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

the house. l saw my cherished little
girl lying on the bed all dressed. The
door was open, and Riquet stood at the
sill watching her, but only his head was
stretched into the room. She was in
burning fever, having caught cold the
night before while watching SO late for
me to come.
Forgive nae, your homer, for telling
you all my troubles; but when I saw the
poor child SO i'll I nearly lest my senses.
The fever never left her. She had
thousand fancies. Sometimes she grew
pale, her great eyes shining very bright
ly. Dilonne was the only friend who
could make her smile. She often had
hard cough, which exhausted her COM
pletely and brought two brilliant red
spots to her cheeks. She grew weaker
and weaker. Nothing seemed to give
her any strength. The doctor said very
little, but ordered medicines which cost
much money. could no longer work.
I staid all day by the side of my little
invalid Soon she could not leave her
bed, and then she had many fantastic
wishes; she 1onged for expensive fruit,
for toys and flowers. had no money,
and not knowing what to do I was
forced to borrow. How could I refuse
my darling?
A neighber lent me the money, for
which he made me sign note. would
have signed away my hope of place in
paradise to make Solange happy, to
watch her smile or see ray of return
ing health. One afternoon in spring she
said to me, in the little coaxing voice
which could never resist, "Dear father,
l feel well | want to see the flowers
Will you bring Riquet and put me on
him and take me out a little way?"
] wrapped her up warmly. She was
as light as a feather. Riquet seemed
pleased enough when he felt this tiny
burden, and held his ears erect as if to
show his good intentions. Solange cried
out with joy, she was SO glad to be in
the fresh air and bright sunshine. Her
small hands, which were almost trans
parent, scarcely held the reins, but
Riquet stopped Of his own accord at all
the best places for her to gather wild
roses and sprigs of the hawthorn, which
shed its white petals like snow on my
little darling.
''Oh, it is so nice here, is it 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 I was alone.
AS had not paid back the money I
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 distance 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 I watched it all, and I
felt my heart breaking as one thing
after another went under the hammer.
Finally, raising his voice, the auctioneer
said: "There is also young donkey
good for work. Is there buyer at for
ty francs?'
No one spoke.
cat thirty?'
Not 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, gentlemenl'
s'Twentyp' said one.
t'Twenty-onel' said another.
'sNo 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 his new master
struck him with a heavy stick and drag
ged him away. suppose it was very
foolish, your honor, but when I saw
that ran off sobbing.
had to live, SO went to farmer in
the neighborhood, who hired me by the
day. / worked like brute, and that
tired me so completely that it kept me
from thinking Of my grief. At night I
slept soundly, but the awakening was
terrible, as I realized more and more
each day my burden Of sorrow.
At the end of year the farmers
daughter was married, and there was a
grand fete at the house; but the sound
of the wedding music was death knell
in my heart. I felt that I must get
away from it all.
Quite alone walked across the coun-
try, and in spite of myself I took the
road to Sorgas. swear to you, sir, I
had no evil intention in my mind.
went along in e half dazed manner, feel
ing that I had grown very old. Life is
hard for the poor. Finding myself near
the cemetery, ! thought / would visit
the graves OF my wife and child. Not
wishing to be recognized, took short
cut across the fields. The corn harvest
Il