The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-09-19

4 why DeQ ne Deen cOnOemneu 70 SuCu
martyrdoms Was it expiation for one OF
his kind or punishment for a previous ex-
| istence passed in orgiesl
But now the ragpicker was returning,
carrying in one hand piece Of bread. in
the other a lump of sugar
Pierrot raised his lip and attempted to
show his teeth, worn and yellow as the
keys of an old harpsichord; but though
it was the breakfast hour, he let the bread
drop again; he had no more strength in
his jaws than he had in his legs.
The ragpicker tried him then with the
lump of sugar; he took it as If it gave him
pleasure, but let it fall beside the bread.
"Ah, mon Dieu, mon Dieul what a mis-
fortunep cried the poor woman sorrow
fully.
She thought no longer Of getting her
| goods to her house; she thought of moth
| ing but her old friend Pierrot.
"Pierrotl Pierrot" she called again.
She OWNED that the ass was lost; two
great tears glistened in her eyes. She
opened her arms, took his head in her en-
brace and kissed him as if he had been a
beloved child,
And l swear to you, my friend. that the
ass himself let fall two tears!
This caressing, too. apparently per-
formed miracle, translating itself first
by cry from the heaFt-the ass began to
bray as in his better days. feared, myself,
that it was as the cry of the swan, but no,
Pierrot had revived, had returned to him.
self
Deeply moved by the spectacle, ap-
preached and held out my hand to the
worthy woman.
1T is well, madame, this thing that you
have doner' said l.
"Ahl monsieur" said she, sobbing Bit
terly, ''if only you knew how l love this
beastl Figure to yourself that it was
that saved him from the abattoir, seven
years ago, that was, and when had only
a hottie, a miserable basket for the back
and my pick hook with which to provide
for seven children. The good God is just,
monsieurl The father, you see, has gone
with another; a rascal stole from me my
eldest girl; four other children-for 1 have
had twelve, monsieur-died at the breast
for one has not good milk when one must
work and toll all day and night long-and
the youngest of the twelve, to save its life,
| was forced to place in a foundling asy-
lum.
This ass, monsieur, has been my only
consolation, better companion, too, than
ever was my man to me. With him one
has never to worry to keep him from the |
cabaret or run to escape his beatings, no
more than he has to run, my little Pierrot, |
who never was beaten. Is it not SO, my |
friend, my dear little ass2"
And truly the ass had the air of compre- |
hending and joining in the conversation. |
He pricked up his ears, seemed to put On |
his thinking cap and to try TO give an |
opinion.
An acquaintance passed at that moment |
and asked what / was doing there.
Making a new friend, my DEAR" said |,
patting and smoothing Pierrot's mottled
sides with feeling of tenderness that was
steadily growing upon me.
'He is doubtless steed of spirit, that"
resumed the newcomer critically, "but Ger.
tainly he is not handsome"
"You think so?" said L; "and I find him
superbl In his place, let me tell you, my
friend, you Id look very much worse.
He came out at 12 last night and has never
been to bed at all. But stayl you arrive at
an opportune moment-will you join me
in work of charity?"
''With all my heart"
''Eh bienI help me, then, to buy this ass
from this good woman here, and to put
him on the invalid list for the rest of his
days. She will care for him the same as
ever"
The ragpicker regarded us with a doubt
ing eye, believing that we Knocked her. But
when she saw five louis shining in her
palm she began to smile radiantly.
"How much did Pierrot cost your"
said L
''Ten francs, monsieur"
Tires bienl go you to the abattoir and
buy another one, and we will charge our
selves with the nourishing of this one"
And giving her my card and another
stroke to Pierrot's muzzle, we
bade them both adieu
The miracle had been worked, the ass ,
pulled himself together with a mighty
effort and started almost gayly, his mistress
pushing valiantly from behind to assist her .
beloved Pierrot
But alasl that same evening she came
ny house all drowned in tears.
l comprehended instantly.
"Ahl monsieur, monsieurP said she,
he is gone-Pierrot is deadI' ,
"Poor Pierrotr
"Yes, monsieur, he was dying, too, when
Tou saw him this morning, which Pierrot
znew well. Behold why he tried 10 regain
lis strength to be able to reach our home.
Brave Pierrotr
We'll may you say so, monsieur, and we
lad reached Saint Ouen, and were in sight S
# our baraque when he fell to his knees v
tried to lift him, but this time twas use Ii
was finished The children ran S
nd gathered about him, everybody, mon /
ieur. No usei Pierrot was going Every
ody spoke to him, caressed and petted a
im-ahl monsieur the misery of the sightl :,
lie only looked at US with eyes so sad that
wrung the heart TO see him. There was I
o one, in all the world, no one, monsieur,
Tho wouldn't have loved an ass like Pier
otl C
TO think, too, how he wished to die at \
ONE, after he had done his work all day V
'ng AT his own door to die, monsieur, 81
5 Pierrot didP o
As died the soldier" said 1. when his e
Lst cartridge is gone" =, y
The ragpicker drew nearer, opened her Il
and and there in the palm shone the five
'uis of the morning. II
Your hundred francs, monsieur. behold
Temp
mo, madame, no; the money is yours
ON PierrotP =
And still do not know whether to most y
imire Pierrot or Pierrot's good mistress; y
le ass that accomplished his duty. or the n
oman more delicate than charity itself, al
T If this ass was worthy Of enrolment in
nong the asses so celebrated Of Plusarch. T
ZEN the picker of rags was At TO be =
united and canonized among the saints Z
the oalendar.-Translated from the :;