Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-01-21
PIERRE AUBERT.

There Is one little corner OF France which. |
| never visit without saying 10 myself.
What happy lot 1t would he To stay here
f.reverF'
Nillerville. on he-sea lies ON the coast OF
Normandy. between Honfieur and Trou
Vile Behind the pretty village the rich
~ wooded land slopes in gentle undula
tons TO the mouth Of the Seine. which here
wldens out and spreads in all its grandeur |
20 the far OH horizon. At your feet are yer |
dant meadows where great oxen Craze,
raising their heads now and then, and
standing mofionless as IL listening 10 the
voice % the pillows
On the right Is the river, narrowing ~ IL
runs toward the promontory OF L.uille
bnuf, and seeming to bear In its drifting
haze the memory OF Paris, where IL has
seen so much. Opposite il Havrs, with it,
masts, its ligi thouses and its smoky; above
Havre is the lovely hill OF Ingouville. h.
decked with white houses half buried in
foliage On the left il the ros,dsteiVi. then
the sea
About ten years ago had the pleasure
OF spending Il month. at Nilerville, wherr
for the time being was a genuine rustic
and fisherman Ny room had lime washed
walls. great black joists in the ceiling. the
most primitive furniture imaginable, and
few encrayings illuminated in indigo
and vcrmilinn
From my window there was "a beautiful
view Of the bay and besides that ! saw
daily ut low tide three or four hundred
fisher women merrily hunting for mussels
while their husbands and brothers were
of cruising IN small fishing sinacks The
latter returned home on Saturday even
ings, and III arrival OF the peaceful fleet
made a scene full OF motion. color and
gayety
My hostess Cesarine Aubert, took no
part in these Joyous gatherings She wis
tall, lank woman. 20 years Of age, harsh
tongued and sour tempered, ever ready for
dispute, greedy for gain aud watchtul of
her own interests--a perfect virigo. As |.
however paid well and 10 advance was a
hero. a god, to Ccsarine, For me she
modulated her sharp voice. and always
came to meet me smiling grimly.
Strange 10 say. she had two charming
children, boy of u. and a girl almost a
year younger Tuey were OF the usual
Normandy type. fair skinned and ligh,
haired and had large blue eyes with an
expression Of angelic tenderness, not In the
leaS, like their mothers. | was curious &C
see what sort OF man their father WAS, and
on the Saturday after my arrival ! sat b,
the great chimney with Cesarine awaiting
his return The children had been watch
ing for him eagerly and toward dusk they
rushed in. exclaiming breathlessly;
Here he comes. mother; we saw his boa.
from the cliff May we go and meet himr
"what is the user" replied the woman
sulienly "Pierre's old enough TO find hl,
way here without your assistance, and he
sides, ! want you to 20 into the garden
both OF you. and gather some salad fol
supper Do you hear mef'
At the sound OF the last words the chill
drcn led like frightened birds, and a few
minutes later Pierre Aubert came into thu
house He was about SIS years old, shor
and thick set, with light brown hair eu
square over the forehead, but hanging IL
two long curls upon his shoulders, AN,
among the lccks could be seen two tim
gold earrings. shaped like anchors Hi
smile was thoughtful. his manner grave
even monrufai but the frank expression
In his blue eyes was very winning.
Cesarine rose rs he entered. but wthou
a word or smile OF greeting took down
slate that hung on the wall, and with III,
pencil in her hand asked abruptly;
How much,"
The man drew u great leather purse from
the pocket of his pea jacket reported tn
result OF each days fishing, and laid dow
the amount received for his share Of tn
week's work While he was speaking
Cesariue put down a line Of figures on th
slate added them up and carefully counte,
the money Then she put the Who'll
amount into a drawer, locked II an
pocketed the key. while the fisherman n
turned his empty purse TO his pocket al
parently without regret.
"A good husband" | thought, and th
next minute the two children ran into tn
room and threw their arms around hi
neck
And good father" added mental,
but what was my astonishment To hea
sne OF the children saying;
80 glad to see You, Uncle Pierre!'
lie sat down, took the boy and girl upo
his knees aud earessed them with such ey
dent affection that was touched Cuul
u be possible that he was only uncle /
these children and brother-in-law 70 Ces.
rinet
Gradually the bright fash OF loving i
light which the little ones welcome hu
called TO his eyes faded away aud Il
former look OF hopeless sadness returne'
He babe the children 20 aud play upon Il
beach, and then he took a spade from
corner OF the room and went out, sayiu
that he was going To work little. WI
% much interested in him tina, follow,
him nj a short distance, aud saw that
Went 10 sae end OF the village street, AT
began digging In small Enclosure whe
some vegetables were growing. Suddenl
however, he stood erect. and with his ham
r~ting upon the spade handle gazed /
tently al a cottage near by. One of q
windows was almost covered with d
leaves and blossoms Of a climbing 70,
anu uuou the white curtain there appear,
the shadow of a woman's form. Motto
leAs rs a statue. Pierre stood VITA his ga
liked upon that window until darknt
closed around aud the stars came out a
then, with deep drawn sigh that seem
20 come from a broken heart, he shoulder
his spade and went home
The next evening as passed the ehur
the people were coming out, aud | .,
Pierrs in the doorway with his niece a
nephew. A young woman on her way {
OF church was just behind him, and wi
out looking up he dipped his finger in
holy water basin and then extended
hand 70 her. She was n sweet faced cru
ure, With a pale. delicate skin, althor
snT peasant. sQtt. dark eyes droon