Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1901-04-05
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HE TWO
FATHERS
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trious woman, who worked late and
early In order to support her child,
little girl between and 3 years old,
pretty as a fairy, full OF fun, affection
ate and coaxing as any happy child
could be.
On the opposite side OF the landing
OF the fifth floor on which Nine. Eth
enne and her daughter Lille lived was
the door OF the apartments inhabited
by two brothers, cabinet makers by
trade and bachelors either by choice
or by chance, no one knew.
One of those days when the intense
heat necessitates the door being left
open in order TO get a current of air.
the prettiness of Lille attracted the
attention Of the two brothers, who
were already past their first youth
and adored children In their quality Of
approaching old bachelorhood. From
that sort of intimacy sprung up be-
tween the widow and her neighbors.
Little reciprocal services passed be-
tween them. They sometimes made a
party OF pleasure on the Sunday. So
well did they get or indeed that one
day the eldest Of the two brothers said
to the other:
THAT child would want a father
badly"
''That is my opinion also"
would you have any objection to
my asking the mother to marry meT
'Why should /? In fact, was think
ing OF doing the same myself. But
since you have spoken first follow the
notion up but on the condition that you
will let me see Lille as often as
like. ! love that child as much as II
she were my own"
"Forsoothl You will live with u.s."
The question agreed upon, the two
brothers, dressed in their best, went
to call on Nine. Etienne, whom, how.
ever, they found confined to bed. The
evening before she had run In order
to take some work Eack to the shop
In time; on returning she had caught
chill, passed a feverish night and
was not able to rise in the morning
She begged her neighbors to go for g
doctor. 1t was no time to speak OF
marriage
Inflammation of the lungs carried
away the poor woman in ten days.
Thanks to the two brothers, she haS
not to 60 to the hospital, and until tn,
last she was able to see her little Lii
lie. whom she earnestly recommended
to them. They swore never to abandon
the child.
The funeral over they took charg
OF the little one, kissing her. The.
said to one another at the same time
''If you wish, we will never get mar
ried now"
They went to live at vincennes q
that Lille might have plenty of goo'
air and take walks in the wood. The
were very proud Of their adopte'
daughter. When people stopped to Loo
at them and asked In q casual wa,
which was her father, they replied
Both Of u.s."
Lille seemed to like one as well a
the other and called them Uncle job
and Uncle James.
When she grew little older they pu
her to school-to young ladies' schoc
be 1t MISUNDERSTANDING her Their
every morning and calling for her 4
the evening. So Lille grew up bt
tween these two affections withou
ever feeling the want of father O
mother.
She cost the brothers a great des
of money, did the little one, but bal
they went no longer to the cafe an
worked a little more than formerl,
These supplementary hours were d.
voted to the pleasure and toilet of mi
demoiselle.
When she was Is years Of age. sh
was the first to suggest that she shout
stay at home for the future. at which
of course. the brothers were enchan
ed. What & charming little hous'
keeper they had then and with whs
joyful tenderness she greeted their r
turn every evening. To say the spoil
ed child never abused their goodne.
would he saying too much. but at lea
she seized every available opportunit
of pleasing them.
Two years passed over so quickly +,
all OF them that on the day the tu
men brought cake and bouquet
celebrate xdllie's birthday Eh9E (e;
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