Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-28

Its prOfitS,
That small book Of arabesques embroid-
cry was the beginning of the great Flam-
marion book trade. And the ugly lady
for whom mamma had unknowingly en-
hroldered came down instantly with $40
cash, stood by the family, and-years
later-fed Camille F'lammarion through
the siege when he remained attached to
the balloon and carrier pigeon mail
For 1t was thus Camille now rose with
a rush. The doctor who had got his
mother into the hospital urged him to
try the baccalaureate examination the
Young genius would earn bigger money
IN the liberal employment 1t would lead
to. SO, quitting the hateful workshop.
Camille Flammaron in twelve months
was bachelor at sixteen and had pro-
duced book in the bargain.
Ernest. from selling papers had learned
the cheap literature business of thu Rue
de Crossant. Berthe had seen the Ell
brodery book put ON the market and
drawn half its profits. So, when Camille
had been refused by the publishers. the
young folks actually found a printer TO
give them half credit cut THE Infinitely
Little from $50 pages down to 90, and
put in on the neWsstands.
Camille Flammarion's first book Tho
Infinitely Litt!e"-now quite rare you
may imaeine-soId like bread" helped
the family. and permitted the good doctor
to find him the job of student-calculator
al the Paris observatory that led to his
life as an astronomer.
The commercial handling of the book
decided Ernest to be book seller.
ON the lawn at Juvisy-to hear these
wealthy old folks now tell the tale TO
their children and grandchildren--it
sounds like golden romance all through:
for love mingled with II.
The book of the -Four Courageous
Children tells how Ernest loved and
won his well-to-do employers daughter.
but he certainly was Marpon's partner
from the start. when Berthe and soeur-
cite worked as salesgirl and cashier in
the original small bookstore.
Certainly SOeurette let her heart go to
young fellow clerk, Valiant. today the
strong spirit of Flammarion & Valiant,
booksellers with branch houses In Mar
seile. Lyons, Havre and half the wards
of Paris.
Berthe espoused the painter and col
lector Martin, whose son has now taken
over the great boOkshop of the rue Saint
Honore.
And Camille Flammarion, the most ro-
mantle of them all; the book of gold
and-red-for children-tells how the, Pari-
sian savant who had pushed him, hay-
ing a lovely daughter who sighed for
the young astronomer, joined their hands
on his death bed saying:
. Camille, you have been more backward
to speak of your love than of universal
gravitation; but both are OF the same
law; and IT is not your faults. Take her
and protect her,''
So runs the little book Of red-and-zold.
not to confuse child-readers; but the facts
were more romantic In this. that n va.
the lovely young near-widow, not the
daughter. of the aged savant, who took
the hand OF Camille Flammarion 80
dramatically. And there are those who
say that the astronomer gained In that
moment not only the object Of his silent
love Of years, but feliow-worker whose
enthusiasm for the romance Of astronomy ,
kept his production always In the bril- |
liant limo that made the world hix
readers.
STERILNC3sHEIN !,