Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-10-30

'an ..er Ir.- ..,c. C-,!euI what e ms.
fortunep cried the poor woman sorrow
fully
She thought no longer of getting her
goods to her house; she thought OF moth
ing but her old friend Pierrot.
"Pierrotl PierrotP' she called again.
She OWNED that the ass was lost; two
great tears glistened in her eyes. She
opened her arms, took his head in her en-
brace and kissed him as if he had been
beloved child,
And swear to you, my friend, that the
ass himself let fall two tears!
This caressing, too. apparently per-
formed miracle, translating itself first
by cry from the heart-the ass logan to
bray as in his better days. feared. myself,
that it was rs the cry of the swan, but no,
Pierrot had revived, had returned to him
self.
Deeply moved by the spectacle I ap
preached and held out my hand to the
worthy woman
ut is well, madame. this thing that. you
have doner' said |.
"Ahl monsieur" said she, sobAing bit
terly, ''if only you knew how I love this
beastl Figure to yourself that it2was |
that saved him from the abattoir, seven
years ago, that was, and when had only
a hottie, miserable basket for the back
and my pick hook with which to provide
for seven children. The good God is Just
monsieurl The father, you see, has gone
with another; rascal stole from me nv
eldest girl; four other children-for have
had twelve, monsieur-died at the breast
for one has not good milk when one must
work and toll all day and night Iong-ana
the youngest of the twelve, to save its life,
was forced to place in founding asy
Ium.
"This ass, monsieur, has been my only
consolation, better companion, too, than
ever was my man to me. With him one
has never to worry to keep him from the
cabaret or run to escape his beatings, no
more than he has to run, my little Pierrot,
who never was beaten. Is 1t not so, my
friend, my dear little ass?"
And truly the ass had the air of compre
hending and joining in the conversation
He pricked up his ears, seemed to put on
his thinking cap and to try to give an
opinion.
An acquaintance passed at that moment
and asked what l was doing there
Making new friend, my DEAR" said l,
patting and smoothing Pierrot's notified
sides with feeling of tenderness that was
steadily growing upon me.
HE is doubtless a steed of spirit, that"
resumed the newcomer critically, "but GER
tainly he is not handsome"
"You think SOP" said /; land l find him
superb In his place, let me tell you, my
friend, you would look very much worse
He came out at IL last night and has never
been to bed at all. But stayl you arrive at
an opportune moment-will you join me
in work of charity?"
"With all my heartp'
'Eh bienl help NE, then, to buy this ass
from this good woman here, and to put
him on the invalid list for the rest of his
days. She will care for him the same as
ever"
The ragpicker regarded us with doubt
ing eye, believing that we Knocked her. But
when she saw five louis shining in her
palm she began to smile radiantly.
GLOW much did Pierrot cost your"
said l.
Ten francs, monsieur"
Tres bienl go you to the abattoir and
buy another one, and we will charge our
selves with the nourishing of this one"
And giving her my card and another
caressing stroke to Pierrot's muzzle, we
babe them both adieu.
The miracle had been worked, the ass
pulled himself together with a mighty
effort and started almost gayly, his mistress
pushing valiantly from behind to assist her
beloved Pierrot.
But alas! that same evening she came to
my house all drowned in tears.
l comprehended instantly.
"Ahl monsieur, monsieurl" said she,
she is gone-Pierrot is deadP'
"Poor Pierrotr"
"Yes, monsieur, he was dying, too, when
you saw him this morning, which Pierrot
knew we'll Behold why he tried to regain
his strength to be able to reach our home.
"Brave PierrotW
"Well may you say so, monsieur, and we
had reached Saint Ouen, and were in sight
of our baraque when he fell to his knees.
| tried to lift him, but this time twas use
Iess-all was finished. The children ran
and gathered about him, everybody, mon
sieur. No usel Pierrot was going. Every
body spoke to him, caressed and petted
him-ah! monsieur, the misery of the sightl
He only looked at us with eyes SO sad that
it wrung the heart to see him. There was
no one, in all the world, no one, monsieur,
who wouldn't have loved an ass like Pier
rot!
ITO think, too, how he wished to die at
home, after he had done his work all day
longI 1T his own door to die, monsieur,
as Pierrot didp'
GAS died the soldier" said |. when his
last cartridge is gone"
The ragpicker drew nearer, opened her
hand and there in the palm shone the five
louis of the morning.
"Your hundred francs, monsieur. behold
theml"
"No, madame, no; the money is yours
from Pierrot"
And still do not know whether to most
admire Pierrot or Pierrot's good mistress;
the ass that accomplished his duty, or the
woman more delicate than charity itself,
for if this ass was worthy of enrolment
among the asses SO celebrated of Plutarch,
then this picker of rags was fit to be
counted and canonized among the saints
of the alendar.-Translated from the
French of Arsene Houssaye by E. G. Wag
gener for Short Stories