The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-20
name unknown, had fallen from cart and
cut his head. The wound was dressed and
the hoy left with friends.
uaupbin's Death-Bed

The little dauphin is i'll; the little dau-
phin is dying. In all the churches Of the
| kingdom the holy sacrament remains ex-
posed night and day. and great tapers burn
for the recovery Of the royal child. The
streets of the old capital are sad and silent,
the bells ring no more, the carriages
slacken their pace and creep silently along
as they near the house where the little
dauphn, beloved Of al, lies dying. In
the neighl,orhOod Of the palace the
curious towns-peOple gaze through the
ratings upon the beades with gilded
paunches, who walk up and down
as they converse in the courts and put on
important airs. All the castle is in a Hut
ter. Chamberlains and major-domOs run
up and down the marble stairways. The
galleries are full Of pages and Of courtiers
in silken apparel begging in low tones for
news. Upon the wide perrOns the maids Of
honor. in tears. exchange low courtesles
and wipe their eyes with dalntny EN-
broidered handkerchiefs. \ large as
sembage II robed physicians has
gathered IN the Orangery. They can
he seen through the panes, waving
their long black sleeves and inclining their
periwigs with professional gesture. The
Governor and the equeTy Of the little dau-
phin walk up and down before the door,
awaiting anXOusly the decision Of the
learned faculty. >cullions pass by without
saluting them, seeming unaware OF their
presence. The equerry swears like pa
can: the Governor quotes verses from
| Horace. And meanwhile, over there, in the
direction of the stables is heard a neighing;
il is the little dauphins sOrrel, forgotten BY
the hostlers. and calling sadly before his
empty manger. AMI the kingY Where is
his IIighness the King The King has
locked himself up in a room at the other end
Of the castle that he may mourn alone.
Maiesties. you know. do not like 10 be
seen weeping For the queen ii is differ
ent. Sitting by the bedside Of the little
dauphin. she bows her fair face. bathed IN
tears, and sobs very loudly before every
| body. For seven nights she has sat at the
sick bed of the little dauphin. With her
own hands she had held the spoon Of medi-
cine to his lips and given him the little
food-a sip Of wine and light cake or
taste of fruit-all he could take. The
Queen. stern and naughty. had become gen
| tie and kind: the shadow Of coming death
had transformed the stately queen into a
loving mOther-the mother who counts
nothing in life great but the treasure she Is
| TO lose.
On the bed, embroidered with lace, the
little dauphin. whittier than the pillows on
which he Is extended. lies with closed eyes,
asleep: but no, the little dauphin is not
asleep: he hears all. lie turns toward his
mother, and, seeing her tears, puts his
hand carelessly in hers, draws the Jeweled
hand of the Queen to his lips and kisses
il Teverently. "Mme. la Refine, why do
YOU weep? Do YOU really believe that
am going to def I'm order to
humor the royal child the queen gives
the required command. In an instant
the great cannOns are heard rolling IN
the courts. and forty tall lansquenets with
helderds tile in through the open doorway
with ali the pOmp and dignity Of "a royal re-
view, and draw up around the room. They
are all veterans, with grizzly mustaches.
The little dauphin claps his hands
on seeing them. He recognizes one.
and calls: "Lorrain!" Lorrain" The
veteran makes a step toward the
bed. IL love you well, my old lOrraln.
Let me see your big sword. If death wants
10 fetch me. YOU will kill him before he can
| touch me, won't YOU = LOrrain answers:
"Yes. monsegneur," And two great tears
roll down his tanned checks. There Is a
restless little stir i'm the ranks Of the tall
lansQuenets as if they, hardened and rough
ened as they are, feel saddened al the
strange stiffness and sense of loss al tue
death-bed of the little dauphn.
At that moment the chaplain approaches
the little dauphin, and, pointing 10 the cru
ciiX at the side Of the bed, talks 10 him IN
low tones. The little dauphin listens with
astonished air: then, suddenly interrupting
him: IL understand well what you are say
ing. Monsieur rAbbe; but still. couldn't
my little friend Beppo die in my place If
| gave him plenty OF money The chap
lain continued 10 talk 10 him in low
tones, and the little dauphin looks
more and more astOnished. When the chap
lain has finished the little dauphin resumes
with heavy sigh: "What YOU have said is
all very sad, Monsieur rAbbe; but one
thing consoles me. and that is that up there
i'm the paradise Of the stars ! shall still be-
the dauphin. know that the good God Is
nv cousin and cannot fail 10 treat me ac-
cording to my rank" Then he adds. turning
towards his mother: bring me my fairest
clothes. my dOublet Of white. and my pumps
Of velvet. wish 10 look brave TO the
angels and 10 enter Paradise in glory and
splendOr, i'm the dress of "a dauphinn' \
third time the chaplain bends over the little
dauphin and talks 10 him in low tones. In
the midst Of his discourse the royal child
tossed restlessly, interrupts HIM angrily:
"Why. then" cries he, "what is the use 10
mc-tO be dauphin is nothing at all And
refusing to listen 10 anything more, the lit
tie dauphin turns toward the wall and
weeps bitterly. From one OF Alphonse
Daudet's Novels.