The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-09-07
CHAPTER u.-fCoxrrNuEp.1

ION carriage entry ne eSpied a little
dark figure perched In a meditativt
attitude and Immediately recognized
Jean-Marie.
"Ahaw he said. stopping before him
humorously, with hand on either
knee. so We rise early in the morn
ing do we? 1t appears to me that we
have all the vices of philosopher"
The boy got to his feet and made a
grave salutation.
And how is our patient?" asked
Desprez..
1t appeared the patient. was about the
same.
"And why do you rise early in the
morning." he pursued.
Jean-Marie, after long silence, pro-
fessed that he hardly knew.
you hardly know repeated Des-
pref. 1--WE hardly know anything, my
man, until we try to learn. Interro-
gate your conscience. Come, push me
this inquiry home. Do you like it,"
YES" said the boy, slowly; Eyes.
like it."
And why do you like it," continued
the Doctor. "(We are now pursuing the
Socratic method) Why do you like it,"
ut Is quiet" answered Jean Marie !;
and l have nothing to do; and then
feel as IL were good"
Doctor Desprez took a seat on the
post at the opposite side. He was be-
ginning to take an interest In the talk,
for the boy plainly thought before he
spoke, and tried to answer truly. 1T
appears you have taste for feeling
good" said the Doctor. Nov, there
you puzzle me extremely; for l thought
you said you were thief; and the two
are Incompatible"
"Is 1t very bad to steal?" asked JEAN
Marie.
Such is the general opinion, little
boy" replied the Doctor.
mo; but mean as I STOLE" ex-
claimed the other. "For had no
choice. l think it is surely right to
have bread; 1t must be right to have
bread, there comes SO plain a want OF
it. And then they beat me cruelty If !
returned with nothing" he added. 81
was not ignorant of right and wrong;
for before that had been well taught
by a priest, who was very kind to me-"
(The Doctor made a horrible grimace
at the word "priest."O But it seemed
to me. when one had nothing to eat
and was beaten, 1t was a different af-
fair. would not have stolen for tart
lets. believe; but any one would steal
for bakers bread"
And so l suppose" said the Doctor,
with rising sneer, you prayed God to
forgive you, and explained the case
to Him at length"
"Why, sir?" asked jean Marie. 81
do not see."
Your priest would see, however"
retorted Desprez.
Would he?" asked the boy, troubled
Tor the first time, Il should have
thought God would have known"
>'Eh?" snarled the Doctor.
Il should have thought God would
have understood me-" replied the
other. You do not, see; but then it
was God that made me think so, was
1T not?'''
Little boy, little boy" said Doctor
Desprez, Il tolL you already you had
the vices of philosophy; IL you display
the virtues also. must go. l am a
student Of the blessed laws of health,
an observer Of plain and temperate ma
ture in her common walks; and can
not preserve my equanimity in pres
ence OF a monster. Do you under
-stand?"
No, sir" said the boy.
Il will make my meaning clear to
you" replied the Doctor. Look here
at the sky-behind the belfry first,
where 1t is SO light, and then up and
mp; turning your chin back, right to
the top OF the dome, where it is al
ready as blue as at noon. Is not that
beautiful color? Does it not please
the heart? We have seen it all our
lives. until it has grown in with our
familiar thoughts. Now" changing his
tone. suppose that sky to become sud
denly of live and fiery amber, like the
color of clear Goals, and growing scar
let toward the tOp-I do not say il
would be any the less beautiful; but
would you like 1t as well?"
Il suppose not" answered Jean
Marie
Neither do like YOU" returned the
Doctor, roughly. Il hate all odd peo-
pie, and you are the most curious little
boy in all the world"
Jean-Marie seemed to ponder for
a while, and then he raised his head
again and looked over at the Doctor
with an air of candid inquiry. But
are not you very curious gentle
MANI ne asked.
The Doctor threw away his stick,
bounded on the boy, clasped him to
lis bosom, and kissed him on both