Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1914-01-21


of joy come down; then il flashed to
his mind that this dazzling gift had a
price. With whole soul Francois cast
away the brilliant dream and hardly
felt an effort.
Il thank you thousand times, my
seigneur," he answered with decision.
Il cannot 80 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, more gravely than ever.
"Frahcois Beaupre. you own fine
lad, he threw at the dropping peasant.
Il would like 10 have him for mine.
Since / cannot, shall try at least to
be his friend. Monsieur the Marshal.
il must be as you say. But come TO
see me at the chateau soon. | shall
have things to talk over with you"
On morning Francois was busy at
the new garden, digging beds for the
plants which the neighbors had eager
| ly given them, and which. put IA the
ground now, In the autumn, would rise
above them in brightness next spring.
Into this contentment came, gallon.
ing gloriously. hoof beats of a horse.
The busy spade, several sizes too big.
stopped. aud Francois leaned his chin
on the handle, the boy out of drawing
for the tool. The general stopped.
which was a heavenly surprise TO
Francois each tins that It happened.
Good morning, marshal. VIII you
ask your mother II may speak to
herr"
Mother. mother, the seigneur wish.
es yon Francois whispered piercing
! ly, but Claire was already on the little
/ front walk by the new garden.
| In moment she stood at the gate
in her fresh calico dress, with white
tlchu over her head. and the big man
/ lowered and growled sentences friend
lily. Then the general trotted with
| iingling stirrup down the village street
and Claire stood with eyes following
for a moment.
What did the seiguear say. my
! mother?" Francois demanded. did
he say ! might come to the chateau
tomorrow? May II Am | TO know
what the general said. my mother?"
After his father came home to din
ner he knew He was TO so each
,,.rr,tt,., e. 4Ec ,bot-o,, "a l., -
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 table
and corner in the library and words
20 copy which thrilled his soul.
Often the general talked to him.
Eth bien. there. the marshall" would
come laundering from the great table
across he room; and the scribe would
drop bis pen and scuttle over the dim
wide place.
Yes. Monsieur the Se'gneur. ! am
here"
Listen then, my soldier am un-
certain II this that have writer II
Importance. It IS interesting to u-
because Gaspard GoursSud was there.
yet do NOT wish TO ram Gaspard
| Gourgaud down n readers throat"
Francois sQuatted on STOOL exactly
in front OF the general, vita his knees
together and his elbows on them. his
chin in the hollow OF his hands. His
! eyes were glued on the &c nerars face.
In deep voice the general read. Il
was an account OF that vorld-tragedy.
the retreat from Nose First came
la 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