The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-19

From his seventh year EellX Mar
teau had been forced to make his own
living in the streets of Paris. His
stock of merchandise consisted of
matches. shoestrings, daily newspapers,
pencils and a nerve-killing voice. His
education was also forced on him.
When Felix was years old he was
gwen the privilege of accompanying
his mother to the workhouse. She had
been committed for habitual intoxi-
cation The benevolent matron of the
institution took a deep interest in him.
She taught him to read and write and
the elements of arithmetic. He need
ed no more in his business, which pre-
sented few arithmetical problems. The
transactions hardly ever exceeded 80
sous per day, the profits of which would
give him a comfortable lodging. When
business was dull the ragged, bare
footed urchin was compelled to make
his bed of papers under stairways.
When his father and mother were
finally sentenced to long term of i'm
prsonment for robbery, Felix was left
alone in the world. For ten years he
led the same aimless life with little va
ration in his fortune. Then love came
even to this forsaken nomad.
Near the crossing where Felix car
ried on his trade was a large toy store.
1t had a beautiful display window and
the endless variety of playthings al
ways had a magnetic attraction for
him. For hours he would stand and look
through the large plate glass, eagerly
coveting one of the treasures.
One Christmas eve, when he was 16
years old, Felix stood enchanted at
the window, to the neglect of his bust
ness. He seemed to forget all-shoe-
strings, newspapers, pencils and
matches. At last he was awakened
from his dream by the sweet voice of
a very pretty girl who stood in the
doorway.
Don't you get tired looking at those
things?" she asked.
Felix looked confused and STAN
mered: There are so many things
here te-day. mademoiselle."
Which do you like best of all?' she
asked.
Felix made another survey of the
fairy world. Finally his eyes were held
by a fine bagatelle table with sticks
and balls. One of his chums. the au-
tocrat of the newsboys' home. had one
just like it. He looked up into the
girls face and, pointing with his dirty
finger to the toy, simply said: That"
That costs two francs" she said.
Then. seeing the look of despair on the
boys face, she added: wait a min
ute till come back"
Felix had hardly time to reflect on
the strange interview when the girl
returned with package in her hand.
Take this" she said. ut is my
Christmas present to you. Think of me
when you play with it."
Felix could hardly believe his eyes.
His fairy ran back to her counter in
the store without waiting for his
thanks. 1t was an inclement day and
he had not taken in enough to pay
for his lodging. An old gentleman
with large gold spectacles and a be-
nevolent face had witnesses the scene.
He patted Felix on the shoulder.
why don't you open the package?
he asked.
IT have no time now; I must make
few sous first" was the reply.
Here is a five franc piece" said the
old gentleman, now have a jolly
Christmas and play bagtalle.'
Tears rolled down the boys cheeks
as he murmered his thanks to his
benefactor, who disappeared In the
throng of shoppers. Think of me
when you play were the words that
rang in his ears all through IhdC Siot
Gus Christmas. How could ne forset
that celestial beauty, with peerless les
complexion and honest blue eyes? she
was far beyond the ideals of the novels
he had read. He felt that he could ole
for her. - -.
For two years Felix continued his
trade on the crossing. He spent many
a leisure moment at the toyshop VIM
dow, but it was love that attracted
him now, hopeless love for the sweet
faced clerk. All he had learned do9q'
bar WAS that her name was Elise. He
had been employed by her to bring
billets-doux to fine-looking young Of
fcer who lived in a nearby hotel he