The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-22

4Edln. -.
Feed them and notify the police"
said the mother, practically.
She took them into the tiny cabin
sparkling in its neatness. and told them
10 walt till she made a little soup. VAR
In The middle stood an old wicker cage
With sides sloping nwards like an ex-
tingu.sher. ana into this cage she
popped the baby. But the baby had
other views, for her immediate well
fare in life, and beat her pink hands
against the rods OF the cage. and open
ing rosebud mouth. gave most mag
vnificent yell.
I'VE will play with her" said Pascal.
sitting down on the floor. and beginning
TO clap his wooden shoes together IN
attractive noises.
Well now. that's an idea" said the
mother. picking the baby out OF the
cage. and placing her between Pascal
and Pierre. VIII obegan TO chatter Win
her in inarticulate but perfectly salts
Factory baby language. Baby smiled a
benign smile, and was at peace with all
the world, since the world was now ar
ranged In accordance with her wishes
she took their hands in her own and
cooeu at them, and indicated desire
Tor more noise. Pascal and Pierre beat
furious tattoo and baby screamed
with JOY. The mother smiled and nod
ded her head encouragingly at the little
group.
The Giant at length came to rest at
the Quay OF Bercy. among the other
parges from the Marne and the Rhone
ana even from as far off as Macon,
Dion and Lyons. The police were notl-
ned OF the existence of Pascal and
Pierre and OF their unaccountable ad-
vent into the small world OF the
friendly Giant. who had so Hospitality
sheltered them In his capacious arms.
Paris is careful of fits children. and
duly inscribed rascal and Pierre upon
hs registers, WIZ view TO piecng to-
gether their broken history. IL possible
In the meantime Paris made a small
allowance TO the genial Giant for the
Feeding of his fosterlings while con-
Quoting these investigations.
investigations OF this sort are slow
anywhere, but in Paris they proceed
at geological pace. so that the Giant
was relieved Of his load and was ready
TO proceed down the river again long
before anything was discovered. Paris
therefore, was pleased To permit that
the twins should remain with the Giant
pending the discovery OF something
about them.
We are going down the river away
from Paris said the mother to them,
we are going 10 Normandy. All But
that is a beautiful land. There you see
trees loaded with golden apples. and
cows In the meadows and white ducks
and geese swimming. across the river"
Pascal and Pierre talked this matter
over In their little bed in the middle
hold; there was room now and To spare
in the vast empty barge.
Il don't mind going away from Par
| is,P said Pierre.
"Oh. Paris is all very well for those
| poor children who can't live in a
barge" said Pascal. loftily.
| We haven't looked for the father yet.
Shall We wait for the next voyage up?"
We don't so much need father now
we've got Bebe TO love-
Yes, think she Is nice. maybe" as
| sentei Pierre.
I'VE can love her, oh, ever so much"
said Pascal, generously.
| The voyage down the river was an
| immense delight. Accustomed now to
life on barge, the little boys were per-
| mittei To run about over the, deck
| pretty muchs as they pleased. Wha,
| they liked to do was TO sit i'm the great
coil OF rope behind the towing mast
and pretend that the big strands were
the walls of house. There thu sa
like two birds in "A nest watching thu
wonderful sights of the city as the,
moved down the sparkling river. The,
could see the swift little steamers pack
ed with people darting about from pie
TO pier. and the black engines plAnpin,
up the water from the new docks. Their
| were go many things to look at the lad
knew not where to begin. and so. lik
the wise little men they were. they be
| gan at what came first. The smoke q
the tug interested them as much as an,
thing. and they began TO understand
that when fresh black burst OF smok
came ii meant that the Giant would &
faster through the water. and woul'
spout up the foam faster and still fast
| er from his broad bluff brow
| At Suresnes there is a lock where tn
barges huddle up close together In TIL
black gulf Officlaldom in blue uniform
top boots and cooked hat. while inspect
ing the barge for general reasons. wa
inspired by a flash Of recollection.
"Humph" said vi. No. 20. TO himsel
those lads are like the description o
the lost children"
He pulled out paper from his pock
| ct and read.
Exactly" said VI. No. 23 and forth
with he boarded the Giant, and hell
| conference with the owner at the tiller
MY children" said the policeman
"come with me-" And Pascal and Pierr
began to cry. for they had feared po
Iicemen instinctively all their lives.
Poor lads!'' said the mother. plying
ly. II am sorry you can't come with u
To Normandy. But see. here are two ap
| pies for YOU and when we come nj
|
er. and bring Bebe TO visit you
Somewhat comforted by this prospect
Pascal and Pierre struggled bravel.
with their tears, and followed vi, Nc
% away to Rueil. JEAN the gardener
was glad to get them back for man.
reasons. and when he heard how the,
had run away TO Paris TO look for
father there. he was mollified towar'
! the small culprits
You wanted a father to love you
did your"
yes IL you please" said the twins.
"Weil. look at me. am old. but
have never found my father yet. LonI
ago used to hope ! would. All, but yo'
can't find everything in this world--n
not even If you SO to look for II II
Paris"
"No. sir" said the twins, looking cad
,v down at their wooden shoes.
A wave OF recollection of his own dis
anpointment when he made this discov
erv swept over Jean. He looked with
softened eve at the sad faces OF tn
iitfIe lads whom he had hitherto con
sidered i'm the light OF an income only
INV little men," he said kindly 'yo'
uilI never find your father, not if yo'
snend All YOUR lives searching tn
1 "' D,rtg Rnf ~ Won will low