Western Kansas world., 1913-10-11
Dining the severe

seven children. During the severe
winter of 1895 Jean was unable to find
work and stole loaf of bread to keep
the family from starving. For this
act he was sentenced for five years of
hard labor in the galfeys. Having
ytried to escape, fourteen more years
were added TO his term of imprison-
ment. After he was freed he was
hopeless. friendless, embittered man
hating every body. This meeting with
the Bishop, described in our Fifth
Reader, awakens hope and new aspi-
rations in Jean Vatican.
Some years ago there was bishop
in France who was such good man
that he became known as "Monselg-
neur Bienvenu" which means "Sir
Welcome" One night he was read
ing late as usual and suddenly remem-
bering that his sister would be wait
ing supper for him. he hastily laid
his book aside and hurried downstairs.
AS he entered the dining room, he
heard Madame Magloire, their only
servant, talking to his sister about
putting lock on the front door. She
said she had heard people talk about
certain dangerous vagabond who
had of late came to town. The po-
lice force of the city was so badly or
ganized that each one had to play the
part of police for himself.
AS the bishop was asking for furth-
er information on the subject, a
knock came at the door. ''Come in, :"
said the Bishop. The door opened
and man entered leaving the door
opened behind him as if uncertain of
his welcome.
He wore shirt of coarse linen.
trousers of blue drilling, cravat
twisted into string, an old cap with
leather visor pulled low over his
face, and perfectly new knapsack
over his shoulder.
He advanced three PAGES toward
the Bishop and the two frightened
women and said in rough, hoarse
voice:
MY name is Jean Vatican. am a
convict from the galleys. / am on
my way to Pontarlier. / have my
savings, one hundred nine francs and
fifteen sous. Is this an Inn? viii
you keep me? Here is my passport,
yellow as you see. / can read. Here
is what they have put on the pass
port: "Jean Vatican, convict from
the galleys, he has been there nine
teen years. five years for housebreak-
ing and burglary and fourteen years
for trying to escape at four occasions.
II lie is very dangerous man. There!
viii you keep me2 Have you a
stable?''
All this time the door remained
opened. The Bishop got up and
closed it ''Sit down, Sir, and warm
YOURSELF" he said, and turning to
Madame Magloire, 'sPut white sheets
on the bed in the alcove."
I'VE are going to sup in few
moments and your bed will be pre-
pared while you are waiting he said
turning to the man. When Madame
Magloire returned, the Bishop said
''This lamp gives very bad light
She understood him and got the
silver candle-stick off the mantle.
''You are good'' said the man, ,''you
me sir. Get out of here, you dog
lis what all people say to me / went
to two Inns and they would not take
me because of my yellow passport.
went to dog kennel: the dog bit me
and chased me off as if he were a man
l went to the prison, the jailer would
not admit me. / went into the oper
fields, intending to sleep beneath the
stars. There were no stars. 1t begar
to rain. l came back to the city. A
woman told me to come here.''
After supper the Bishop handed
the man candle and showed him t
his room. Then he went out into the
garden to think and to walk. About
midnight he too retired to his room
and few minutes later all was asleel
about the little house.
Eva Walker, 9th Grade of Wa-Kee
ney Schools, Emily Dite, teacher.
COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL NOTES.