Year: 1863

Yes, Monsieur; we two and mammt
The old man smiled.


Monsieur said he, lis rather a grar


title to me, poor old man, asking Il
charity of all / meet. Could you civ
me a triae p


I'VE cannot give you money, MOI


sieur,' replied Georgette, who, as the e


der claimed to be spokesman.


Mamma is a sick nurse, and was ser


for last night by a sick lady with wbor


she is to stay long time yet, and sh


has all the money with her; but W


might give you something else


She looked at him rather anxiousIy a
she made this proposal, as if afraid o


having hurt his feelings.


Thank you thank you'll my dea
child many times. If you could Civ,
me morsel of food would be greatly
obliged to you, for l am very hungry


Il would ask you to lean on my arm
to go into the house, as grandpa used to-,
said little Elise timidly, but l am afraid
of your big dog. Won't he bite


He /? No, indeed. He is as gentle
as lamb, replied the old man. See
he understands already that you are
showing me a great kindness, and he is
trying his best to thank you in bis own
way


And sure enough, the enormous crea-
ture was licking the hands and feet of
Georgette, and then came and laid his
head caressingly on the arm OF little
Elise.


Leading the venerable stranger into
the house, the children seated him in the
great arm chair, which they said had
belonged to their grandfather.


And, indeed said Elise, L think you
seem very much like him, for be used to
put his arm around me and stroke my
hair just as you are doing.


well, then,' said the old gentleman
with smile, Just imagine am he: that


Only l can't help being afraid of that
big dog p said Elise timidly, as if she
feared the master might feel hurt.


But the animal appeared to under
stand her fears, and fawned upon her so
gently that in few moments they were
The best friends in the world.


will you be kind enough TO drink
his, sir? said Georgette, coming to-
wards him with a glass of the sour wine
used by the poorer people of the country
instead of tea and coffee.


And here, if you please, sir said
Elise, who at her sisters approach, had
larted off, and now came back with
little plate in her hand, here are some
little cheese cakes that Madame's house.
keeper sent US, and mamma left them for
our breakfast this morning. Here is a
ripe pear to it is my own so that | can
give it to you, that is all we have except
some dry bread in the cupboard, and that
S very dry. wish we had more cheese
,akes for you /; | am sorry we ate some
If them last night but they were fresh
md nice


But, my darling, if you give me the
,heese cakes and the pear, what are you
yoing to do for your own breakfasts p
,sked the stranger.


oh, we can eat the Bread said Elise
yaily. Mamma says that hunger sauce
makes everything taste good and we
ire young and strong.


Eating the offered food to crafty his
title entertainers, who seemed hurt by
lis refusal, he entered into conversation
With them, and learned that their mother.
Madame Chopin, was widow, and had |
or the last five years been obliged to
truggle hard to support herself and her
wo children; the dog, too, became quite
acquainted it h his new
riends, and after an hour more spent in
pleasant chat, the old man rose to 60.
The children accompanied him for part
# the way, and then returned to make
heir breakfast of the dry bread, shut up
he house and 90 to school.


Weeks passed. The children had |
old their mother of the good old beggar,
md often talked of him, and watched for
be visits he had promised to make |
hem; but to their disappointment he
anne no more.


But suddenly the whole neighborhood |
vas thrown into a state Of excitement
" the report that Mr.. Germont, the rich
purchaser of the chateau, was coming to
AXE possession of il; and now that all
epairs and improvements were finished,
vas going to give grand entertainment
y way of introducing himself and being
Introduced to the neighbors. Far and
ear, nothing else was talked of. Mr.. Ger