The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-08-30

JEANS LETTER.
S.x years old: brecches broken at the
knee hair blonde curly so rich and thick
!, would hova coifed tho heads Of two pretty
ladies'. two great blue eyes that still tried to
smile little. though they had cried 50 much
a Jacket well cut. but falling 10 rags. girls
shoe on one foot. q boy boot on the other;
both shoe and boot too wide and too long
turned at The toe and lacking IN heels be-
bind th.s was Jean.
Little Jean. so cold and hungry this winter
evening. WIN had eaten nothing since noon
al tie day before. and who nad finally de-
al led to write & the Virgin. And how. say
YOU did Jean. who no mora knew how %
VT 70 than no knew how to read, arrange this
letter.
Listen. for it is that which I am going to
Below there, in the quarter Of the eros
CM.hou az the corner Of the avenue not far
from tho Esplanade there was shop, in the
days tell OF, Of public writer for III those
DAYS also there were so many claims and Pc
titions to be made to the government, and 80
many people. like Jean, that did not know
how 20 write
And the writer that kept this shop was an
old soldier far on IN years brave man. but
little testy. Who was anything but rich, and
had the additional misfortune of not being
mission to the Hotel des lnvGhdes.
Jean. without pryiug al all. had many times
seen him through the dlngy glasses Of his
little cubbyhOle smoking his pipe and await
ing customers. and so to-day he entered fear
lessiy with a civil
"Good-day monsieur. have come if you
please for you 10 write me letter.
Ten sous. little One,' Pere BONN respond
ell. gazing over his spectacles at the midget
before him.
Jean mad no cap. and was therefore, unable
TO Int IT, but he said very politely:
"Then excuse me" and he turned to reopen
the door
But. pleased with his manners Pere
BONN stOpped him.
"Stay said be, tell me first. little one,
II you are tho son Of a soldier"
"Oh. no. said Jean, only mammals son,
and she's all alone
- see, said the writer, and you have not
the ten sous"
NO. no sous at all. " said Jean
Nor thy mother either. lis plain TO be
seen, And thy letter, little one-isit to make
the soup come"
Yes. said Jean exactly"
Advance, then. Ten lines on half sheet.
One is never too poor for that
And Pere BONN spread out his paper.
dipped his pen IN the ink and wrote at the
top of the page ia the beautiful hand Of the
QuaTtermaster that once ne had been:
PAEIs. Jan. II, 1888.
Then q little lower
TO Monsieur
well. 60 on" said he. do you call
tim. babyl"
Who" demanded JEAN
"Iaruleau. the gentleman.
"Nhat gentleman. MONSIEUR"
The one TO make the soup come"
Jean this time cOmprehended.
But il isn't a gentleman" said he.
"Ah. bah. a lady. them
Yes -nO-that is"
Name of names midget" Pere BONN
cried: don't you know whom you are going
10 write a letter tor
"Oh. yes" said the child.
"Out with 1t, then, quick / can't wait all
day.
But little Joan stood all red and confused.
The fact IS it 10 not as easy as it looks TO
address ones self g. public writer's for CORE
spondences of this kind but Jean was brave
and presently answered softly
1T is 10 the Holy Virgin that / wish to send
letter.
Father BONN did not laugh-not at all: he
simply wiped and laid aside his pen and took
Lis pipe from his mouth.
See, you midget" said he severely, Il
don't want 20 believe that you mock an old
man beside, you are too small for me 70
trOunce Face about. march Ont Won gOn
Little Jean oboyed and wonderingly turned
heel or foot rather, since heel he had none;
and seeing him so submissive, Pere BONN
second time reconsidered and regarded him
more closely.
Name OF names" grumbledhe. but there
is misery in this Paris What do you call
yourself. baby:'
Jean"
And what do you wish to say 10 the Holy
Virgin"
To tell her that mammals been asleep since
O'Clock yesterday and that | can't wake her
uD"
The heart of the old soldier suddenly stood
stall He feared to comprehend He de-
handed again.
But that soup you spoke of awhile ago."
Yes said the child. Il know | had TO
speak Of It, you see, because mamma before
going to sleep yesterday gave me the last
piece of bread"
And what did she eat. pray pa
Nothing for more than two days-she al
ways said she wasn't hungry"
And you tried to wake her, say you
how Z"
AS always do-kissed her."
Did size breathe ~
Jean smiled, and thatsmie made him beau
tiful
Il don't know" said he. Don't we al
ways breathefn
Pere BONN had to hastily turn his head
fortwo big tears were rolling down his cheeks,
and bis reply to the child was another ques-
ton.
And when you kissed her, said he, you
noticed nothing stranger
Yes, l did, said Jean; chow cold she
was; but then it's always 50 cold in our
house"
she shivered. then. your mamma-shiv-
cred with the cold"
No. she was just cold but so pretty. her
hands crossed so. her head back. and her eyes
looking vt the sky"
And wanted riches" Pere BONN muir
muisd-"I who have enough to eat and
orink when here is one who died OF hun
Ana drawing the child 10 him he took him
on ms knee and softly began 10 talk TO him.
my letter. my boy" said 10. is writ
mother"
= On yes, will. but but why do you cry2"
"V..Ianueu jean. astOnished
Du IL am not crying. Jean no, men never
az, ~. tas yon' my precious, VINO Will soon
a.. ILgn' strsSlning him in his arms and cover
IL M MN WIN Kisses: Il too, know you, little
joan once had "a mother. whom ] see even
now IN her bed, 30 pale and white, and saying
70 me. the image Of the Virgin resting at