The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-06-25

Taking Riquet by the head, said
goodby, turning back once for fare
well look. had scarcely gone a hum
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 I
was leading him he looked at me sosadly
that fairly lost nay strength. saw,
ss in dream, the happy morning when
Dilonne and set out to buy our donkey,
taking with us little Solange.
edo not leave me, am SO unhappy"
his large, plaintive eyes seemed to say,
and his look Of misery filed me with
pity. Then I was seized with a sudden
folly and said to him, with peculiar
little clicking noise that he knew we'll,
Gomez Still holding him by the hal
ter with my hands, we started and ran
like veritable thieves. We both seemed
to have renewed our youth. ! ran,
thinking only that had regained lit
tie Of my lost happiness. lido not know
how far we had gone when | heard a
voice calling after me.
Instead of stopping I 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 felt a heavy hand grasp my
shoulder and coarsevoice said, "Thieft'
It was all that the man could say, for
he, too, was at the end of his strength.
At last he regained his breath, and as
we were nearing 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
taken the halter out of my hand. Riquet
no longer led the way. He was hauled
along, and had a tricky look in his eye
The men answered the call, and as the
grasp which was choking me relaxed I
recognized the man who had bought
Riquet.
Two officers prevented my escape. A
crowd collected, and I had nothing to
say in self defense. The farmer told of
my wild fight, which of course aggra-
waited the offense. Your honor, assure
you Riquet seemed to comprehend it
all! They put me in prison and my
donkey in the pound to await the trial.
only ask of you to give orders that
Riquet shall be well cared for. This is
the whole story. I have told it truth
fully. I am here because am guilty.
In fact, we are both of us guilty. But
I still maintain I am not a genuine thief.
Respectfully your servant, JOSE.
II shall not leave until after this
trial." said to my friend. II wish to
hear your Judgment in the case of this
poor fellow"
s'There is something better than that
which you can do" he replied. ~ am
not at liberty to do it, but you can find
this farmer who claims the donkey. If
you pay him the price of the donkey
and small sum in addition that will
end it ALL"
No sooner said than done. For 100
francs could have the little animal
then and there, and the man was only
too glad to withdraw the complaint.
We returned Rishet to his first mas
ter. One looked as happy as the other.
I have since seen them living peacefully
together, going from village to village
selling small wares. True friends are
from the French of
Jaques Morand for Romance by Anna
K. Almy.