The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-07-21
"CHARITY.
IFrom the chicago News.1

I'VE have nothing for you, mademoi-
selle. nothing at all. am sorry"
Jacinthe Havel bowed her head and
departed. How many times in the last
few weeks had she heard those words
of cruel encouragement!
The young girl walked along the Rue
de la Chaise to the square of the Bon
Marche, where she seated herself on a
bench to rest and to collect her ideas,
scattered anew by this last refusal.
Always the samei In this great beau
tiful city of Paris, no way to gain the
bread to sustain life. Ali around her
joyful activity and plenty; within desc
lation and hopelessness. At the offices
and agencies where situations are to
be obtained nothing for her. The re-
quest to come in again some day.
which always followed the disappoint-
ing words sounded ironical to the young
girl. 1t was easy enough to come again,
but how was she to live in the mean
time? Two months age she had left
her position as music teacher in a girls
school, and, in spite of her constant
efforts, Jacinthe had not been able to
find a similar situation, or even pupils
for single lessons. Her slender resources
were rapidly diminishing. That morn
ing she had paid the months rent for
her little room and there remained to
her just 40 francs, in two gold pieces,
which she carried in purse in her
hand. How she hated to open this purse!
When it was absolutely empty, what
should she do?
she did not notice that twilight was
falling until she suddenly realized that
the shadows had deepened into dark
ness. The chill of early spring was in
the air, and Jacinthe ShiVered as she
looked about her at the deserted place.
She rose and prepared to descend to the
Rue de la Sevres, where the lighted
shops gave the effect of offering warmth
and hospitality.
''MademOiSelle@
Jacinthe turned in some alarm to see
who addressed her. making a motion of
flight. But in the dying light she saw
a face full of such misery and suffering
that she paused and continued looking
at the figure of a young man, shabb1ly
dressed, which still betrayed a bearing
above that of the ordinary beggar.
DO not be afraid, mademoiSelle. 1t
is I who am afraid. Can you give me
something to buy little bread? have
eaten nothing since yesterday morning.
1 am starving.
His voice, weak and trembling, be-
trayed the struggle between his desire
for food and his shame at asking for it.
Jacinthe was touched. She opened her
purse.
Il am very poor, too" she said, but
1 have never known hunger.
1T was because I saw you were In
yOu,'' replied this strange beggar. All
day I have wandered about, driven by
this terrible hunger which gnawS inside
me. I have not dared to ask for food,
for did not know how to beg. I saw
you come in here, and 1 thought you
looked kind and good. 1 knew you
would understand. I have watched you,
not liking to interrupt your thoughts,
until you rose to go"
The tears gathered in Jacinthe's eyes.
Are you out of wOrk?"
81 came to study medicine he an
swered 81 thought I could find enough
to do to pay my way through the school.
For awhile things went well, but now
have had to leave and can not even
r,Fe ,i,afr 1fxraI
From the purse the two gold pieces
glittered up into the eyes of the young
girl She reflected that they were all
She had left in the world. By a sudden
impulse she turned them both out in her
hand.
See" she said, ''they are all have.
We will divide. Take one"
mo- nor said the man. Il can not
accept SO much. You must not make
please take It'll I beg you tol Per
haps separated they will bring good for
tune to both Of u.s."
Her beautiful eyes were raised to his
in an earnest appeal. He hesitated, but
reading their expression Alright he ac-
copied the proffered gold piece.
May your hope be realized he said
will you leave me your address, so
that may return it when camp
No, no. she said, starting away.
''Goodby, and good luck
"At least your name. mademoiselle,"
he said, following her.
She turned a little Il am called ia |
cinthe,' she said over her shoulder, and
he caught the &ision of a fleeing smile |
before she disappeared in the shadows. |
"Jacinthe," murmured the man. 1T |
is a beautiful name. I will never forget |
it,
AS if the gold piece had indeed |
brought him luck, Pierre Dagerol enter |
ed from that evening upon a career |
which grew more prosperous and happy |
as the days passed.
oil ,,
the money in his hand, he wished that |
he might keep it unbro1en as a talisman |
but his hunger was too pressing to ad- /
nit of cherishing sentimental ideas. He |
looked for cafe and ran into a young |
man hurrying in the opposite direction. |
Hello! What lucki I've been looking |
for you for three days. Where on earth |
have you been hiding?'
Pierre recognized one of the students |
at the medical school who had been very
to him. His name was Maxim,
and he was a good fellow in every
sense of the term. Rich, in good society, |
ne was nevertheless companionabIe with
the men of all classes and distinctions
who assembled at the lectures.
What did you want with me?" Pierre
asked.
"AI in good time, my dear fellow.
Don't rush me. Where are you going?"
ITO dinner"
Good! Come with me. invite you to
better, over a good dinner"
Pierre accepted, superstitiously pleased
at keeping his lucky gold piece unbro-
ken for still little longer.
Once in the warm room, Pierre forgot
al save satisfying his craving hunger
But when this was partially appeased
ne reverted to the good news his COM
Oanion had promised him.
The other night began Maxim, ''I
a very brilliant meeting, which
had assembled for the discussion of
The talk was vague and
1t annoyed me. What did
-hese beautifully dressed women and
these well-fed men know of actual
want? I was spurred on to talk and
told of some of the things I have act
1ally seen among the men of the school
Of medicine. You, Dagerol, were my
.lli eff SllLiant a,r.s..l $500: !