The Washington times., 1895-05-31

the elder, his wife, washed and ironed and
sewed and swept, and was a helper in many
households; now and then on Sunday they
set off early in the morning and walked TO
the manufacturing town whence they had
come to go to mass; at the end of the sum
mer, when they felt prosperous, they some
times hired horse and wagon and drove
there with the child between them. Dull
ham village was the brighter and better for
their presence, and the few old fashioned
houses tnat knew them treasured them, and
French Mary regned oyerher kingdom with
no revolt or disaffection to the summers
end. She seemed to fulfill all the duties
of her childish life by some exquisite in
stinct and infallible sense of fitness and
propriety.
One September morning. after the first
frost the Captain and his friends were
sitting in the store with the door shut.
The Captain was the last conner.
I've got bad news" he said. and they
all turned toward him, apprehensve and
forewarned.
Alexis says he's going right away
(regret was mingled with the JOY OF hav-
ing piece OF ne ws to tell. "Yes, Alexis
is going away; he's packing up now, and has
spoke for Fosters hay cart to move his
stuff to the railroad"
what makes him so foolish?" said Mr..
Spooner.
hG says HIS lOikS eAptCt DlBl III SdIl-
ada; he's got an aunt Twin there that owns
good house and farm, and she's gittin'
old and wants to have him settled at
home to take care Of her"
1--WE heard these French folks only de-
sire to get forehanded little, and then
they go right back where they come from" "
said some one, with an air of disapproval.
He says he'll send another man here;
he knows somebody that Will be glad of
ha lint /
idea so we'll" said Capt. Weathers,
oubtfully We've all got SO used TO
Alexis and his wife; they know now where
we keep everything and have got 10 be so
handy. Strange they don't know when
they're well off. suppose it's natural
they should want 10 be with their own
folks Then there's the little girl.
AT this moment the store door was
opened aud French Mary came in. She was
, dressed in her best and her eyes Were
shining.
II go to Canada in re cars!" she an
! nounced JoyfulIy. and came dancing down
between the two long counters toward her
regretful friends; they had never seen her
so charming.
Argument and regret were impossible
the forebodings of elderly men and their
experience of life were of no use at that
moment. a CLEAN of youth and hope was
theirs by sympathy instead. A child S
pleasure in a journey moves the dullest
heart; the captain was the first to find
some means of expression.
Give me some o. that best candy for
her." he commanded the storekeeper.
/ mo, take q bigger piece of paper, and tie
ii up well.
+ Amt she dressed a little thin?' said
! gruff Mr.. Spooner anxiously, and for bis
! part be pointed the storekeeper to a small
+ plaid shawl that hung overhead, and
! stopped to wrap it himself about the lit
| tie shoulders.
81 must get the little girl something
| too" said the minister, who was a grand
! father, and had just come in for his mail
what do you like best, my dear?' and
French Mary pointed shyly, but with in.
/ slant decision, at blue silk parasol with
a white handle, which was somewhat the
worse for having been openly displayed
all summer The minister bought it with
pleasure, like a country boy at a fair, and
! put it into her hand.
French Mary kissed the minister with
rapture, aud gave him her hand to shake
] then she put down the parasol and ran and
| climbed into the old captains lap, and
hugged him with both arms tight around his
neck. She thought for moment whether
| she should kiss Mr.. Ezra Spoouer or not but
! happily she did not decide against 1t, ano
| said an affectionate goodbye to him an6
| all the rest. Mr. Staples himself came out
| from behind the counter to say farewell, and
| bestow some raisius. They all followed
! erto the door and stood watching her while
! she tucked her bundles under her arm, and
raised the new parasol and walked away
! down the street in the chilly autumn morn
| ing. She had taken her French gayetJ
charm aud all her childish sweetness ano
dignity away with her. Little French
Mary had gone. Fate had plucked. hel
| like a flower out of their lives.
She did not turn back, but when SHE