The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-06-10
JEAN AND LITTLE VIOLET.

AZ IIlOIL > NOIE.- L lie IOllOWluR
dramatic and painful story illustrates
in brief compass not only the mystic
rIes OF life but of the human heart as
well. The story as here told is true
one with nothing added or changed
except names of persons or places. 1t
brings out with startling distinctness
how slight is the foundation upon
which much human happiness rests,
and how easily that foundation may
crumble to hopeless ruins. Only the
main incidents are attempted to be
given here and as briefly as possible.
Jean D'ArchOn had begun life as a
favored child of a well-tO-do notary
in one of the southern provinces of
France. His father had his heart set
upon giving his only son the advan-
tage Of a thorough education at one
of the great medical schools of Paris.
The boy had passed all his life in the
quiet country town where his father
lived, and had made good use of his
time at the public schools. OF an
open hearted, genial disposition he
had made friends with everybody,
and won the esteem of the older citi-
zens, who always referred to Jean as
a promising lad.
lie was sent away to the medical
school when only sixteen years old,
and the father reioiced at the pros
pect of his returning home after his
five years of hard study had been
completed and he had taken his de-
gree as a doctor Of medicine.
| shall not follow the lads career
while atschooI. It's enough to know
that at first he seemed to devote his
whole time and energies to carrying
out the wishes of his father He had
a liberal allowance of money sent him
regularly by his father, who was only
too proud to have his only son keep
up in appearances with his associates
The boy, however, was unfortunate
in the choice of his friends or compan-
ions, and in a few months was pursu-
ing a downward course of wild
excuses and dissipation. He still
managed to keep his place in school,
and possessing the entire confidence
of his parents found it an easy matter
to deceive them as to the true state Of
affairs. At last, however, he commit
ted some indiscretion for which he
was compelled to leave the school
ltNr l,a J
wrought his undoing. His parents
were completely heartbroken with
the cruel news and mourned their
poor boy as one dead.
Jean became a wandering advent
urer, roaming from city to city and
from one country to another, ming
ling with the evil men of his class.
Finally he was taken sick, a serious
attack Of hemorrhage of the lungs,
while at Baden Baden, and was sent
to public hospital, a broken down
man at twenty-eight. Fortunately
for Jean the hospital attendants took
a great interest in the poor fellow.
Wretched as his life had been his evil
ways had not altogether hardened his
heart, and his natural good sense
responded to the sympathy expressed
for him in his unfortunate condition.
His illness gave him time to reflect
over the mistakes of his youth, and
he cursed the hour that he had given
way to the evil counsels of his COM
panions.
The superintendent of the hospital
was worthy man named NauX, who
always took great interest in such
cases as Jeans, and helped them to
his rounds through the wards, NauX
was frequently accompanied by his
little grandchild, a baby girl of six
years with the smiling face of a
cherub. Jeans heart went out to
the child at once, for he recalled III
her fresh, innocent face the vision OF
little sister that had died at about
the age of Annette, the hospital fairy
Happily for Jean, little Annette
claimed him as her Bon Ami, and
insisted upon frequent visits to Jeans
bedside. The attachment was mu.
tual, and what with careful nursing
and Annette's companionship Jean il
few months was pronounced conva.
descent.
He had something in life to live f0l
now; Annette was his ideal, and hel
innocence was the sheet anchor OF
his hope. He would reclaim himself
for the sake of the heart that haC
touched his own. Through the re
gardful kindness of DR.. NauX, Jean
was given a place as an assistant il
private hospital in the same city
With new purpose in his hear
Jean now became as studious as ht
had before been dissipated and rose
rapidly in his profession. He was ;
regular visitor at the home OF DR.
VauX, and none more happy than
Jean with his little friend Annette