The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1890-12-27
THE CUIRASSIER


chilly air.
But in spite OF the singing siaps Of
the saucy wind the boulevard was full
Of people, two crowds, one of which
moved by the force of business neces-
vity, the other more slowly, impelled |
only by curiosity, but both meeting and |
passing in constant succession.
At the corner of street and the
boulevard was stationed little boy
scarcely TO years old His brown, thick,
uncombed hair fell in locks almost TO
his eyebrows, or stood out like bristles
from his temples His jacket, vest and
pantaloms were i'll fitting and remade
from old. worn corduroy. which had
changed from IA yellowish brown to
dirty gray hue They were entirely too
large Tor him. but then ut was reasoned)
he would grow inevitably, whether econ.
omy made this desirable or not. His
face and hands showed the spots of mud
which were spattered ON him short
time before by luxurious carriage
that in passing almost toucheA his
three feet of corner territory He had
small bright, gentle blue eyes, and was
named Charles Froer
His father, who was a street vender of
TOYS. had placed him there some days be-
fore to sell something which he had late
ly invented. 1t was wooden cuirassier
of brave bearing, mounted on spirited
steed. When certain spring was
touched the horse would prance off on
Quick moving wheels, and the soldier
would br;rndish heroically his formula
BILE sabcr, rising and then falling to
pierce some invisible breasts. or to NOW
off the heads of some imaginary host Of
the invading enemy. During this terrific
attack the cuirassier would roll his eyes
ferociously, and his savage mustache
would bristle with fury. What more
alluring and enhancing toy could be
offered to boy with drop of French
bravery in his young heart? The father
sold many of them in walking the neigh,
boring streets near the wonderful
Church of the Madeleine. But he chose
to have his son remain at the street cor
ner, having suspended from his neck q
frame in which Il company of the cuiras
siers were in line in the full splendor OF
paint and gliding.
Every morning he received twenty OF
them, and each one sold for twenty sous
Thus every evening, in mounting to hi
home in Acacia street.-the sixth story o
the house-he must show twenty sou
for each missing cuirassier. Now n
shivered in the misty air; his cheeks
nose and ears were purple, and his littl
chapped hands were buried to the elbow
in his pantaloon pockets. In a feeble
thin, but sweet and melancholy voice h
cried:
1.-The cuirassier, the fine, brave cuiras
sier, for twenty sousl" But the indiffel
ent crowd passed on, leaving him to re
peat his offers as regularly as he ha
heard his father do.
This good man, glider by trade, BIT
now out of his proper work, turned
this business to keep out of idlenes
that he might the better feed his mother
less children He naturally sold man
more Of the toys, because in his goo
naturgd way he added to these attra
tons by his sparkling Partisan Joke
they compelling attention and inducin
the listeners TO buy The little be
could not do this; indeed was rath,
sad while crying, The cuirassier
brave cuiriissers, for twenty sous
Tears were III his voice, but not becaus
of TIE cold: he was accustomed to tina
Nor was he i'll or hungry; on the col
trary he was strong, and his father gay
him plenty to eat.
Why. then. was he shedding tear
and why did he regard with an air
disturbance, almost of fear. the childre
of the wealthy who were tempted
the pretty toys to approach him?
And when he sold one, and the TWEEN
sous sank deep in his pocket why d
signs burst from his curved lips and h
eyes follow with Il jealous and desola
expression the happy child who disa
peared in the crowd triumphantly bea
ing away the gallant soldier? That d;
business had been excellent, only o.
toy relnailing-one only, and ninete
pieces Of silver jingling in his purs
Near him, almost touching him. came
little boy clinging to his mothers han
Although of the same age he was mu
smaller than Charles and very thin,
face being einaciated and wan. 1t see
ed hard for him to walk, for his rig
shoulder projected in hump.
They had never spoken, but they KIM
each other very well by sight, havi
often met The deformed boy was nam
CASTOR Lembelly, one which Char
thought almost too grand for SO small
body. His mother was rich wide
who lived in the first fiat of the house
Acacia street, Of which she was owne
CASTOR stopped before Charles, rec
nizing him with a smile and'a bow.
gazed earnestly at the remaining t
and exclaimed, "Oh. mamma. see
splendid cuirassierp'
His dark trimmed eyes-those of {
condemned to soon close them foreve
opened wider, and he reached his 10
thin, waxy hand TO grasp tie WOO
soldier and touch the spring. lmme
ately the horse gave fierce bound, {
the rider brandished his weapon u
moving the heads and piercing
breasts of an invisible host.
ooh, mamma, please buy hiHl for IN
How much for your cuirassier.
childY" asked the mother.
"Twenty sous, madame"
There is the money" and Gas
Lembelly walked OFF with his prize
The little wooden frame WAS n
empty. but with contracted lips Cha
bent his head He tried hard not
weep. but II was too much for him, {
his forehead almost touching his IL
shelf. bis hands thrust into his peck