The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1899-09-15
CHAPTER 11,-(CoSr,xuEp.)

chu"ch tower looked very airy IN the
sun, light; few birds that turned about
1t seemed to swim in an atmosphere of
more than usual rarity; and the Doc
tor, walking in long transparent
shadows, filled his lungs amply, and
proclaimed himself we'll contented with
the morning.
On one of the posts before Tentail-
Ions carriage entry he espied little
dark figure perched in meditative
attitude and Immediately recognized
Jean-Marie.
"Aha!'' he said, stopping before him
humorously, with hand on eithe:
knee. 80 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
grave salutaton.
And how is our patient?" asked
Desprez.
1t appeared the patient was about the
sane.
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-
pre-. I'VE hardly know anything, my
man, until we try to learn. lnterro-
gate your conscience. Come, push me
this inquiry home. Do you like it?"
Yes" said the boy, slowly; Eyes, I
like it,"
And why do you like it," continued
the Doctor. 1--WE are now pursuing the
s'ocratic methodD Why do you like it? ?"
1T is quiet" answered Jean-Marie;
land l have nothing to do; and then
zee! as if We're 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. "It
appears YOU have taste for feeling
good said the Doctor. Nov, there
you puzzle me extremely; for thought
You said you were a thief; and the two
are incompatible"
a" Is it very bad to steal?" asked jean
E:arie
''s@ch is the general opinion, little
boy" replied the Doctor.
NO; but mean as l STOLE" ex-
claimed the other. "For l had no
choice. l think it is surely right to
have bread; it must be right to have
bread, there comes so plain want Of
it. And then they beat me cruelty if
returned with nothing" he added. Il
Was not ignorant of right and wrong;
tor before that I had been we'll taught
b. priest who was very kind to me-"
tThe Doctor made a horrible grimace
at the word "priest.') But it seemed
to me. when one had nothing to eat
and was beaten, it was a different af-
fair. l would not have stolen for tart
lets. l believe; but any one would steal
for bakers bread"
And so I suppose" said the Doctor,
with rising sheer, you prayed God to
forgive you, and explained the case
to Him at length"
Why, sir?" asked Jean-Marie. 81
do Tot see"
Your priest would see, however,"
retorted Desprez.
Would he?" asked the boy, troubled
for 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
it not:"
Little boy, little boy" said Doctor
Desprez, II told you already you had
the vices OF philosophy; if you display
the virtues also, l 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 I 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 it is so light, and then up and
up; turning your chin back, right tc
the top Of the dome, where it is al.
ready as blue as at noon. Is not thai
a beautiful color? Does it not please
the heart? We have seen it all oul
lives, until it has grown in with ou1
familiar thoughts. Now" changing hi.
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-1 do not say i
would be any the less beautiful; bu
would you like it as well?"
II suppose not" answered Jean
Marie.
Neither do like you,' returned tn,
Doctor, roughly. II hate all odd peo
pie, and you are the most curious littl
boy in all the world"
Jean-Marie seemed to ponder TO
a while, and then he raised his hea,
again and looked over at the Docto
with ar air of candid inquiry. "Bu
are not you very curious gentle
mani" he asked.
The Doctor threw away his stick
bounded on the boy, clasped him t
.fis bosom, and kissed him on bot
.iss !" < dmfrahlo admirable ;rny, ;,