The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-08-08
JEANS LETTER.

Lnlck IT would nave COlu6U Lut u01tUS u
two pretty ladies; two great blue eye:
that still tried to smile little, though
they had cried so much; jacket vel
cut but falling to rags; girls shoe on
one foot, boys boot on the other. both
shoe and boot too wide and too long
turned at the toe and lacking in heels
behind-this was Jean.
Little Jean. so cold and hungry this
winter evening, who had eaten nothing
since noon Of the day before, and who
had finally decided to write to the Vir-
gin. And how, say you, did Jean, who
no more knew how to write than he
knew how to read, arrange this letter?
Listen, for it is that which l am going
to tell you.
Below there, in the quarter Of the
Gros-Caillou, at the corner of the avenue
not far from the Esplanade, there was a
shop, il the days tell of, of public
writer, for in those days also there were
80 many claims and petitions to be made
to the government and so many people,
like Jean, that did not know how to
write.
And the writer that kept this shop was
an old soldier far on in years, a brave
man but little testy, who was anything
but rlch and had the additional misfor-
tune Of not being sufficiently chopped to
pieces TO secure admission to the Hotel
des Invalldcs.
Jean. without pry1ng at all. had many
times seen him through the dingy glasses
of his little cubby hole smoking his pipe
and awaiting customers, and 50 today he
entered fearlessly with a civil
"Go0d-day, monsieur. l have come,
if you please, for you to write me let
ter"
"Ten sous, little one" Pere BONN re-
Eponded, gazing over his spectacles at
the midget before him.
Jean had no cap, and was therefore
enable TO lift it, but he said very 10
litely:
"Thcn excuse mel" and he turned to
reopen the door.
But, pleased with his manners, Pere
BONN stopped him.
''Stay!" said he; ''tell me first, little
one, if you are the son Of soldier"
ooh, no" said Jean, "only mammals
son, and she's ali alone"
81 see" said the writer, "and you
have Eot the ten sous"
''NO, no sous at all, ;" said Jean.
"Nor thy mother either, It's plain to
be see:l. And thy letter, little one-is
ii to make the soup Gomez
"1es, sti! Jean, exactly"
'AdvaAce, then. Ten lines on a half
sheet. one is never too poor for that"
And Per- BONN spread ont his paper
dipped his i,-1l III the ink, and wrote at
the tcp of The page, in the beautiful
hand e the Guarter1naster that once he
had been:
PARIS, Jan. Il, is.
Their i line lower:
"WeI, go Oh, said he, "how do you
call him, baby
"WhC:" demanded Jean.
''Parbleu. the gentleman"
"What gentleman, monsieur"
''The one to make the soup come"
Jean this time cOInprthended.
But it isn't a gentleman" sad he.
"Ah! bah. lady, them"
"Yes-nD--that isl
"Name Of names! midget" Pere BONN
cried, don't you know whom you are
going 10 write letter to-
"Oh, yes!' said the child
"O.ut with it. then, quick, cans
wait ali day!"
But little Jean stood all red am, con
fused. The fact is, it is not as easy as it
looks to address ones self to public
writers for corespOndences of this kind
but Jean was brave and presently an
swered softly:
sit is to the Holy Virgin that l wish
to send letter"
Father BONN did not laugh, rot at all
he simply wiped and laid aside his per
and took his pipe from his mouth
''See you, midget" said he severely
81 don't want to believe that you mock
an old man; besides, you are too small
for me to trounce. Face about: march
Out you gor'
Little Jean obeyed and wonderingly
turned heel, or foot rather, since heel hi
had none; and. seeing him so submissive
Pere BONN second time recOnsidere6
and regarded him more closely.
'Name of names, Of names" grum
bled he, but there is misery in this
Paris! What do you call yourself, babyY
"Jean."
"Jean WHAT
"Nothing-just Jean"
Pere BONN felt his eyes sting, but he
only said:
''And what do you wish to say to the
Holy VirginY'
"To tell her that mammals been asleer
dnce four o'clock yesterday, and that
can't wake her up"
The heart of the old soldier suddenly
stood still. He feared to comprehend
He demanded again:
"But that soup you spoke Of while
sgor
"Yes," said the child, II know hai
10 sneak Of It. you zee. because MANN,
before going to slep yesterday gave m
tie last piece Of bread"
and what did abe eat, pray"
Nothing for more than two days-sh'
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