Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1891-03-20


scenes and days.
Suddenly he returned to his chair, drew
Madame Rlouet's petition to him and
wrote upon it the words, VERY deserving
case" Then he rang his bell and sent the
document to the clerk in charge OF the re-
lief fund
On the day of the official assent to Mad
ane Blouct's petition Mr. Bolnville left
his office earlier than usual, for the idea
had occurred to him TO announce the good
news himself to his aged countrywoman.
Three hundred francs. The sum was
but drop in the enormous reservoir of
tho ministerial fund, but to the poor
widow it would be as Il bencccnt devil
Although it was December the weather
was mild, so Hubert Boinyille walked all
the way to the Rue de Ia Sante, and by the
time he reached his destination that lonely
ncighbornood was wrapped in gloom. by
the light of a gas lamp near the Capuchn
convent he saw Number 12' over "A half
open door in rough stone wall, and, on
entering, found himself in a large market
garden He could just distinguish in the
dark ness Square plots of vegetables, some
groups of rose bushes, and here and there
the silhouettes OF fruit trees. AT the other
end of the garden two or three dim lights
ing, and to this the deputy governor made
his way, and had the good luck TO run
against the gardener, who directed him TO
the widow Bi1uct's lodgings upstairs
After twice stumbling on the muddy
stops NJ Boinvilc Knocked Mt "A door I'm.
der which n line OF light was to be seen
aud great was his surprise hen, the door
/ being opened he saw before him "A girl Of
about twenty years holding up a lighted
I lamp and looking at him with asLonished
eyes. She was dressed in black and had n
| fair fresh face and the lamp light WINS
shining on her wavy chestnut hair, round
! dmped checks, smiling mouth and lin
pii blue eyes.
as this where Madame Blouet lives?'
asked NJ. Boiuviile after moment heSita-
ton, and the girl replied: "Ycs, sir. Re
kind enough to walk in. Grandmother,
here is a gentleman who wants ~ see yon.'
81 am coming" cried a thin, piping voice
/ from the next room, and the next minute
the old lady came trottinC out. with her
false front ali awry under her niack cap,
and trying to unite the strings Of blue
apron which she wore
'TIolv motherr' she cried in 3mazement
on recognizing the deputy governor, '', it
possible. sir? EXcnse my appearance,
was not expecting the honor Of a visit from
/ YOU. Cjludctte, give N. Boinville a chair.
This is my Craudchild, Sir. SIC is all
have in the world"
The gentleman seated himself in an an
tique armchair covered with Utrecht vel
vet, and cast rapid glance round the
room, which evidently served as both par
nor and dining room. 1t contained very
little furniture; small stove Of white
delft ware. next to which stood an Old
fashioned oakcn clothes press. Il round
table covered wi-h oilcloth ard some rush
bottom chairs, while on tue wall hung tive
old colored Autographs. Everything was
very neat and the Place had an Cd time
air of comfort and r;stic:,y. IL Boirvi!l,
explained the object Of his visit in n few
words aud the widow exclaimed:
"Oh. thnnl; you. sir! How good you are
1t t. quite true that pleasant surprise,
never come siaclv. Ny cranGchild ha.
passed an examination in tele ,rlpay, aul
while she is waiting for position She is
doing little pmntir~ 'or one and another
Onlv today she has been pail for = larg,
order. ami $50 we ma lie up our minds" saic
ill.,. ,-r..r,!uptler. ";o celebrate Inc even