the quiet of
my morning. thought he. II shall be nerv-
GUS all day, and have a febricule when
| digest. Let me compose myself. And SO he
dismissed his preoccupations by an effort of
| the will which he had long practiced and let
his soul roam abroad i'll the contemplation of
the morning He inhaled the air, tasting it
/ critically as connoisseur tastes a vintage
and prolonged the expiration with hygienic
! gusto He counted the little flecks of cloud
along the sky. He followed the movements
of the birds round the church tower-making
long sweeps, hanging poised, or turning airy
somersaults in fancy, and beating the wind
! with imaginary pinions. And i'll this way
, he regained peace of mird and animal COM
! posture, conscious of his limbs, conscious of
the sight of his eyes, conscious that the air
had cool taste, like fruit, at the top of his
throat; and at last, in complete abstraction,
he began to sing. The doctor had but one
air" Malbrouck Sen va-t-en guerre;n even
with that he was on terms of mere politeness
and his musical exploits We're always re
served for moments when he was alone and
entirely happy.
He was recalled to the earth rudely by a
panied expression on the boys face "What
do you think Of my singingfn he inquired,
stopping in the middle of the note; and then,
after he had waited some little and re-
ceyed no answer; what do you think of
my singing" he repeated, imperiously
Il do not like it, faltered Jean Marie
"Oh, come" cried the doctor. Possibly
you are performer yourselfF'
II sing better than that" replied the boy.
I The doctor eyed him for some seconds in
stupefaction. He was aware that he was
angry, and blushed for himself in conse-
quence, which made him angrier. If this
is how you address your MASTER" he said at
last, with a shrug and a flourish of his arms.
Il do not speak to him at all" returned
' the boy. 81 do not like him"
"Then you like me-" snapped Dr. Desprez,
with unusual eagerness.
81 do not know answered Jean Marie.
The doctor rose. Il shall wish you n good
morning. he said. "You are too much for
me. Perhaps you have blood in your veins,
perhaps celestial ichor, or perhaps you cir
culate nothing more gross than reSprabe
air; but of one thing | am ineXpugnably as
sured-that You are no human being, No
boyn-shaking his stick at him-''you are
not human being. Write, write it in your
memory-'I am not human being-I have
no pretension to be a human being-I am a
dive, dream, an angel an acrostic, an illu-
sion-what you please, but not a human
being And so accept my humble saluta-