The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-03
THE PEASANTS GRATITUDE.

1t was,NSw Year's day when a littls
boy of some 10 years of sgs, acoompan-
led by AN old servant man. was walking
from Plenhoec 10 Dolmeu, near Dip0n.
The ohild-was laughing and talking all
the way. and no walked at such rata
that the poor old seryitor could scracsiy
keep up with him.
Ii was the young Viscount Herve do
Plenhoec and he was on his way To the
chateau OF the Marquise du Dolinen To
wish her n happy New Year. lie was a
handsome lad, upright and straight as n
dart. and his large. dark eyes had an
honest frank Look In them that won all
hearts.
Presently they came within sight of
the old manor house. with It's tower and
turrets, ana the little viscount bounded
On in his hurry ID arrive. Very uncere-
moniously he rushed through the hall In
TO the long, tapestry hung drawing
room. which, with It's huge, ola fashion.
ed furniture and high ceiling. looked
like corner OF some cathedral. "A
stately looking old lady was seated. and
indeed was almost buried in an imm snse
armchair while In the wide lire place a
cheerful log iirs was cracking.
why. Herve, you must have risen
early this morning TO get here at this
time. - exclaimed the marpuise, look
ing admirinRly at the handsome boy who
had rushed In like whiriwind.
"Ob, grannie. and ! had learned such
piece OF poetry TO say TO you. but am
afraid 1 have forgotten every word OF it,
was in such hurry to get here, said
Herve ruefully.
Never mind, ws'll have 1t another
time, said the indulRent old lady. You
shall see first how you like your pres
ents.
On table near wero the said presents,
some story books, some games and--a
gun, real gun Herve was nearly be-
sids himself with joy. For two long
years he had wished for q gun, but his
parents had always been afraid Of an ac-
cident and had refused 10 get him one.
his large eyes lighted up with pride and
delight as he handled. his precious treas.
ure, and, oh, how ne wished there were
some enemy now before him that ne
could try his aim at once!
Herve belonged TO q family in which
ali the men had been soldiers, and most
of his ancestors had met their death Oh
the battlefield. is grandfather had been
killed In the Crimean war during the
siege Of Sebastopol, and Herve had AL
ways delighted in hearing tales OF wars.
On his way home again that afternoon
Herye Kept admiring his precious gun.
The old servitor was carrying all the
other presents, but the boy could not
trust his treasure to any other hands,
and he kept pulling the trigger and de-
it.
They had gone along some distance
when Herve became aware that a little
boy was following them, and ss ho kept
quite near all the time the little viscouDt
turned round at last and looked mt him.
He was a boy OF about his own age, but
very poorly clad, and the thin. sunksn
checks and pale face told OF hunger and
suffering, while the dark eyes looked so
wistfully at him that Herve said kindly
What is iJ you want, little boyy"
Nothing. | was only looking at the
gun. replied the little lad, abashed.
Whats your manner" asked Herve.
''lanneRuy replied the other child
II live near TO your HOUSE,, and l often
watch you riding on your pony And
then, EN- boldened by Herve's kindly man
ner the poor little fellow venturcd TO
put one finger on the shining trigger Of
the marvellous treasure.
Its one az my presents. " said Herve
'Isn' t IL fine onel Have you had any
presentsg' he asked. The poor little fell
low laughed bitterly. There's nobody 10
give me anything. My parents are
dead. ~
Herve looked at all the parcels the old
servant man was carrying. and he said
eagerly: Choose one OF my presents, lit
tie boy. F"
The lad glanced at all the parcels in
differently, anu then his eyes went back
to the one treasure, the coveted gun. and
he snook his head.
mo. Books and games wouldn't be
much use to me. Can / look at the gun
Can / hold IL minute"
Herve handed 1t TO him, and they all
three walked along little way together,
Tanneguy pressing the trigger and lis
tening with delight to the CLICK, as Herve
had done. The little visoount looked
very thoughtful, and then he said:
And you haven't got mother ol
any one, and you haven't had one pres
ont?'
"No, replied the otner sorrowfuIly,
his eyes still fixed on the weapon he was
holding so carefully.
nerve was silent again for O minute
He was having an inward struggle with
himself. AT length be said, i'm mpetuousIy,
IS though afraid of allowing himself to
hesitate;
Little boy, you can keep my gun, be-
cause you have not got mother or any
one. -
Tanneguy gszed at him. speechless with
astonishment ana 10y. His pale a. eeks
flushed and the tears came into his eyes,
but he could not lind any words with
which to thank the little viscount
Time passed away, and Herve went