Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-12-30
PIERRE ALBERT.

There is one little corner OF France which.
1 ,ryer visit without saying to myself
"G'hat happy lot it would be 10 stay here
f.reyeri
yillerviIle on-the-sea lies on the coast OF
Normandy, between Honheur aud Trou
Vile Behind the pretty village the rich
k wooded land slopes In gentle undula,
lions to the mouth OF the Seine, which here
videus ont and spreads in all its arails.en,
70 the far off horizon. At your feet are yer
dant meadows where great oxen Craze
raising their heads now ard then, and
standing niotionless AS il listening To the
voice Of the biilows
On the rigLt is the river, narrowing AZ !,
runs toward the pronnontory OF Luil!-
hpuf. and seeming 10 bear In its drifting
haze the memory of Paris, where il L:s
seen so much, Opposite is Hayre, with it,
n,asts. its ligl thouses and iis smoke; above
Hayre is the lovely hill OF Ingonviile, h-
. decked with white houses half buried In
foliage On the left is the roadstead, then
the sea
About ten .e.ls, y hsd the pleasure
OF spending II moath al NillerviIle. where
for the time ieing was genuine rustic
and fisherman Ny room had lime washed
x,
most primitive furniture Imaginable, and
a few engra wings illuminated ia indigo
and gerniilion
From my window there was a beaufifni
yiew OF the bay and besides that saw
daily at lox tide three or four hltntlret
fisher women nerrily hunting for niussels.
while their husbands and b.ot hers were
off cruising in small fishing smacks The
latter returned home on Saturday even
ings aud Ia arrival Of the peaceful f,rt
made scene full OF motion color ami
gayety
Nv hostess Cesarne Aubert, took no
part In these joyous gatherings. She was
tall, iank woman, 40 years OF age, harsh
tongned and sour tempered, ever ready for
dispute. greedy for gain and watchful OF
her own iuterests-a perfect virago As
however. paid well aud in advance was
hero, a god to Ccsarne- For me she
modulated Der sharp voice and always
came TO meet me smiling grimly.
Strange to say, she had two charming
children, hoy of ID. and a girl almost a
year younger They were Of the usual
Normandy type. fair skinned and light
haired and had large blue eyes with an
expression of angelic tenderness, not in the
least like their mothers. | was curious to
see what sort of man their father was, and
on the Saturday after my arrival sat by
the great chimney with Cesarine awaiting
his return. The children had been watch
ing for him eagerly. and toward dusk they
rushed in, exclaiming breathlessIy:
Here he comes. mother; we saw his boat
from the clif May we go and meet himf"
What is the use:" replied the woman
sulienly Pierre's old enough to find his
way here without your assistance. and be
sides, want you TO 90 into the garden,
both OF you, and gather some salad for
supper. Do YOU hear me-
At the sound of the last words the chill.
dren He'd like frightened birds, and a few
minutes later Pierre ALBERT came into the
house. He was about IS years old. short
and thick set with light brown hair cut
square over the forehead, but hanging in
two long cnrls upon his shoulders, and
among the locks could be seen two tiny
gold earrings. shaped like anchors His
smile was thoughtful, his manner grave
even mournful. but the frank expression
In his blue eyes was very winning.
Cesarine rose as he entered, but without
a word or smile of greeting took down a
slate that hung on the wall, and with the
pencil in her hand asked abruptly.
How much,"
The man drew great leather purse from
the pocket of his pea jacket, reported the
result of each days fishing. and laid down
the amount received for his share of the
weeks work. While he was speaking
Cesarine put down line of figures on the
Slate added them up and carefully counted
the money. Then she put the whole
amount into n drawer, locked it and
pocketed the key, while the fisherman re
turned his empty purse to his pocket ap
parently without regret.
a good husband" | thought, and the
next minute the two children ran into the
room and threw their arms around his
neck.
And good father" added mentally.
OUT what was my establishment to hear
one of the children saying:
so glad to see you, Uncle Pierre!''
lie sat down, took the boy and girl upon
MS knees and caressed them with such esi.
uent affection that was touched. Could
II oe possible that he was only uncle to
THESE children and brother-in law to Cesa-
rines
eradually the bright flash of loving de
hgnt which the little ones welcome had
ssiiea to his eyes faded away, and the
FORMER look OF hopeless sadness returned.
ne oade the children 20 and play upon the
oeaeh and then he took spade from a
eerner of the room and went out, saying
'aat he was going to work little. | was
SO much interested in him that | followed
uin at short distance, and saw that he
went to the end OF the village street, and
oegan digging in u small Enclosure where
sotne Vegetables were growing Suddenly,
however, he stood erect, and with his hands
resting upon the spade handle gazed in
lentiy at a cottage near by. One Of the
niaaows was almost covered with the
raves and blossoms of climbing rose,
ana upon the white curtain there appeared
,ne shadow OF a woman's form Motion
KS as statue, Pierre stood with his gaze
.tNea upon that window until darkness
.osea around and the stars came out, and
.uen' with deep drawn sigh that seemed
some from broken heart. he shouldered
us spade and went home,
:, me next evening as passed the church
n people were coming out, and saw
erie In the doorway with his niece and
apaew- a young woman on her way out
eoureh was just behind him, and with
W, looking up he dipped his finger in the
oN water basin aud then extended hi.
aenu 10 her. She was sweet faced Great
wv, with pale, delicate skin. although
'n'I 4 peasant, soft. dark eyes droopins