St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-08-10
Il never saw . little creatur' with

ing ana tapping his cane on the floor.
This first appearance of the little
foreigner on an April day was like the
coming of young queen to her king
dom. She reigned all summer over
every heart in Dulham-not face but
wore its smiles when French Mary
came down the street. not a mother
who did not say To her children that
she wished they had sach pretty man
ners and kept their frocks as neat
The child danced and sang like a fairy.
and condescended to all childish
games. and vet. best Of all for her
friends. seemed to see no difference be-
tween young and old. She sometimes
followed Capt Weathers home and
discreetly dined or took tea with him
and his housekeeper. An honored
guest: on rainy days She might be
found in the shoemakers shop or the
biacksmith's, watching them at their
work; smiling much but speaking lit
tie. and teaching as much French as
she learned English. To this day. in
pulham, people laugh and repeat her
strange foreign words and phrases.
Alexis, the father. was steady at his
work OF gardening and haying: Marie.
the elder. his wife. washed and ironed
and sewed and swept. and was helper
in many households: now and then on
Sunday they set off early in the MORN
ing and walked to the manufacturing
town whence they had come. to go to
mass; at the end of the summer, when
they felt prosperous, they sometimes
hired horse and wagon and drove
there with the child between them.
l'ulham village was the brighter and
better for their presence. and the few
old-fashioned houses that knew them
treasured them, and French Mary
reigned over her kingdom with no re-
volt or disaffection to the summers
end. She seemed to fulfill all the du-
ties of her childish life by some exquis-
ite instinct and infallible sense of fit
ness 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. appre-
henSlve and fOrewarned.
Alexis says he's going right away"
trsgret was mingled with the JOY Of
having piece of news to tell. .Yes,
Alexis is going away: he's packing up
now. and has spoken for Fosters hay
cart to move his stuff to the railroad
What makes him SO foolish?- said
MIR. Spooner.
He says his folks expect him in
Canada: he's got an aunt livin 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"
I've heard these French folks only
desire to get forehanded a little, and
then they go right back where they
come from" said some one. with an air
Of disapproval.
''IIe says he'll send another man
here: he knows somebody that will be
glad of the chance, but don't seem to
like the idea SO WELL" said Capt.
Wcathers, doubtfully. We've all got
SO used to Alexis and his wife: they
know now where we keep everything
and have got to be SO handy. Strange
they don't know when they're well off
| suppose it's natural they should
want to he with their own folks. Then
there's the little girl
At this moment the store door was
opened and French Mary came in. She
was dressed in her best and her ewes
were shining.
Il go to Canada in re cars!'' she an
nounced joyfuliy. and came dancing
down between the two long counters |
her regretful friends: they had |
never seen her so charming.
argument and regret were impos-
forebodings of elderly men
and their experience Of life were Of no |
use at that moment, a gleam of youth |
and hope was theirs by sympathy in
stecd. A child's pleasure in journey
moves the dullest heart: the captain
was the first to find some means of ex-
preston.
Give me some o that best candy for
her. he commanded the storekeeper.
no, take a bigger piece of paper, and
lie it up WE'LL
''Ain't she dressed a little thin?" said |
gruff Mr.. Spooner. anxiously, and for
his part he pointed the storekeeper to
/ small plaid shawl that hung over
head and stopped to wrap it himself
A bout the little shoulders.
Il must get the little girl something.
loo." said the minister. who was
and had just come in Tor
his mail. What do you like best, my
lear?" and French Mary pointed shyly.
,ut with instant decision. at a blue
.ilk parascl. with white handle.
which was somewhat the worse for
having been openly displayed all sum
ner. The minister bought it with
pleasure. like q country boy at a fair,
md put it into her hand.
French Mary kissed the minister
With rapture, and gave him her hand
o shake, then she put down the para
ol and ran and climbed into the old
aptain's lap and hugged him with
10Th arms tight round his neck. She
hought for moment whether she
hould kiss Mr.. Ezra Spooner or not,
'ut happily she did not decide against
/. and said an affect,onate goodby to
i'm and all the rest. Mr.. Staples
imself came out from behind the
ounter to say farewell and bestow
ONE raisinA They all followed her
o the door and stood watching while
he tucked her bundles under her arm
nd raised the new parasol and walked
way down the street in the chilly au-
umn morning. She had taken her
'rench gayety and charm and all her
hildish sweetness and dignity away
nth her. Little French Mary bad
one. Fate had plucked her like a
over out of their lives.
She did not turn back, hut when |
he was halfway home she began to
un, and the new shawl was given
ayly to the breeze. The captain
ighed.
Il wish the little girl WE'LL he said,
nd turned away. I'VE shall miss her,
ut she doesn't know what parting is. :
hope she'll please them just as we'll
a Canada. --Globe-D Democrat.