The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-21
<<V VICTOR" was his name. he said.
 A/ But when they asked him
 victor what?" he could

smear his tears over his thin little cheeks. His parents had been dn the house only a month and had been toe busy drinking and fighting to cultivate the higher arts of society. This morning they had departed with all their posses sions, leaving the little fellow on the street
 He was nearly dying with fear. He was afraid of the dogs proving around, the noisy street, the strangers who stared al him and asked him questions. His little heart was beating violently in his bosom like that of expiring bird.
 The polce arrived and wrote things in book Then they took the child by the hand to take it away.
 "stop a minutei" said a loud impor- tant voice. Every one turned around and saw great, ruddy, good-natured face wearing a smile that extended from one copper-ringed ear to the other
 stop a minute! said the face. If mo- body wants him I will take him myself "Good for youl Good for youi' cried the crowd and the man smiled more proudly than before while everybody hurried him to the magistrates that his enthusiasm should not cool.
 "I am Francis Louveau, your honor" said he to the magistrate, his tongue loos- ened by the admiration of everybody, not to mention the elevating effects of bottle of white wine that he had taken to him. self before he chanced on the child. ..Bargeman, your honor, master of La Belle Nivernaise, rather a rough boat, but manned by a smartish crew. l am mar ried and If I say so, your honor well married to a wife with headpiece And that is lucky for me, for, you see, l am mot SD very clever myself. Hal Hal .Francis is mot an eagle my wife says.
 There were enough people to vouch for the man who was not an eagle, and before he quite knew 1t, the boy was turned over to him with all the solemnity of law.
 When the bargeman emerged into the street and was deserted by the enthusi- astic friends and strangers, he began to feel uncomfortable. All his pride in his own judgment faded. He lost even his elate joy over the bargain that he had made when he sold his cargo of lum- Der that morning without the help of his wife.
 That unlucky cargol If the bargain had not been so good, he would not lucky white wine. And if that up- luckv white wine. Ond if that un- lucky white wine had not been so good he would not be taking strange boy home to add to the family that was so large already for the income that the old. decrepit barge could earn.
 The boys feet dragged. The barge man wrapped his coat around him and lifted him on his arm. The twining of the little arms around his neck made him feel better.
 still. his legs trembled bit when he reached the Seine and stepped timfdly aboard his barge. With the supplicat- ing eyes of big dog, he faltered forth his story. A storm burst on him. You are mad! Or drunk Have we too much to eat? Have we too much money?"
 The man who was not an eagle con +emnlated his shoes and did not an swer with a word.
 Your boat is full of holes and will soon fall apart. Then we shall starvel And you must amuse yourself with picking up other peoples children"
 ..I have made a mistake" said he at last q will take him back. Must take him back at once?"
 Mother Louveau looked at her baby on the bed and at her little Clara, just victor's age, 1t seemed. She thought of them lost at night, holding out their hands to passers-by.
 Not tonight" she snapped. "But to- morrow-I VOW tomorrow you shall rid me of him"
 She set the food on the table witt furious motions. Furiously she helped the stranger child to 1t. With equa fury she bathed him and bundled hin into bed. The outcast felt a new ant strange sensation just as sleep came It was as if hard but gentle hand hat laid caressing touch on him.
 Next morning Louveau had grea Inspiration. He reused out the wood enlegged Grew and they began to un load the lumber with immense haste Francis picked up rafters as long a masts and thick as walls and tugge' at them With VIII, ne'er ceasihs ID even an instant's breath. lest Madam I,ouveau should cry, Come. now. a you have nothing to do, take the littl boy back"
 He would not stop even for a glas of wine, though the lumber buyer pro posed it urgently more than once. No stop for glass of wine! Madame Lou veau could not credit her ears. It wa out of the question to disturb sue heroism of labor with any scolding about that poor child.
 At last the. lumber was off. Madam Louveau disappeared into the cabir sNow for it!" gasped poor Louveau t himself, wishing that he dared to ru away.
 "Just como here ana lookl It is .