Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1893-12-08

you tell me puts now spirit into my Dos.
ON"
In the room below my mother-she, too,
had already risen-was filling n wallet
with provisions which she had prepared
for Chevaucheux, but he declined He was
not hungry. All he would accept was a
flask of brandy Then he put on a pair of
boots which my father wore when he took
long walks, and, more confident than ever,
he departed, blessing my mother, and
resting on the arm of my father while he
made the first few steps.
Day bad come. My father went n lit
tie way with ChevaucheuX. The young
soldier bore himself sthly up in spite of
his battered feet, which must have panied
him terribly. lie said little and appeared
to be wrapped in thought.
For half an hour my father and he went
on in this way. At length my father said
"Well all friends must part. Good luck
to you, and God bo with your
an. Decary then said Jean Chevau
cheuX, twill you allow me to embrace
you?"
The next moment they were in each
others arms.
Chevaucheux wept, and my fathers eyes
were not unmoistened. 1t was my father
who first got the mastery over himself.
En- routel En- routel'
He parted with Jean, who pressed for
ward on the road to MeHieres.
For three or four years we had no news
of Jean ChevaucheuX but we often spoke
of that evening when the young soldier
had entered bleeding and exhausted, my
fathers house. What had become of him?
How had ended that love romance SO
strangely begun?
One day my father had to go to lfezieres
on business, and he took mo with him.
At Mezieres he entered the first BARRIERS
he came to to get shaved. At the door of
the shop was seated an infant, enjoying
the sunshine, but at the same time block
ing the way with his plump, outspread
legs.
''Won't you let me pass?" asked my ia
Their pleasantly.
"No, won't let zu pass" cried the
child.
At that moment a man in his shirt
! sleeves appeared in the shop-the father
and taking the young gentleman up in his
arms, removed him out of the way, say
ing as he did so:
"What are you about, Pierre? Do you
want to drive away the CUSTOMERS"
recognized the voice So did my ia
thcr.
We looked at the barber, and he looked
at us, and suddenly he my father and
uttered a simultaneous exclamation. The
barber was Jean Chevauchcux. lie in
stantly held out his hand He was flushed
and his face beaming.
as it indeed you? All, when | think
that have never written to yOl-ingrate
that | ami Have You never heard? 1t
was won the bridel | arrived frst-frst
you know"
And rushing to the back of the shop he
called;
"Margueritel Margueritel Come quick
ly"
He appeared to be out of his wits with
joy.
A young woman appeared, pretty, fair
complexioned. with blue eyes; her air
gentle, pensve, a little sad even.
"You see this-this gentleman" he
cried. "Well, it was lie who saved me at
Rethel the night before arrived at your
father's-of whom have spoken so often
M. Decary!"
"Ahr' cried Marguerite, with sweet
smile
And, turning upon us her large, calm
eyes, she bowed and thanked us gently.
Then, as her husband continued to call up
the past she looked at him beseechingly,
even Il little reproachfully.
But Jean did not see this.
"Ah'' he cried, land it is to you, mon
sieur, owe my happinessl My SONNY
little Pierre! Look at him. 1t was by my
wife's wish that he was named Pierre
Isn't he fine fellow? My shop, which is
going on as well as possible, my wife
whom l worship, and my little Pierre,
owe all to your'-From the French OF
Jules Claretie in the Strand Magazine.