Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-02-10
4 oHELD's EECoEEEoE10E or zH1CE
Z

a 0HTLDss EEOOLEEoEIOE or EHACE
ERAE
was a little girl about z years Of
age when I first recoIlect seeing Mr..
Ihackeray. We lived then in Paris
my birthplaee). as my father was the
Paris correspondent Of several leading
English newspapers MY mothers
evening receptions was very popular;
her salon was a rendezvous where the
artistic and literary celebrities met
in order to converse. Conversation
was at that period almost a fine art 4;
men and women $50 have been told,
as was far to young to iudge) enjoyed
eausterie, and they knew how to talk
Among the many interesting people
who gathered around my father and
mother. none made such a vivid i'm
preston on my chilish imagination as
IhackeraY. He is the central figure
which stands out in bold relief from
the dim surroundings. can distinctly
recall the big. white head, the specta-
sunny smile, which positively iIlumined
his countenance and made it almost
beautiful. grew even to love the
broad, broken nose, and used to Won
der how boy at any period could have
been so wildly audacious as to punch
that feature I wondered at the soft
ness and genJIeness of his voice and
manner, and why so great an author
should care to come among us little
children in such a simple, friendly
way. He had a formidable appear
ance, being over six feet, and broad in
proportion. We children were like
pilgrims clustering around the knees
Of Brobdingnag. Mr.. Thackeray was
our favorite giant But evidently he
was not too tall or too great to take
an interest in our childish games. How
often has he sat among us, inquiring ten
DERBY about my dolls. He remembered
all their names, and had made out a
genealogical tree, so that every POtJpee
mad a distinct history Of her own. One
late afternoon, after having told us de-
lightful stories, Mr. Thackeray re-
marked that ne must leave us at once,
he was so terribly hungry. We eoaxed
him to remain, and told him that We
really could give him a good dinner.
There is nothing my dears, you can
give me, " he answered, with a funny
little sigh, "for I could only eat the
chop Of a rhinoceros or a slice from an
elephant. @Yes I tan. exclaimed my
Swear old sister. We saw her disap-
pear into a cupboard. She emerged a
few seconds after with a look of tri-
umph on her fat little face, holding in
her hands a wooden rhinoceros and an
elephant from her Noah's ark, and put
ting the two animals on a plate, she
handed them with great gravity to Mr..
Thackeray. Never can I forget the
look of delight on the great mans face;
how he laughed and rubbed his hands
with glee, and then, taking the child
up in his arms, kissed her, remarking:
4Ah, little rogue, you already know the
value of a Iissl" Then he asked for a
knife and fork, smacked his lips, and
pretended to devour the elephant and
chinoceros. Another time when Mr..
Thackeray called We children were in
bed was the only one not asleep.
L had listened to his pleasant voice,
talking to my father and mother in the
salon, when our bedroom door was
cautiously opened, and in marched Mr..
Thaekeray, my mother following him,
holding a candle. There were three
little iron beds all in a row; saw him
smiling at us, and then, putting his
hand in his pocket, he murmured;
Now for the distribution of medals!"
and chuckling, he deposited on each
Of our pillows a bright five-franc piece,
remarking: precious little ones! they
will think the fairies have been here.
-Heuriette COrkTG'l, IN Temple Bar.