Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-06-10
THE CRICKET.

A perfectly formed little person, with
balids aud fort duchess might envy, a
miniature wOSuaD, with the fresh but
ffeckied complexion given BY life in the
open air, with two big liquid black eyes,
which matle the hearts beat quicker Of those
on whom they regted-such was Noeline
Farquee, the miller Of Espitos.
A riekety old house built over thcstream,
quite alone ia forest of alders. leaning
over on one ride the life Of the old stones
taken out of them by their veil Of ivy, with
huge piles underneath, which looked like
crutches, resembling continually with a
busy hum like a wOmans constant chatter
such was Noelinc's home. the mill Of Es-
pitos
Although IL was old, the mill had faith
fui customers; and although the miller was
small, she had mnny admirers. Among
them the most devoted were Aristide La
Tiensec, big, red faced fellow, son Of a
neighboring miller, and Jonanin Lacaze, a
pale blonde, who vas serving his appren-
ticeship ia one VI the most important shops
Of tho town.
Aristide, the miller's son, hung about the
mill, his pockets full Of fruit for the ycung
miller. They sat before the milestone and
ate them, while the iron wheel sang it's
rhythmic song 90 the water poured over 1t,
and the -four fcl', white and silent, powder.
ing everything around.
Jonanin, the apprentice, was less fortu-
nate. He could rarely see Noeline, except
on Sunday aftcr mos, when she went TO
he - la. NNs.f rtt 30.
thread. Then indeed Jonanin was flushed
with pleasure.
Hesprcad out before the eyes Of the young
girl his whole store Of thread and needles,
and they were a long time in choosing, for
sometimes their fingers met rs they turned
over the merchandise.
Sometimes on Sunday afternoon Jonanin
had two hours ~ himself and he went to
fish In the stream Of Espitos lie did not
catch much, for the stream had fewer fish
in II than any In the country; but JOnanir
r placed himgc,4 so that he could both watch
tbe'wAdOW Of the mill and his float; he
cOnsOled himself for the immobility Of the
latter by what he saw through the former
At niRhtfall NOelinc came TO look for her
ducks hiOng the banks of the stream, and
the pressure NJ minds which the lovers ex-
changed IN the Sunday twilight was so
sweet that .Vonanin dreamed for nights
about H.
The miller did not hesitate between her
admirers. she preferred Jonanin. She
hardly thought Of any one else. When
she was with him she was perfectly con
tent.
Therefore tho blonde JOnanin wns au.
thOrlzed 10 nay his court 20 her, NoeItne's
rnothcj Invited him 10 come and cat chest
nuts y the mill during the long autumn
evenings
But tho first time no went strange
thing happened The cricket, which al
ways sang ou the kitchen hearth, was sud
denly silent
1T " 40 singular" thought Noeline's
mother. and the young girl turned pale.
Aud when the young man made his sec
ond visit the cricket did just the same. As
soon a. the young man opened tho door
the cricket ceased his SONG.
Then Noolino's mother crossed herself,
and the young miller claspcd her trembling
hands ~ D. Der apron
And - Il time that Junnniu entered the
houss the hostile cricket was silent, and If
they listened carefully they heard strange
noise. an incxplicablc scratching In the
chimney, HE protest Of the little insect.
Noelin0 wcpt nhundantly; her mother
was very unhappy
Both " them. like most peasants, mt.
tachsd much Importance To tho song Of
their crickrt. They knew that one Of these
insects SINGING Tn the house assures happi.
ueaf aud prosperity to its inmates. II IL
was silent when JuuHnin came IL was be
cause Jonaniu brought III luck It was
imperative that he should stay away
Nevertheless N0rline knew that her
suitor WINS good, honest aud laborious; she
seemed to read premises Of happiness In
bis tender gray eyes; but the cricket would
not agree H. would perhaps be dangerous
a. despiso is warming, and when the tired
youth came, with % beating heart and a
Voice broken by emotion, TO ask Noelne's
mother Tor her hand, the mother was grave
and the young miller could hardly keep
from sObbing aloud behind her apron.
Jonanin was refused. They did not give
him the true reason. II would have panied
him too much 81 learn tlpt he would bring
misfortune 10 any house he entered
The mother found plausible reasons TO
give him. and Nucliue went out to conceal
her sorrow. She sat down near the mill
stone Ia the dilnpidated mill, listening TO
the drupa ~ water M they fell on the big
iron wheel. aud when she heard Jonanln
sra aud along the bank Of the stream, muir.
rinuring 90 himself. IL seemed to her that
her heart had stopped beating, and she
prayed 10 God aloud, as II she was afraid
Nho should die
Tho following week Jonann left the
country With bis clothes tied up in n lit
lie bundle be- went away at dusk, when the
last leave. wore shiycring on the trees. lie
went through The alder woods and along
The bank NJ the lit;le brook Of Espitos. The
young miller saw him come. and she stood
xhotifnlrs- b.forc her mill.
"t'uod night, Noclinc," he said slowly.
''Gpod might. Jpuauin, she replied, drop
ping her eyes
Then, ~ be went on she yentured TO ask
"Ars you leaving the country
lie SEEMED o. stagger on the leaf covered
psth.
Eyes. have found place at Orthez."
shn said nothing Her fingers played
with the little silver cross which hung
about her neck. and with troubled eyes she
watched Iuuaniu until he disappeared
among the deepening shadows Of the silent
forvsf.
II
4 small. tlin pale person, with hands
and feet like those Of % skeleton, looking
~ u uatuv had begun Co make a woman
and ftilci. bat with two black eyes much
ruungfr than her face, such was Noeline
fargues. the miller u Espitos, twenty
years after the departure Of Jonanin La
Gaze Women IN the south fade early.
The mill, Older ~ fwonty years, and show