Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-05-26
The Child Spy.

His name was Stenne; little Stenne
hey called him. He was gamin of
IFrS, pale and thin, who might have
been 10 years old, perhaps 10; one can
never tell the age of these children.
+ His mother was dead; his father, an
bid soldier, patrolled a square in the
gghborhoOd of the Temple. Babies
rurSes, old women, all those helpless
PERSONS who ran the risk of being
tamped on in the crowded streets,
heW Pere Stenne, and loved him, too.
They knew that that fierce mustache,
The terror of dogs and pickpockets,
uncealed lips that could smile, and
! hat to provoke that smile one had
! only to say:
How is your little boy today?"
And how he loved that little boy!
How proud he was when in the even
Ing the little fellow came to join him
land the two made the rounds together,
greeting everyone they met.
With the siege, everything was
changed. Pere Stenne's square was
closed to the public. He was COM
PEELED to keep a constant lookout with
out his pipe or his son. When he
spoke of the Prussians his mustache
vas sight to see. Little Stenne did
not find the new life so disagreeable,
however. A siege! That meant fun
Tor gamins. No school, no duties; va
alton all the time, and the streets as
lively as on gala days. The boys stay
ID out of doors, running about until
hight. He followed the attachments
4 troops to the Notifications, choos-
1g those which had good music; he
aS very particular on that point. At
Their times he watched them at their
rill.
The most interesting of all, though,
ere the games of chance the Breton
oops made popular at this time.
hen little Stenne was not at the ram
rtS or at the shops you would be sure
find him watching a crowd play
'lOche at the Place du Chateau
Eau. He never played it; it took too
uch money. He contented himself
It'll watching the others, and with
Oh expression! One in particular,
great fellow with a blue coat, who
aked only 100-sou pieces, excited his
miration. When this boy ran one
Id her the coins rattle in his
oket.
)ne day, as little Stenne was stoop-
; down to pick up a piece which had
led under his feet, the fellow said
a low voice:
That makes you squint, hey? Well,
you want me to, will tell you where
get plenty of them"
The offer was accepted, and leading
enne aside he asked the boy to go
tn him to sell French newspapers to
g Prussians, adding that they could
AXE 80 francs a trip. Stenne indig-
ntly refused, and for three days he
NAMED away from the place. Three
Ouu1u udyS, uS COu1u AOAIAOA OtsS AOA
Yep. At night he seemed TO see the
lie of galoches at the foot OF his bed.
Id the 100-sou pieces cleaning in
e faint light The temptation proved
o strong. The fourth day he return
to the gaming place, saw the big
How, and agreed to go with him.
They set out one snowy morning
It'll sacks on their shoulders, and the
lpers hidden under their jackets.
hen they reached the Flanders gate
was scarcely daylight. The large boy
Ok little Stenne's hand, and, APP
oaching the guard, who had red
Use and kindly manner, he said, in
whining tone: please let us pass,
nd sir. Our mother is sick and our
Their Is dead. We are going to see
We can find some potatoes in the
I'D outside"
he even shed tears. Stenne, much
hung his head. The sentinel