The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1898-03-09
the terrace, "what are those red things
4h.t ..x.nII -

the terrace, "what are those red things
that smell so sweet?"
why, do you not know what roses
are?" cried the countess, breaking of
a large one. Here, take this one. II Is a
beauty" She leaned over the wall and
placed the flower In the grimy hand,
which was stretched up to receive IL.
Either to express his gratitude, or to
tantallze the dog, who was growing out
his severe condemnation of the whole
proceeding, the boy put the stem of the
rose between his teeth, and stood upon
his hands with his feet against the wall
Tou-Tou accepted this action rs a chal.
lenge. aud barked louder than ever.
"Oh."exclaimed the countess, "aren'i
you afraid you will injure yourself?"
For reply the boy walked across the
street on his hands and stood against the
opposite wall in similar position
From whence he contemplated the ex.
preston of fear on the countess face
with evident relish.
81 like you very much better the other
way up" she called out to him. There.
upon he turned eartwheels until he
stood beneath Ter again.
81 can 90 that all day." he said: what
can you do?"
"I'm afraid can't do anything as &C.
tive as that" answered the countess
doubtfully. II can only run in the gar.
den and romp with Tou-Tou; and even
then II ! play too hard my COVERINGS,
chides me. 1t must be glorious thing
TO be boy and go about in the won.
derful great city with no one 10 tel
you that you must not Are you never
afraid of getting lost in the big city.
IF ] ever do get lost | only have tc
keep going until find myself again,
replied the boy.
81 should like tn do it," said the count.
ess, "oh, so much"
tits easy enough" replied the boy
just swing down from the wall, I'll
catch you, and you're off,"
The countess shook her head.
"Then there's The river" the boy went
on, in persuasive tone, you dive from
the bridge and the water splashes al
over you. The mud feels so nice and
cool as ii squeezes up through your
toes. And under the bridge on the cross
beams you can lie all day in the sun and
fish; and all night you can lie there
too, and watch the stars and go to slcep
and if you wake you can listen to the
striking of the cathedral clock, and il
will tell you the hour. Will you come p
The countess clasped her hands to
gether with delight.
81 wish | were boy and could see all
those things you speak of. But | an
different. | have a governness, who
teaches me every day so many, many
things, and tells me always that shall
some day become great lady"
Pooh, you're only girl, and that i,
why you can't come" said the boy, con
temptuously.
81 know it," admitted the countess
sadly, tell me more about the big
city"
Here the conversation was interrupt
ed by the dragon, who swept suddenly
down and lifted the countess from of
the wall.
ITO whom are you talking, Mile. DIT
Tremoille? To that little ragamutfin
Go away from here al cnce, little brat
You, mademoiselle, should have better
sense than to converse like that witt
the canaille who pass in the street"
The countess suffered herself to be
led away without word, and the las
she saw of the boy he was walking on hi
hands, with the rose in his teeth.