Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1904-05-20
A TRUE LOVER.
How Little Francois Discover
ed and Realized His Mission.


we met Francois In Paris one win
ter. when we, my college friend Fan
ny Richards, and I we're studying
painting. We boarded in the Latin
quarter, in a small and very unhappy
private family, whose quarrels were
an open secret all up and down the
staircase Of the apartment house in
which they lived.
Madame had grievance against
monsieur, and monsieur said that It
was all the fault Of madame, and our
reticent New England souls we're
shocked and dlsmayed by their voiu-
bility and frankness
Francois was the son Of the house,
a slender, dark-eyed lad OF ten years,
gentle, Old-fashioned, courteous, a lit
tie link Of love binding together the
dead hearts of his father and mother
They adored him, but his life was
none the easier for that reason.
Sometimes he would take the part
Of one, sometimes the part Of the
other; but more often he would retire
from the war Of words, and sitting in
our armchair, with his chin in his
hand, his eyes staring into the FIRE,
would analyze for us, with a thought
fulness and precision for beyond his
years, the failings and virtues Of his
parents. And he was curlousiy just
and generous to both of them.
It Is needless to say that we took
pains at such times to divert the
conversation into more childlike and
less personal channels. Miss Rich
ards was a charming story teller, and
she usually cut short Francois
mournful remarks with some tale Of
true love and lovers. He was particu-
larly fond Of old myths, and the story
Of Cupid and Psyche, or OF Peres-
phone, would make him forget all his
own troubles.
His manner toward Miss Richards
was very touching. He was her little
guide and shadow through the streets
Of Paris. The latter part Of the win
ter he almost lived in our rooms
when he was not at school, but he
was never in the way.
can see Francois now, slim lit
tie figure, in the belted blouse of the
French schoolbOy, standing silently
at Miss Richards knee, gazing ador.
ingly into her pretty face, while she
and l discussed, in that difficult Eng
llsh language the mysteries Of which
Francois was just beginning to pene
trate, the advisability of another new
gown.
But the winter came to. an end, and
Francois, watching us pack oui
trunks, was a very sad little boy.
The day before our departure, wher
we were exchanging parting gifts, hii
mother gave Miss Richards a pin
cushion, which she had made. think
as an expression of gratitude foi
Miss Richards kindness to the child
Francois picked up the gay, scent
ed thing, and held it against hi
. cheek.
81 wish l were this pincushion," h,
said.
"WhyT laughed Miss Richards.
because then / should go acros
+ the great water and live with you al
/ ways"
! Dear little Francois, how / shall
}. miss your sighed Miss Richards, kiss
:. ing the childs wlstful face.
J. when l am a man / shall MARI
J. you" continued the child, gravely.
I Miss Richards smiled But" Frar
!. COTS" she explained, when you ar
}. a man l shall be an old woman, gra
J and wrinkled."
Laying his hand upon hers, an
, looking solemnly into her eyes, h
;. said:
I "Mademoiselle Richards, when tn
r. presence of another gives such fee
!. ing of peace in the heart as you
T. presence gives to me, age matter
Z nothing"
r For a moment there was silence
J. then l heard Miss Richards say softly
! MY Francois, you who know S
well the meaning Of love must teac
other men its meaning. You must B
a presence of peace in this hous'
4 You must be a peacemaker. Do 20
G. understand? Your place is here"
e. my place is here" he said, though
fully, and then. Il see. Love muI
i not go where there is already peacl
It must stay in the unhappy place
and make them peaceful. From Ir
e. lands Own.