Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-11-11
LeRuban Rouge
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BY F. II. LANCASTER
Copyright. lOO.. by Daily Story Pub. Co.,

A L0RS QUOI, qu'est-ce qui YOU!
~ vouiez? Victorine had been away
10 school, now she was coming home
Monsieur. her father, had hitched the
tat horse to the high wagon and gone
to the ferry to meet her; madam, hel
mother. had baked the cake; petit soeul
had swept the yard petit frere hat
caught gopher for the gumbo. Alors
and yet one other had done his par
toward the welcoming. Michel, he hat
bought the red ribbon-yards of it-sC
bright, SO rich. so shiney. LIE rubaI
rouge! He spread it upon the bed tina
it might be ever before his eyes while
he dressed-brllliant as badge of cour
age: ''Ders tree yard, vas. She's two
inch wide" Michell's fingers tremblet
as he knotted his tie--blue and greer
with big yellow spots. 81 Jolie, but hC
had foreborne to wear it until she came
home.
So it was with the new straw hat and
the tan shoes-eyen the natty linen suit
and russet leather belt had been saved
against her return. His mother and
sister looked on In admiration as he
stood Tightening his saddle girths A
red handkerchief peeped from one
pocket. white one from another. None
OF them knew what it was that made
his breast pocket bulge so.
"He looks nice" said the mother
softly.
"Yas," replied the oldest sister, 81
get das shirt just stiff enough. La
maitresse d'ecole say one spoonful to
one cup. I write das down. me-" She
spoke with pardonable pride. They
waved their hands to Michell-"Bon
Jour. bon jour" He drew up the relns;
one brand new tan described an arc
over the mares back, he sat erect and
waved his hat-''Bon jour ma mere: bon
Jour, mes soeurs." The little bay sprang 6
at once into the gait at which he always
rode her A steady lope, easy and swift,
up hill and down, over dry roads and
wet. and as she loped her masters heart
loped with her.
Looking after him, such a picture of
eager young manhood he made
madam's heart misgave her II wish
70 know" she said half to herself, 81
wish to know, me eef Victorine is change
moch."
Mi:heifs heart was troubled with nc
miseiving. LIE ruban rouge lay warm
TO II. and glad anticipation thrilled him
through and through. What an after
noon 1T was and how the birds sang in
the bushes-"Torine, 'Torine." He
barred his head to an old charcoal burner,
crime to the roots of his white hair and
through il: he shouted hearty greeting
TO a crowd of young fellows going to a
chopping-their horses trotting four
abreast, the axes across their shoulders
eiittering in the sun; they gave back
the greeting heartily. They were think
Ing of annisett, and dancing, and coffee
a2d girls, he-why what could he thinl,
OF with heart beating inside of him
like that. He heard the creak of his
saddle, the Jingle of the bits and tla
muifled toe. toe of the little mares hoofs
on the road. And ali he heard ran in to
a refrain Of one dear name.
All, there she was on the gallerie-all
Ia white and a rose-a white rose-in
her hair. 'Des diffent," he muttered
she use to like the red rose best" His
hand shook so he could scarce fasten
the little mares bride to the picket. half
way up the walk he raised his hat. but he
strobe up the steps slowly. Madam
arose, Victorine arose. Michel bowed
over madam's hand. 81 hope, me das
sec you well madam" he said courteous
~, though his voice trembled. Yes.
madam was very we'll She thanked
lin. And how was madam, his mother?
Tie thanked her, Madam, his mother
was in good health--ie bon sante. And
at last he might turn to Victorlne, VINO
stood demnrely waiting. The same for
NAL greeting and the state of his sisters
hcalth-Only this time the hand clasn
was a bit tighter. He could not helm
that. II was so good to feel those sun.
plc nlGers within his palm once move
Victorine was very well "And Won "
she asled. dellclously. Madam covered
his stammered reply with shrill order
20 petit frere. Bidding him hurry from
the Kitchen with a chair for Michel.
Porte la cbaise. cher. porte la chaise u
The chair came. They all took seats
Petit frere offered his hand shyly Ia
Michel. VlctorIne spoke kindly:
Francois caught big gopher yes
terGay. Did you know?"
mo; didn't hear bout das," said
Mic"eli. and TO the boy. Where YOU
catch heem?"
Down yondah," replied the lad. pride
Of his catch lost in admiration OF the
yellow spotted tie.
Boo jour. Michel, Comme ca va?"
II was monsieur. He rung the young