Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1888-02-02

and passengers, ii passengers there were
had persisted. Theophile Latrere was the
first to speak. de beckond them all to
come near, and in voice that could be
heard even in the tIlmult of waves, he
said Lies Poissons Rouge have now a
duty given to them. We came here for
pleasure, and Providence has given US
the greatest prize of earth-a life. Shall
we adopt this little oneiH
The idea was novel 10 these vounp
gallsnts, and there was connected with it
a sort of distributed parental responsible.
ity which was exceedingly hattering to
each of them. The result of it was that
the little one was taken on board one of
the feet, the fishing forgotten, and the
expedition early en- the morning after
the storm started for New Orleans.
Reaching here, the infant was put in
charge of competent nurse and regular
monthly meetings of its fathers took
place, at which its future was earnestly
discussed. Constant inquiry had failed
to discover even the name of the schoon-
er, and there remained no clew to ident-
ify the little one save the blanket in
which it was sleeping when dashed on the
sand. In one corner of this, exqnisitely
embroidered, was the word "Delice."
Advertisement was made in the papers,
anxious investigation made everywhere,
but the schooner and her crew were never
known III the old Crescent City.
If ever there was a little girl that had
everything her heart could wish for,
Delice was that girl. When she was
year old she possessed thirteen rattles,
six alligator's teeth set in silver, five
coral necklaces, half dozen little gold
shawl pins, four swinging cradles, beau
tiful altar at the end of her little room,
with a Madonna looking down upon her
bed. Over the mantelpieoe, gloomy in
its depth of shadow, was an oil painting
from one of Delice's new fathers, repre-
senting the wave whipped beach of the
Chandeliers, with a wreck going to
pieces half 8 mile off shore and tub
rising on the crest of great sea.
1t was not little amusing TO see how
Jealous of feminine attentions to their
charge these Poissons Rouges were They
told their sisters aud mothers that the lit
tie one was we'll cared for and needed
none of their time. The old nurse, they
said, was experienced, and they them
selves knew thing or two now about
babies.
Thus the months had crept away, and
dolls and spelling blocks had taken the
place oG rattles dice could tell the
names OF all her fathers, some twenty
two now, for some of them had dropped
off and were carried ont upon that road
which the ave. age dead Orcanian must
travel. When she was years old she
could command at least five carriages of
one afternoon, and it was no uncommon
thing to see her out driving with some
six or eight youEg gentlemen, superbly
mounted, riding in attendance. Les
Poissons Rouges were proud of their lit
tie beauty, and great sturdy fellows, with
mustaches that were the observed on
opera nights, would hand the tiny fairy
TO the carriage with the grace of a cour-
tier, and when she smiled sweetly and
said, "Merci, Papa Raoul," or Yseult,"
they would blush like big boys. Her ex-
penses were so triiliug in comparison
with the funds in the exchequer of the
paternal organization that it was resolv-
cd to invest certain sum annually,
and so on her fifth birthday, for they had
selected a birthday for her, she was as
well cared for alittle girl as any III the
state; and as for beauty, why to ask the
question was 20 elevate to the zenith the
eyes other twenty-five fathers and to
bring to their mouth twenty-five right
hands with finger tips punched together,
which they would kiss as if the flavor
were divine, and simultaneously calculate:
"Comme cal" The truth is that her big
black eyes, delicately chiseled face, sym
metrical limbs and dignifed bearing
made her appear rs of royal rather thar
plebeian blood, and she led her followers
by silken cords, young as she was.
They came the day herein5ofo.c men.
toned, the aseemblage at the Cafe Bien-
venu, the silence and the anxiety. four
DAYS before Delice had com planned OF
feeling ill-her head Ached and her eyes
we're inhamed. -Four doctors were at once
sent for, aud after consultation 1t was
announced that Delice had the scarlet
fever. Her nurse and guardian occupied
a largo private residence near MiguePs,
and SO it was that the cafe was made the
headquarters of Les Poisons Rougea,
that news might be received every few
minutes. At first there were no serious
symptoms, but en- the third night she
grew worse. She asked for Theophile,
Raul JULES, Henri, end the rest of her
beloved papas. These big bronze fellows
would close the gate gently, walk on tip
too down the garden walk between the
camellias and cross the veranda so quietly
the cat could not hear them.
In the room an angel face looked up
from it's nest Of soft pillows and smile
played about the crimson, feverish lips.
She held out her hand, spoke few sim pie
words, and the silent figure would with
draw and go across the street to Miguets
with a lump in his throat and his eyes
much infamed. Then matters began to
grow more serious. No vehicles must
pass that way. There should be more
quiet over there at Miguefs, and bulletins
would be sent to the cafe every hour, so
that they might know how Delice was
progressing.
About two O'Clock that afternoon the
young gentlemen were startled by the
slamming of window shutters over at Mile
Delice's. They rose from their tables,
leaving their orgeat untasted ans started
for the sid walk. They started over. Ola
Latiche was opening al the windows up
stairs. Why was this? Then a little ne
gro girl came running toward Miguers.