The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1900-08-25
THE MOTHER.


Translated from the ''Contes du Lundi," OF
Alphonse Daudet by Katharine Melick.'
That morning / went to Mount Val
erien, to see our friend the painter
Barre, lieutenant OF the militia OF the
Seine. just now the brave soldier
found himself 10 the trenches. No
chance Of movement. He must con-
tent himself with promenading up and
down like shipman OF the watch b.
fore the fort postern. talking Of Paris;
of the war, Of our dear absent ones.
All at once my lieutenant. who. be-
meath bis militia uniform keeps always
the srdor Of the artist apprentices. in
terrupted himself hating abruptly and
clutching my arm.
.Oa. what q perfect Daumier" he
said softly. and the corner OF his little
grey eye lit suddenly. like that OF
hound catching q scent, % he showed
me two venerable proiiles appearing
upou the ridge OF Mount Valerien.
A perfect Daumier IL was. The man
10 long maroon redipgote, with . collar
Of Rreepish velvet that seemed made Of
old forest moss, slender. tiny. red
checked, with low forehead. round eyes
and 4 nose like the bslk Of the snowy
owl. A wrinkled crows face. solemn
and stupid. To complete the setting.
rush basket garlsnded with flowers,
from which stood out the neck OF .
bottle. and under the other arm . can
lister OF preserves, the Indispensable
canister which Psrisians never zee with
out recalling the Eve months blockade.
AZ to the woman, ono saw ct
first only huge riding hood. and an
old shawl which wrapped her tightly
from head to feet. as il the better to
outline her wretchedness; then N oc-
casional glimpse, between the faded
ruches Of the capote, Of the tip Of
sharp nose. and some thin grey locks.
Arrived on the plateau, the man
stopped to take breath md to wipe his
forehead. Yet 1t was not warm up
there in the mists OF the end Of No
vember; but they had come % quickly.
The womsn did not stop. Marching
straight to tho postern, she looked ut
us q minute. hesitsting % il she wished
to speak; but. abashed perhaps BY the
face Of the officer. she turned instead 10
the sentinel, and heard her ask timid-
" to re her son. q soldier Of the six
teenth, the thirtieth Of Paris.
Stop there;" said the guard; Il will
call him"
Overioyed, with q sigh Of relief. she
turned to her husband. and the two
went away to sit down at the edge Of
slope.
They waited there very long. This
Mount Valerien is 30 large. go intricate
in course, and slope. with its bsstions,
barracks, casemstes! Undertake. then.
to search for Q soldier OF the Sixteenth,
in that inextricsble city. suspended
between earth and sky spiral floating
among mists like the isle OF Laputa.
And not this aloEe; for 1t that hour the
fort swsrms viii drummers, trumpet
ere. soldiers running. horses neighing.
Guards are relieved, drill executed.
ratious isssed; . bloody Spy 10 brought
in by the sharp shooters; some peas
ants d Nsnterre come, to complain in
general; courier arrives at . gsllop.
the man terrified. the horse reeking:
ambulance panniers return from the
sdvance posts with the wounded. bal
apced, one on each flank Of the mules.
and groaning softly, like sick lambs;
sailors mount new held piece. to the
a A.. az AID fha sshnauA hall