Connecticut western news., 1891-03-04
THE CUIRASSIER

HE CUlRANClEk
 It was raining, but . scarcely vidble All, as If the drops were pressed through fine sprinkler by gigantic hand be- hind the clouds, which sailed low in the chilly air.
 But in spite of the singing slaps of the saucy wind the boulevard was full of people. two crowds, one of which moved by the force of business neces- sity, the other more slowly, impelled only by curiosity, but both meeting and passing in constant succession.
 At the corner of a street and the boulevard was stationed a little boy scarcely 10 years old His brown, thick, uncombed hair fell in locks almost to bis eyebrows, or stood out like bristles from bis temples His jacket, vest and pantaloons were ill fitting and remade from old, worn corduroy, which had changed from 8 yellowish brown to a dirty gray hue. They were entirely too large for him, but then Git was reasoned) he would grow inevitably, whether econ- omy made this desirable or not. His face and hands showed the spots of mud which were spattered on him a short time before by a luxurious carriage that, in passing, almost touched his three feet of corner territory. He had small, bright, gentle blue eyes, and was named Charles Froer.
 His father, who was street vender of toys, had placed him there some days be- fore to sell something which he had late ly invented. It was wooden cuirassier of brave bearing, mounted on spirited steed.- When certain spring was touched the horse would prance off on quick moving wheels, and the soldier would brandish heroically his formida- ble saber, rising and then falling to pierce some invisible breasts, or to mow off the heads of some imaginary host of the invading enemy. During this terrific attack tho cuirassier would roll his eyes ferociously, and his savage mustache would bristle with fury. What more a1luring and entrancing toy could be offered to boy with drop of French bravery in his young heart? The father sold many of them in walking the neigh boring streets near the wonderful Church of the Madeleine But he chose to have bis son remain at the street cor ner, having suspended from his neck frame in which company of the cuiras- siers were in line in the full splendor of paint and gliding.
 Every morning he received twenty of them, and each ore sold for twenty sous Thus every evening, in mounting to his home in Acacia street.-the sixth story of the house-he must show twenty sous for each missing cuirassier. Now he shivered in the misty air; his cheeks, nose and ears were purple, and his little chapped hands were buried to the elbows in bis pantaloon pockets. In a feeble, thin, but sweet and melancholy voice he cried:
 "The cuirassier, the fine, brave cuiras- sier, for twenty sousr But the indiffer- ent crowd passed on, leaving him to re- peat his offers as regularly as he had heard his father do.
 This good man, 8 glider by trade, but now out of his proper work, turned to this business to keep out of idleness, that he might the better feed his mother less children. He naturally sold many more of the toys, because in his good natured way he added to these attrac- tions by his sparkling Parisian jokes, they compelling attention and inducing the listeners to buy. The little boy could not do this; indeed was rather sad while crying, "The cuirassiers, brave cuirassiers, for twenty sous! Tears were in his voice, but not because of the cold; he was accustomed to that. Nor was he ill or hungry; on the con- trary he was strong, and his father gave him plenty to eat.
 Why, then, was he shedding tears, and why did he regard with an air of disturbance, almost of fear, the children of the wealthy who were tempted by the pretty toys to approach him?
 And when he sold one, and the twenty sous sank deep in his pocket, why did sighs burst from his curved lips and his eyes follow with Q jealous and desolate expression the happy child who disap- peared in the crowd triumphantly bear ing away the gallant soldier? That day business had been excellent, only one toy remaining only, and nineteen pieces of silver jinging in his purse. Near him, almost touching him, came little boy, cinging to his mothers hand. Although of the same age he was much smaller than Charles and very thin, his face being emaciated and wan. It seem- ed hard for him to walk, for his right shoulder projected in hump.
 They had never spoken, but they knew each other very well by sight, having often met. The deformed boy was named Gaston Lembelly, one which Charles thought almost too grand for so small 8 body. His mother was a rich widow, who lived in the first flat of the house in Acacia street, of which she was owner.
 Gaston stopped before Charles, recog- nizing him with smile and bow. He gazed earnestly at the remaining toy, and exclaimed, "Oh, mamma, see the splendid cuirassierI"
 His dark trimmed eyes-those of one condemned to soon close them forever opened wider, and he reached his long thin, waxy hand to grasp the wooden soldier and touch the spring. Immedi ately the horse gave fierce bound, and. the rider brandished bis weapon as if moving the heads and piercing the breasts of an invisible host.
 "Oh, mamma, please buy him for mep
 "How much for your cuirassier, my child7' asked the mother.
 Twenty sous, madame"
 'eThere is tho money" and Gaston Lembelly walked of with h1s prize.
 The little wooden frame was now empty. but with contracted lips Charles bent his head. He tried hard not to weep. but it was too much for him, and l.- R1-oIooI a1vnocf h;, 1;%&1r~