Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-07-06

ION, 1t IS so nice here, Is 1t not
papa:" AS the poor child said this her
head dropped. She had sort of con-
vulsion and fell back on my arm which
was about her. She was dead.
The doctor told me he had expected it.
They took her from me and l was alone
AS l had not paid back the money |
borrowed and had signed note for it,
they came to my house and seized every
thing. The sheriff looked into all the
closets, fumbled in the bureau drawers,
went from cellar to attic and out to the
stable, and finally, ON All Saints Day,
they held the SALE The auctioneer stood
on our large table.
From a distance l could see him take
each article in his hand and hold it up
to view-our china and glass, the clock,
my clothes, the baby's cradle-every-
thing was sold. Hidden in little vine
covered arbor | watched it all, and /
felt my heart breaking as one thing
after another went under the hammer.
Finally, raising his voice, the auctioneer
said: There is also q young donkey
good for work. Is there a buyer at for
ty francs"
No one spoke.
cat thirty?'
Not q word.
''Twenty-fve?"
Then he said, "Gentlemen, he is worth
more than that
They went to fetch Riquet. He came
very slowly, pricking up his long ears
and looking defiance from his eyes. He
seemed to realize that he was to be sold,
and that for him also happiness was at
an end.
"This donkey is offered for fifteen
francs, gentlemen"
"Twenty!" said one.
'Twenty-onew said another.
NO one bids higher? Gomez and a
burly. red haired, red faced farmer
claimed him.
Poor Riquet, who had always been so
gentle, tried to kick, but lis new master
struck him with heavy stick and drag
ged him away. l suppose it was very
foolish, your honor, but when l saw
that | ran Off sobbing.
had to live, SO went TO farmer in
the neishporhood, who hired me by the
day. worked like q brute, and that
tired me SO completely that it kept Inc
from thinking of my grief. At night
slept soundly, but the awakening was
terrible, as realized mere and more
each day my burden of sorrow.
At the end of year the farmers
daughter was married, and there was
grand fete at the house; but the sound
of the wedding music was death knell
in my heart. felt tina; | must get
away from it all.
Quite alone walked across the coun-
try, and i'll spite Of myself | took the
road to Sorgas. swear to you, sir,
had no evil intention in my mind.
went along in e half daZed manner, feel
ing that had grown very old. Life is
hard for the poor. Finding myself near
the cemetery, thought l would visit
the graves of my wife and child. Not
wishing to be recognized, took q short
cut across the fields. Tho corn harvest
was over, and as walked | heard the
Gtubble creaking under my feet.
All at once, on the other side Of a
iitch, saw a donkey and heard loud
and prolonged bray. Coming closer,
saw it was Riquet, who had recognized
me. He stretched his neck as far as his
cord permitted, and looked at me with
his beautiful eyes wide open. He
stopped cropping the grass, and when
was near enough he took my coat very
gently between his teeth and shook his
head several times. | caressed him and
sat down to look him we'll over. found
him much abused. On his back were
sores made by wearing too heavy a sad
die. His legs were covered with bloody
scratches, and his coat, formerly so
glossy, was now all rough and rusty.
Poor Riqust! He laid his pretty head on
my knees. at the same time looking be-
hind me to see if by chance had NOR
sci of bread hidden away for him--an
old trick of his. 1t was the meeting of
old friends after long absence, but as
evening approached we wsra fsssed to
part.
Taking Itiquet by the head, l said
goodby, turning back once for fare
well look. had scarcely gone hun
dred steps when felt knock on my
back. 1t was poor Riquet. He had
broken his halter to follow me. swear
to it, your honor, meant to take him
back and tie him securely, but while |
Eas leading him he looked at me SO sadly
that 1 fairly lost my strength. l saw,
as in dream, the happy morning when
Dilonne and set out to buy our donkey,
taking with us little Solange
'.Do not leave me, am SO unhappy"
his large, plaintive eyes seemed to say,
and his look of misery filled me with
pity. Then was seized with sudden
folly and said to him, with peculiar
little clicking noise that he knew well,
"Come!' Still holding him by the hal
ter with my hands, we started and ran
like veritable thieves. We both seemed
to have renewed onr youth. ran,
thinking only that had regained lit
tie of my lost happiness. lido not know
how far we had gone when I heard a
voice calling after me.
Instead of stopping ran all the fast
er, Riquet leading and fairly dragging
me after him. 1t was wild chase, the
earth fairly flying from under our feetl
was breathless, but could still hear
the voice behind us carried on the wind.
The blood was ringing in my ears, and
my breath stopped in my throat. Sud
denly l felt a heavy hand grasp my
shoulder and a coarse voice said, ''Thiefr'
1t was all that the man could say, fo1
he, too, was at the end of his strength.
At last he regained his breath, and as
we were nearing a village he made an
effort to call to some men who were
drinking and laughing at tavern. He
still held me by my collar. but had