The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-12-29
Marie and Her
Little Ragged Doll.

| shouted Il chorus of childish voices i'll
the Rue Imperialo of Lyons. They were
gamins of the town, who, i'll band,
crowded around Marshal Castellane on
tho LIST of January, 1857. The big
hearted man. who was Mt that time
military governor of the town, finding
himself surrounded by the young ur-
ohins conceived strange idea, which
was both tho indication and the result
of his nature.
you want New Years gifts, my
boys2" said he.
Yes, yesr' shouted the youngsters in
chorus.
Very well, my little friends; you
must win them. "
win them How?
. BY taking them by storm. "
"IIow SOP
''The thing is very simple, You see
that candy store there ut the corner of
the street2'
Yes, marshal. "
- Very we'll, Take it by storm, and
when you capture it you are mt liberty
to sack it, Everything that it contains
will be yours.
The youngsters were delighted In
short order they picked npall the stones
that they could lay their hands ON and
sent volley after volley Mt the windows.
For IA moment nothing could be heard
but the ringing chatter of broken glass
Out bounded tho proprietor with u
big stick III his hand. He was about to
charge upon the young vandals when
he noticed Marshal Castellnne, half
choked with laughter, endeavoring to
order II second bombardment The Incl
dent Immediately became clear to the
shopkeeper's mind, and he, too, burst
out laughing
When the breach was made, the little
rascals rushed into the shop, opening tho
door simply TO avoid the necessity of
| passing through the windows Then
| they made n furious attack upon the
| candies and cleaned out almost tho en-.
tire stock.
When that expedition was over, the
marshal ordered second ono against a
cakoshop The little army, command
ed by Castellane, won another victory,
the recompense for which was the abb
sorption of an immense number Of
cakes.
The two battles and the damages cost
tho millionaire marshal nearly 100, 900
francs. That was his contribution in
the form of New Years gifts for the
gamins Of Lyons
On the following year ho had another
adventure. This time the military gov
ernor in tho course Of un evening walk,
stopped by chance in front Of mn an
tiquary's store, where there were some
curious old things displayed in the win
dow Among some objects of a rare
value was little ragged doll, well
worn aud evidently of the cheapest
| kind, just about good enough for junk
| shop.
How it got there among the objects
Of the antiquary was the thing that
| puzzled the marshal. just then little
girl came up in II hurry, carrying loaf
Of bread under her arm. Shivering in
the cold January wind, she drew over
! her thin shoulders little faded shawl
while her dress, worn and light chung
to her frail limbs Mt each step she took
The little one opened the door, and,
without entering, said to the shoplseeper:
"Mr. Antoine, did anybody make an
offer for my doll?''
Five cents was all that | was offer
ed for it, " replied "A hoarso voice.
That not enough, said the little
one. Then she closed the door, and
with sigh, continued her journey.
| fTbn ,,u,.aI,n1 f,lI,,u,I h.. DI,u.I,y I,,t
she did not notice him Sho entered
poor, tumble down house and mounted
tho stairs. When she came to the gar
ret landing the child opened door
and disappeared. Castellano stealthily
crept up and listened at the door,
"You were very long, Marie, and the
little ones are dreadfully hungry. said
the voice of "A woman inside.
"Thc baker refused to give us any
more credit, and had to talk to him,
replied the little girl. "But anyway
here is the bread, mamma. Let mo cut
1t for the children -
The marshal did not need to hear any
more He understood the case thorough
ly. In hurry he returned to the anti
quarry, and, pointing TO the old doll,
asked:
'How much for this doll?"
Anything you wish, sir, said the
dealer.
"Well, let us say 100 francs. y
"You arc joking. are you not
"Not at all Here's the money"
ooh, my dear sir, if you only knew
the good that you are about to do y
"To whom
ITO little girl in the neighborhood,
the eldest Of numerous family in des
peratc straits. The father is at present
in the hospital. They are unfortunate
people, bat very honest, l can assure
you. The little girl told me to find a
purchaser for that old doll. She fan
cied, poor thing, that she would get 10
cents for it. l never thought could
sell it. You say 100 francs?"
II said 100 francs, and l have just
finished counting out the amount, and
here it is. I" And the marshal placed 70
franc pieces on the little counter of
the shop. The dealer wrapped the doll
in paper and presented it to him, with
many thanks and benedictions in the
name Of the family.
Without paying much attention to