The Helena independent., 1894-01-01

that Dundlo of wood produces IN ~ tho
enect OF q match; II II 10 neAr the roof that
~ wind drives In the rnin and II freezes on
the hAsrth IN winter, and W they have Civ
ntt up Now everything Ii confined 10 an
eAsthen warming pan, upon which their re-
past II cooked. Tho grandmother had In
deed spoken Of stove that she had bar
gained for et tbs secondhand Dealers on
the ground floor, but hs wanted 7 francs
Tor IL, and the times were too hard for such
IN expense, consequently tho family wss
resigned TO bc cold Tor economy's sake,
Willis PAnlstte II talking / feel that
an more and more ontGrowlng my dull
dependency, Tho FIRST revelations Of the
little boxmaker have given birth within
me 70 q desire that Immediately becomes q
project. question her regarding her oc~
cnpattons for the day, and she informs me
that on leaving me she Ii going TO visit,
with her brother, her sister and her grand.
mother, the different customers from whom
they get their work. My plan ia laid ct
once. | tell the child that will call on
her in the evening, and send her away,
thanking her anew.
The violet is placed In the open window
where ray Of sunlight bids 1t welcome.
The sparrows twitter around it, the sky
becomes clear, and the day, which began
70 sad, has become radiant. / walk about
ny chamber singing. ! hastily dress.
70 out.
Three o'clock Everything Is arranged
With my neighbor, the chimney doctor; he
II repAtring the old stove which l had
bought and promises to make it AZ good as
new. At 0 O'Clock we are going to start
out to put IT in the house OF Paulette's
grandmother,
Midnight Everything passed of we'll.
At the hour set was at the house of the
old boxmaker, who was still absent. Ny
Pedmontese set up the stove while ar
ranged In the great chimney place dozen
bundles OF wood stolen from my winters
store It will result in my having to WARM
myself by walking or BY going to bed
earlier
At each football that re-echoes on the
stairway feel my heart throb; tremble
lest be interrupted in my preparations
and my surprise bs thus spoiled. But no,
everything Is in place, the stove huns cheer
fully, the little lamp burns on the table and
the oil cr,let has taken its place On the shelf.
The chimney doctor has gone. This time
my fear lest some one come Is transformed
into tmpatience because no one does come.
At last hear the voices Of the children.
Here they come, pushing open the door and
rushing In. But all stop with cries Of a.
tonishment
At the sight Of the lamp, the stove and
the visitor who stands like magician In
the midst Of these marvels, they recoil, al
most afraid. Paulette is the first to COM
prehend. The arrival Of the grandmother,
who has como up less quickly, finishes the
explanation. Emotion, transports Of JOY,
thanksl
But the surprises are not ended. The
young sister opens the oven and discovers
some well roasted chestnuts. The grand
mother has just laid hands upon the bottles,
Of cider that garnish the sideboard, and !
take from the hamper where have con-
cealed them a stuffed tongue, piece Of
butter and some fresh bread.
This time astonishment turned into ad-
miration. The little family had never as
sisted 40 such banquet! They lay the
cloth; they sit down; they eat. tits regu-
lar feast for ell, and each one contributes
his part toward it. had brought only the
supper. The boxmaker and her grand
children furnished the good cheer.
What shouts Of laughter without causel
What confusion Of questions that do not
expect any answer, Of answers that do not
correspond to any question: The old wom-
an herself shares the high spirits of the lit
tie ones. Il have always been struck with
the ease with which the poor forget their
misery. Accustomed to live in the present,
they make the most Of pleasure whenever