The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1912-02-19
The Little Figure Had Sprung Up, and
Stood, Threatening.

OF Joy come down; then 1t flashed to
his mind that this dazzling gift had a
price. With a whole soul Francois cast
away the brilliant dream and hardly
felt an effort.
Il thank you a thousand times, my
seigneur," he answered with decision.
Il cannot go with you. | must stay
and work for my father and my moth
err"
There was silence for a minute in
the sunshiny garden; the children had
wandered away; the men did not
speak; one heard only the more Lis.
cite whom Francois held, who stamped
her light forefoot and whinnied impa.
tiently. Then the generals grave
voice sounded, g~ravely than ever.
Francois Beaupre, you own a fine
lad" he threw at the dropping peasant.
Il would like to have him for mine.
Since cannot, | shall try at least to
be his friend. Monsieur the Marshal,
1t must be as you say. But come to
see me at the chateau soon. / shall
have things to talk over with you"
On a morning Francois was busy at
the new garden, digging beds for the
plants which the neighbors had eager
ly given them, and which, put in the
ground now, In the autumn, would rise
above them In brightness next spring.
Into this %contentment came, gallop-
ing %gloriously, hoof beats OF a horse.
The busy spade, several sizes too big.
stopped, and Francois leaned his chin
on the handle, the boy out OF drawing
for the tool. The general stopped,
which was n heavenly surprise to
Francois each time that 1t happened.
Good morning, marshal. VIII you
ask your mother II | may speak to
herr"
Mother, mother, the s~eigneur wish.
es you," Francois whispered piercing
ly, but Claire was already on the little
front walk by the new garden.
In a moment she stood ut the gate
in her fresh calico dress, with a white
fichu over her head, and the big man
lowered and growled sentences friend.
lily. Then the general trotted with
juggling stirrup down the village street
and Claire stood with eyes following
for n moment.
What did the selgneur say, my
mother?" Francois demanded. did
he say | might come to the chateau
tomorrow? May |? Am | to know
what the general said, my mother?"
After his father came home to din
ner he knew. He was to 70 each
morning to the chateau and do work in
copying for the general. The general
was writing a book, nothing less than
a history Of Napoleon himself. The
boys great dreamy eyes glowed.
So the little lad, in his clean,
patched, peasant clothes, went up TO
the chateau the next morning serious
and important, and was given q table
and a corner in the library and words
to copy which thrilled his soul.
Often the general talked to him.
"Eh bien, there, the marshall" would
come laundering from the great table
across the room; and the scribe would
drop his pen and scuttle over the dim
wide place.
Yes, Monsieur the Seigneur. / am
here"
Listen then, my soldier. | am un.
certain If this that | have written is OF
importance. 1t is interesting to me,
because Gaspard Gourgaud was there,
yet / do not wish to ran Gaspard
Gourgaud down a readers throat"
Francois squatted on a stool exactly
in front of the general. with his knees
together and his elbows on them, his
chin in the hollow Of his hands. His
eyes we're glued on the generals face.
In q deep voice the general read. 1t
was an account Of that world-tragedy
the retreat from Moscow. First came
a list of regiments and OF officers, with
detailed accounts OF early service in
both; It was exact, accurate. For FIVE
minutes the general read this; then
his black eyebrows lifted and he
glared over the paper.