Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-02

cate perfume rose the thoughts Of bygone
scenes and DAYS.
suddenly he returned to his chair, drew
MadarRe Blouet's petition to him and
wrote upon it the words, Every 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
anne Blouet's petition Mr.. Boinville left
his oflice 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
the ministerial fund, but to the poor
widow it would be as benefcent devil
Although it was December the weather
| was mild, so Hubert Boinville walked all
the way to the Rue de la Sante, and by the
time he reached his destination that lonely
neighborhood was wrapped in gloom. BY
the light of a gas lamp hear the Capuchin
convent he saw Number 1917 over half
open door in rough stone wall, and, on
entering, found himself in a large market
garden. He could just distinguish in the
darkness square plotsIof 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
showed the front of plain, square build
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 Blouet's lodgings upstairs.
After twice stumbling on the muddy
steps NJ. Boinville knocked at door un.
der which line of light was TO be seem
and great was his surprise when, the door
being opened, he saw before him a girl Of
/ about twenty years holding up a lighted
lamp and looking at him with astonished
eyes. She was dressed in black and had a
fair, fresh face, and the lamp light was
shining on her wavy chestnut hair, round
dimpled cheeks, smiling mouth and linn
pid blue eyes.
Is this where Madame Blouet livesf"
asked NJ. Boinville after moment hesita-
ton, and the girl replied: "Yes, sir. Be
kind enough to walk in. Grandmother,
here is a gentleman who wants to see YOU"
Tam coming" cried "A thin, piping voice
from the next room, and the next minute
the old lady came trotting out, with her
false front all awry under her black cap,
and trying to unite the strings of blue
apron which she wore.
"Holy motherl'' she cried in amazement
on recognizing the deputy governor, lis it
possible, sir2 Excuse my appearance,
was not expecting the honor of visit from
you. Claudette, give NJ Boinville chair.
This is my grandchild, sir. She 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
lor and dining room. 1t contained very
little furniture. small stove of white
delft ware, next to which stood an old
fashioned oaken clothes press, "A round
table covered with oilcloth and some rush
bottom chairs, while on the wall hung two
old colored autographs. Everything was
very neat and the place had an old time
air Of comfort and rusticity. NJ. Boinville
explained the object of his visit in few
words and the widow exclaimed;
"Oh, thank you, sir! How good you arei
1t is quite true that pleasant surprises
never come singly My grandchild has
passed an examination in telegraphy, and
while she is waiting for position she is
doing a little painting for one and another
Only today she has been paid for "A large
order, and so we made up our minds, said
the grandmother, Ito celebrate the event
by having only old home dishes for dinner
The gardener down stairs gave us q cab
bage, some turnips and potatoes TO make
potee. We bought a Lorraine sausage,
and when you came in | had just made
tot-fait."
"Oh. a ot-faitp' cried Boinville. That
is n sort of cake made of eggs, milk and
farina. 1t is twenty years since beard its
name and more than that since tasted it"
faI and
the Young girl, who was watching him
curiously, saw look of actual greediness
in his brown eyes. While he was lost in a
reverie Of the tot-fait Claudette and her
grandmother turned away and began dis
cussing, and at last the girl whispered:
II am afraid twould not do"
"Why notg" returned the old lady; Il
think it would please him." And then,
seeing that he was looking at them won
deringly, she went toward him, saying;
IN Boinville, you have already been so
kind to us that am going to ask of you
another favor. 1t is late, and you have
long way to COVE should be so glad if
Won would stay here and taste our tot-fait
should we not. Claudette?"
Certainly" said the girl, ''but NJ. Boin-
Vile will have plain dinner, and, besides,
he is. no doubt, expected at home"
..No one is waiting for me-" answered
the gentleman, thinking of his usual dull,
solitary meals in the restaurant. Il have
no engagement, butt he hesitated, looked
at CIaudette's smiling eyes and suddenly
exclaimed:
~ accept, with pleasure"
.'That is rightf' said the old lady brisk
w. "What did l tell you, Claudettei
Quick, my pet, set the table and run for
the wine, while go back to my tot-fait. "
The girl had already opened the press
and taken out striped tablecloth and
three napkins, and in the twinkling of an
eve the table was ready. Then she lighted
a candle and went down stairs to fetch the
wine while the old dame sat down with
her Ian full of chestnuts, which she pro
ceeded to crack and place upon the stove.
as not that bright, lively girl!' she
said. .'She is my consolation; she cheers me
like a Iinnet on an old roof.
Here the speaker ratified the chestnuts
ON the stove, and then Claudette reap
neared, a little flushed and out of breath,
and hrpnplt il