Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-10-03

face had gained only the more expression,
something, / know not how else to describe
it, of huaan intelligence, benevolent good
ness
Why had he been condemned to such
martyrdom? Was it expiration for one of
his kind or punishment for previous ex-
istence passed in orgies.
But now the ragpicker was returning,
carrying in one hand piece of bread, in
the other 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 Dieu! what mis-
fortuner" 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 Pierrotr 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 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 heart-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, l ap-
preached and held out my hand to the
worthy woman.
1T is well, madame, this thing that you
have done.' said l.
"Ah! monsieur" said she, sobbing bit
terly, IF only you knew how | love this
beast. 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.
monsieur! The father, you see, has gone
with another: rascal stole from me my
eldest girl; four other collaboration have
had twelve, mousieur-died at the breast
for one has not good milk when one must
work and toll all day and night long-aud
the youngest of the twelve, to save its life,
| was forced TO place in a founding 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 asst"
And truly the ass had the air of compre-
bending 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 notified
sides with a 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 sos" said /; land find him
superb In his place, let me tell you, my
friend, You would look very much worse.
He came out at u last night and has never
been TO bed AT all. But stay! you arrive at
an opportune moment-will you Join Inc
in work Of charity"
with all my heart"
Ell bien! 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 radiahtly.
How much did Pierrot cost you?r
said l.
Ten francs, monsieur"
Tres bien! 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
caressing 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 valiautly from behind to assist her
beloved Pierrot.
But alas! that same evening she came to
my house all drowned in tears.
| comprehended instantly.
"Ah! monsieur, monsieurr' said she
''he is gone-Pierrot is deadr'
Poor Pierrotr'
Yes, monsieur, he was dying, too, hen
You saw him this morning, which Pierrot
knew well. Behold why he tried to regain
his strength to be able to reach our home
Brave Pierrot"
We'll may you say so, monsieur, and we
had reached Saint Oueu, and were in sight
of our baraque when be fell to his knees
tried to lift him, but this time twas use
less-all was finished. The children ran
and gathered about him, everybody mon
sieur. No use! Pierrot was going. Every
body spoke 10 him, caressed and petted
him-ah! monsieur, the misery of the sight!
He only looked at us with eyes so sad that
it wrung the heart to see him. There was
no one, in all the world no one, monsieur,
who wouldn't have loved an ass like Pier
rot
ITO think, too, how he wished to die at
home, after he had done his work all day
longl At his own door to die, monsieur,
as Pierrot didr'
LAS died the soldier" said l. when his
last cartridge is gone"
The ragpicker drew nearer, opened her
hand and there in the palm shone the five