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| author | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-06-22 11:47:14 -0700 |
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| committer | www-data <www-data@mail.pglaf.org> | 2026-06-22 11:47:14 -0700 |
| commit | fcb9d8698ce3cd4736b58035c766d96adc5a2d4a (patch) | |
| tree | e8db6e1e652a72630377dcf90d328efd8b9fbb99 /78917-h | |
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diff --git a/78917-h/78917-h.htm b/78917-h/78917-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..13cf2ac --- /dev/null +++ b/78917-h/78917-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9832 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html> +<html lang="en"> +<head> + <meta charset="UTF-8"> + <title> + Adventures of a Donkey | Project Gutenberg + </title> + <link rel="icon" href="images/cover.jpg" type="image/x-cover"> + <style> + +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + +p { + margin-top: .51em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .49em; + text-indent: 1em; +} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: 33.5%; + margin-right: 33.5%; + clear: both; +} + +hr.chap {width: 65%; margin-left: 17.5%; margin-right: 17.5%;} + +hr.r25 {width: 25%; margin-top: 0em; margin-bottom: 0em; margin-left: 37.5%; margin-right: 37.5%;} +hr.r50 {width: 50%; margin-top: 3em; margin-bottom: 3em; margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25%;} + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always;} +h2.nobreak {page-break-before: avoid;} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; +} +table.autotable { border-collapse: collapse; } + +.tdl {text-align: left;} +.tdlx {text-align: left; padding-left: .5em;} +.tdr {text-align: right;} +.tdrx {text-align: right; padding-left: 2em;} + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: small; + text-align: right; + font-style: normal; + font-weight: normal; + font-variant: normal; + text-indent: 0; + color: #A9A9A9; +} /* page numbers */ + +blockquote { + margin-left: 5%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.right {text-align: right;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +/* Images */ + +img { + max-width: 100%; + height: auto; +} +img.w100 {width: 100%;} + + +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} + +.figright { + float: right; + clear: right; + margin-left: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 0; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; + page-break-inside: avoid; + max-width: 100%; +} +/* comment out next line and uncomment the following one for floating figright on ebookmaker output */ +/*.x-ebookmaker .figright {float: none; text-align: center; margin-left: 0;} */ + .x-ebookmaker .figright {float: right;} + +/* Poetry */ +/* uncomment the next line for centered poetry */ +.poetry-container {display: flex; justify-content: center;} +.poetry-container {text-align: center;} +.poetry {text-align: left; margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%;} +.poetry .stanza {margin: 1em auto;} +.poetry .verse {text-indent: -3em; padding-left: 3em;} + +/* Transcriber's notes */ +.transnote {background-color: #E6E6FA; + color: black; + font-size:small; + padding:0.5em; + margin-bottom:5em; + font-family:sans-serif, serif; +} + +.fs80 {font-size: 80%} +.fs90 {font-size: 90%} +.fs120 {font-size: 120%} +.fs150 {font-size: 150%} +.fs200 {font-size: 200%} + +.no-indent {text-indent: 0em;} +.bold {font-weight: bold;} +.wsp {word-spacing: 0.3em;} +.lh {line-height: 1.5em;} + +h2 {font-size: 130%; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.6em; word-spacing: .3em;} + +/* Poetry indents */ +.poetry .indent0 {text-indent: -3.0em;} +.poetry .indent1 {text-indent: -2.5em;} + + +/* Illustration classes */ +.illowp85 {width: 85%;} +.illowp35 {width: 35%;} +.illowp65 {width: 65%;} + </style> +</head> + +<body> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78917 ***</div> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 85%"> +<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<hr class="r50"> +<h1><span class="smcap">Adventures of a Donkey</span></h1> +<hr class="r50"> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 85%"> +<img src="images/frontis.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</div> + +<p class="center no-indent"> + CADICHON,<br> + THE DONKEY,<br> + SPEAKS!! +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center no-indent wsp"> + THE<br> + <br> + <span class="smcap fs200">Adventures of a Donkey</span><br> + <br><br> + <span class="fs80">FROM THE FRENCH OF</span><br> + <br><br> + <em>Mme. LA COMTESSE DE SÉGUR</em>.<br> + <br><br> + <span class="fs80">BY P. S., A GRADUATE OF ST. JOSEPH’S, EMMITTSBURG, MD.</span></p> + <br> +<hr class="r50"> +<p class="center no-indent wsp"> + <span class="fs150">ILLUSTRATED.</span></p> +<hr class="r50"> + <br> +<p class="center no-indent wsp"> + BALTIMORE:<br> + <span class="bold fs120">PUBLISHED BY JOHN B. PIET,</span><br> + <span class="smcap fs80">No. 174 West Baltimore Street</span>,<br> + <span class="fs80">1881.</span> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> + +<div class="chapter"> +<hr class="r25"> +<p class="center no-indent fs80"> + <span class="smcap">Copyright, John B. Piet, 1880.</span></p> +<hr class="r25"> + <br><br> + +<p class="no-indent fs80 wsp"> + <em>Press of John B. Piet, Baltimore.</em> +</p> +</div> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <p class="center no-indent wsp"> + <span class="fs80">TO MY LITTLE MASTER,</span> + <br><br> + <span class="smcap fs150">M. Henri de Ségur</span>. + <br> + </p> +</div> +<br> +<hr class="r25"> +<br> +<p class="fs90">My little master, you have been good to me, but you have +spoken contemptuously of donkeys in general. To make you better +acquainted with them, I write and offer you this story of my adventures, +from which you will learn, my dear little master, how I, a poor +donkey, and my very many donkey friends, have been and are +still unjustly treated by men. You will see that we have much +intelligence and many excellent qualities; you will also see how +wicked I was in my youth, that I was severely punished for it, and +how repentance changed me and restored to me the friendship of my +comrades and masters. In fine, you will perceive on reading this +book, that instead of saying “as stupid as a donkey, as ignorant as a +donkey, as headstrong as a donkey,” one should say, “as intelligent +as a donkey, as learned as a donkey, as docile as a donkey,” and that +you and your kindred might well be proud of these eulogiums.</p> + +<p class="fs90">Hi! han! my good master, I hope no period of your life may +resemble the early years of your faithful servant,</p> + +<p class="right"> + CADICHON, THE LEARNED DONKEY. +</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <p class="center no-indent fs150 wsp"> + <span class="smcap">Adventures of a Donkey.</span> + </p> +</div> + + +<p class="fs90">I do not remember my infancy; I was probably unhappy, like +all infant donkeys, pretty and graceful as we all are. I was certainly +very intelligent, since, even at my present time of life, being now +somewhat advanced in years, my mental endowments are far superior +to those of my comrades. More than once did I outwit my poor +masters, who were but men, and who, consequently, could not be +expected to possess the intelligence of a donkey.</p> + +<p class="fs90">I shall begin these Adventures by relating one of the tricks I +played upon them in my youth.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="TABLE_OF_CONTENTS"> + TABLE OF CONTENTS. + </h2> +</div> + +<hr class="r25"> +<br> + +<table class="autotable lh"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +I. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Market</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_1">1</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +II. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Pursuit</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_8">8</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +III. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The New Masters</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_13">13</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +IV. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Bridge</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_17">17</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +V. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Cemetery</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_24">24</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +VI. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Hiding Place</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_32">32</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +VII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Locket</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_40">40</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +VIII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Fire</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_46">46</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +IX. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Donkey Race</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_53">53</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +X. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">Good Masters</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_66">66</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XI. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">Cadichon Sick</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_75">75</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Robbers</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_78">78</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XIII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Vaults</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_86">86</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XIV. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">Theresa</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_94">94</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XV. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Gunning Party</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_111">111</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XVI. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">Medor</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_122">122</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XVII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The School Children</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_132">132</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XVIII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Baptism</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_138">138</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XIX. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Learned Donkey</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_147">147</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XX. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Frog</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_164">164</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XXI. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Pony</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_168">168</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XXII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Punishment</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_180">180</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XXIII. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Reformation</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_194">194</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XXIV. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Robbers</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_218">218</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XXV. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Reparation</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_239">239</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +XXVI. +</td> +<td class="tdl"> +—<span class="smcap">The Boat</span>, +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_254">254</a> +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl" colspan="2"> +Conclusion +</td> +<td class="tdrx"> +<a href="#Page_272">272</a> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</span></p> + + + <p class="center no-indent fs200 wsp"> + <span class="smcap">The Adventures of a Donkey</span>. + </p> +</div> + +<hr class="r50"> + +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="I"> + I. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE MARKET.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Men</span> not being supposed to be aware of all that donkeys +know, you, who read this book, are doubtless ignorant +of what is well known to all my donkey friends, +namely: that every Tuesday in the town of Laigle there +is held a market, where vegetables, butter, eggs, cheese +and other excellent things are sold. This Tuesday is a +day of torture for my poor comrades; it was so for me +before I was bought by my present good old mistress, your +grandmother. I belonged to a farmer’s wife, exacting +and cruel. Just imagine, my dear little master, that she +carried her malice so far as to collect all the eggs her +hens laid, all the butter and cheese from her cows’ milk, +all the vegetables and fruits that ripened during the week, +to fill baskets which she placed upon my back.</p> + +<p>And when I was so heavily laden that I could +scarcely move, this wicked woman seated herself upon +the baskets and obliged me to trot thus burdened, overwhelmed, +indeed, to the market of Laigle, a league from +the farm. I was all this time in a rage I dared not show, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</span>for fear of the stick my mistress carried, a very big one +full of knots, that hurt sorely when she beat me. Whenever +I saw or heard these preparations for market, I +sighed, I groaned, I ever brayed, in hopes of softening +the hearts of my owners.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="frontis" style="max-width: 40.625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image002.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“Shut your mouth, great idle thing,” said they, coming +to get me, “shut your mouth, and do not deafen us with +your coarse, horrid voice. Hi! han! hi! han! that is +beautiful music you are giving us! Edward, my boy, bring +this lazy beast up to the door whilst your mother puts +the load on his back. Here is a basket of eggs—one +more! The cheese—the butter!—now the vegetables. +That’s right! Here is a fine load, that is going to +bring us several five franc pieces. Mary, my daughter, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</span>bring a chair for your mother to mount the donkey. +Good-bye, a pleasant trip, wife, and make this lazy beast +move. Hold on, here is your stick, hit him with it.”</p> + +<p>Pan! Pan!</p> + +<p>“That’s right, a few more caresses of that kind and +he’ll go.”</p> + +<p>Vlan! Vlan! The stick never ceased to belabor my +sides, my legs, my neck; I trotted, I almost galloped, yet +the woman still beat me. I was indignant at so much +injustice and cruelty; I tried to kick and throw her off, +but I was too heavily burdened; I could only start and +sway from side to side, thus affording myself the satisfaction +of feeling her slipping down. “Wicked donkey! +stupid animal! headstrong creature!” said she, “I am +going to teach you better, I’ll let you feel the weight of +my stick.”</p> + +<p>And indeed, she beat me so I could scarcely reach the +town. We arrived at last. All the baskets were lifted +off my poor skinned back and placed on the ground. +My mistress having tied me to a post, went to breakfast, +whilst I, who was dying of hunger and thirst, got +not a sprig of grass, or a drop of water. I found means +of getting close to the vegetables during her absence and +refreshed myself by filling my stomach with a basket of +salad and cabbage. I had never eaten anything so good +in my life, but just as I was finishing the last cabbage and +the last salad, my mistress returned. She uttered a +scream on seeing her basket empty; I regarded her with +such a satisfied insolent air, that she immediately recognized +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</span>me as the author of her loss. I shall not repeat +to you the names she called me. She was very high-tempered, +and when in a rage, she swore and said things +that made me blush, donkey as I am. Having loaded +me with the most humiliating reproaches, to which I made +no reply, except by licking my lips and turning my back +upon her, she took her stick and began to beat me so +cruelly, that I, at last, lost all patience, and launched at +her three kicks, the first of which broke her nose and +two teeth; the second, her wrist, and the third, striking +her in the stomach, knocked her over. Twenty persons +rushed upon me, overwhelming me with blows and vile +words. They carried my mistress off, I know not where, +and left me attached to the post, near which the marketing +I had brought was displayed. Here I remained +a long time; seeing that no one thought of me, I ate a +second basket of excellent vegetables, and cutting with +my teeth the cord that held me, I quietly took the road +home.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image004" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image004.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Every one I passed on the way seemed astonished at +seeing me alone.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</span></p> + +<p>“Look, there is a donkey with a broken strap! He +has escaped,” said one.</p> + +<p>“It must be a fugitive from the galleys,” said another. +And they all began to laugh.</p> + +<p>“He doesn’t carry a heavy load on his back,” remarked +a third.</p> + +<p>“Very true,” exclaimed a youth, “he has been at some +mischief.”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image005" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image005.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“Catch him, husband,” said a woman, “let us put the +little one in the saddle.”</p> + +<p>“He will carry you as well as the little boy,” replied +the husband.</p> + +<p>Wishing to give them a good opinion of my gentleness +and condescension, I very quietly approached the woman +and stopped to let her mount.</p> + +<p>“He doesn’t seem at all vicious,” said the man, helping +his wife into the saddle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</span></p> + +<p>I smiled with pity at hearing this. Vicious! as if a +donkey kindly treated was ever vicious! We become +ill-tempered, disobedient, headstrong, only in retaliation +for the blows and foul names heaped upon us. When +properly treated, we are good-natured—much better in +this respect than other animals.</p> + +<p>I carried the wife and child home. The latter was a +pretty little boy about two years old, who caressed me +fondly, thought me charming, and wanted to keep me +altogether. But I reflected that this would not be honest; +my masters had bought me, I belonged to them. I +had already revenged myself upon my mistress by breaking +her nose, teeth, and wrist, and giving her a good kick +in the stomach. Seeing, then, that the mother would +yield to the little boy, whom she spoiled (I soon perceived +this whilst they were on my back), I jumped to one side, +and before the mother could seize my bridle, was off in a +gallop towards home.</p> + +<p>Mary, my master’s daughter, saw me first.</p> + +<p>“Oh! there is Cadichon. How early he has returned. +Here, Edward, come take off his saddle.”</p> + +<p>“Wicked creature,” said Edward, in an angry tone, +“one has always to be bothered with you. But why has he +returned alone? I’ll bet he has run away. Vile beast!” +he added, kicking me on the leg, “if I knew you had +escaped, I would give you a hundred licks of the stick!”</p> + +<p>Once rid of my saddle and bridle, I went off galloping. +Scarcely had I entered the pasture when I heard loud +cries proceeding from the house. Approaching the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</span>hedge, I saw that the farmer’s wife had been brought +home, and I recognized the screams as those of the children. +I listened most intently, and heard Edward say to +his father:</p> + +<p>“Father, I am going to tie him to a tree, and take the +big wagon, whip and beat him till he falls to the ground!”</p> + +<p>“Very well, my son, go, but do not kill him, for we +would lose what he cost us. I shall sell him at the next +fair.”</p> + +<p>I trembled with fright on hearing these words, and on +seeing Edward run to the stable for the whip. There was +no time for hesitation, and without any scruple now as +to defrauding my owner of what he had paid for me, I +ran towards the hedge separating me from the fields, and +dashed against it with such force, that I broke the +branches and made my way through. I ran at full speed +through the field, and I continued to gallop a very long +time, believing myself pursued. At last, unable to go +farther, I stopped; I listened, but heard nothing. I +mounted a slight eminence, I saw no one. Then I began +to breathe freely, and rejoice at having delivered myself +from these wicked farmers.</p> + +<p>But I now commenced to wonder what would become +of me. If I remained where was, I would be discovered, +recognized and taken back to my master’s. What should +I do? where should I go?</p> + +<p>I looked around, and finding myself solitary and +unhappy, I was about to shed tears over my sad fate, +when I perceived that I was on the edge of a magnificent +woods, it was the forest of St. Evroult.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</span></p> + +<p>“What good luck!” I exclaimed, “In this forest I +shall find tender herbage, water, fresh moss; I shall +remain here a few days, and then go to another forest, +farther, much farther from my master’s farm.”</p> + +<p>I entered the forest; I ate with delight the tender +grass and I drank the water from a beautiful spring. +Towards night, I lay down on the moss at the foot of an +old pine, and there slept peacefully till morning.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="II"> + II. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE PURSUIT.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> next morning after eating and drinking, I thought +over my happiness.</p> + +<p>“Here,” said I, “they can never find me, I am saved. +In two days, however, when I shall have rested from my +fatigue, I will go still farther.”</p> + +<p>Scarcely was this reflection finished, when I heard the +distant barking of a dog, then of another, and in a few +minutes I distinguished the sound of a whole pack of +hounds. Anxious, and even somewhat frightened, I +arose and went towards a little stream that I had noticed +in the morning. Scarcely had I done so, ere I heard +Edward saying to the dogs:</p> + +<p>“Come, come, dogs, seek him well, find me this wicked +donkey, bite him, tear his legs to pieces and bring him to +me, that I may lay my whip on his back.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image009" style="max-width: 43.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image009.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + Towards evening two men entered the meadow.—(Page <a href="#Page_11">11</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_10"></a><a id="Page_11"></a>[Pg 11]</span></p> + +<p>I nearly sank to the ground from fright; but suddenly +remembering that I could throw the dogs off my track +by walking in the water, I ran at once to the stream, +which fortunately was bordered on both sides with very +thick bushes. I walked a very long time without stopping; +the barking of the dogs died away in the distance, +as well as the voice of the wicked Edward.</p> + +<p>Breathless and exhausted I stopped an instant to +drink, and I ate a few leaves from the bushes. My legs +were stiff with cold, but I dared not quit the water, for +fear the dogs might return and get upon my trail. When +somewhat rested I began to run, following the stream +all the while, until I was out of the forest. I then found +myself in a vast meadow, where cows and oxen (over fifty +in number) were pasturing. They took no notice of me, +so I lay down in the sun to rest in a corner of the field.</p> + +<p>Towards evening two men entered the meadow.</p> + +<p>“Brother,” said the tallest of the two, “shall we not +bring up the cattle to-night? they say there are wolves +in the woods.”</p> + +<p>“Wolves! who told you that nonsense?”</p> + +<p>“The Aigle folks. They tell how a donkey from the +hedge farm was carried off and devoured in the forest.”</p> + +<p>“Bah! let it go, the people of that farm are so cruel, +they have beaten their donkey to death.”</p> + +<p>“Why, then, would they say the wolves devoured it?”</p> + +<p>“Because it is not known that they killed it.”</p> + +<p>“Even so, it would be better to bring in the cattle.”</p> + +<p>“Do as you wish, brother, I leave it to you.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</span></p> + +<p>I did not stir in my corner, for fear of being discovered. +The grass was high and concealed me entirely, the cattle +did not pass near me, but were driven towards the gate +and thence to their masters’ farm.</p> + +<p>I had no fear of wolves, for I was the very donkey of +whom the men spoke; and in the forest where I had +passed the night, I had not seen even a wolf’s trail. So +I slept delightfully, and was finishing my breakfast when +the cattle re-entered the field, led by two big dogs.</p> + +<p>Whilst I was quietly looking at them, one of the dogs +perceived me, and barking fiercely, ran at me, followed +by his companion. What would become of me? how +should I escape them? I rushed against the fence enclosing +the meadow; the stream I had followed crossed the +lot, and I was fortunate enough to clear this stream, also +to hear the voice of one of the men I had seen the evening +before, calling back his dogs. I quietly continued my +walk until I had reached another forest, the name of +which I did not know. I must now have been more than +ten leagues from the hedge farm; consequently I was +safe, no one knew me, and I could show myself without +fear of being taken back to my former owners.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="III"> + III. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE NEW MASTERS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p>I <span class="smcap">lived</span> peacefully in this forest one month. Sometimes +I felt a little lonesome, but I preferred solitude to +misery. I was then tolerably happy, when I began to +perceive that the grass was getting scarce and dry, the +leaves falling, the water freezing, the ground growing +damp.</p> + +<p>“Alas! alas!” thought I, “what is to become of me? +If I stay here I shall perish of cold, of hunger and thirst, +but where shall I go? who is there that wants me?”</p> + +<p>By dint of reflection, I devised a means of securing +shelter. Leaving the forest, I went to a little village +near by. There I saw a small, neat looking, isolated +house, and a good woman seated at the door spinning. +I was touched with her sad, gentle appearance; I approached +her and put my head upon her shoulder. Much +startled, the good woman uttered a scream and jumped +up from her chair. I did not stir, but regarded her with +a pitiful, supplicating air.</p> + +<p>“Poor beast!” said she, at length, “you do not look +wicked. If no one owned you, I would be very much +pleased to have you supply the place of my poor old +Grison, who died of old age. I could then continue to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</span>make my living selling my vegetables at the market. +But, no doubt, you have a master,” she added, sighing.</p> + +<p>“To whom are you talking, grandmother?” said a soft +voice from the inside of the house.</p> + +<p>“I am talking to a donkey that has come here and put +his head on my shoulder, and he looks at me so pitifully +that I haven’t the heart to drive him away.”</p> + +<p>“Let me see! let me see!” answered the soft voice. +And immediately there appeared on the threshold a +handsome little boy six or seven years of age, neatly but +poorly clad. He looked at me with a curious, half timid +air.</p> + +<p>“May I pet him, grandmother?” said he.</p> + +<p>“Certainly, my George, but take care that he does +not bite you.”</p> + +<p>The little boy extended his arm, and not being able to +reach me, he advanced a step, then another, and began to +smooth my back.</p> + +<p>I did not stir for fear of frightening him; I only +turned my head towards him, and passed my tongue over +his hand.</p> + +<p>“Grandmother, grandmother, this poor donkey is so +good-natured, he has licked my hand.”</p> + +<p>“It is very strange that he should be alone. Where is +his master? Go, George, to the village inn, where +travelers stop, and make inquiries about him. His master +is probably worried about him.”</p> + +<p>“Shall I take the donkey, grandmother?”</p> + +<p>“He will not follow you; let him go where he wishes.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</span></p> + +<p>George started off in a run; I trotted after him. +When he saw that I followed, he came to me, and petting +me, said: “Say then, my pretty donkey, since you follow +me, you will surely let me ride you.” And he mounted +at once, exclaiming as he did so, “get up!” I went off in +a little gallop, which enchanted him. “Ho! ho!” said +he before the inn, I stopped immediately, and George +dismounted. I remained opposite the door, not stirring +any more than if I had been tied.</p> + +<p>“What is it, my boy?” said the inn-keeper.</p> + +<p>“I came to know, Mr. Duval, if this donkey at the door +belongs to you or any of your customers?”</p> + +<p>Mr. Duval came to the door and regarded me attentively. +“No, my boy,” said he, “it is not mine, nor that +of any one I know. You will have to inquire further.”</p> + +<p>George remounted, and setting off again in a gallop, +we went from house to house, inquiring for my owner. +No one knew me, and we returned to the good grandmother, +who was still sitting in the door spinning.</p> + +<p>“Grandmother, the donkey belongs to no one about +here. What are we to do with him? He keeps close to +me, but he jumps away when anybody else tries to touch +him.”</p> + +<p>“In that case, my George, we must not let him stay +out-doors all night; something might happen to him. +Lead him to our poor Grison’s stable, give him a bundle +of hay and a bucket of water. We can take him to +market to-morrow, and perhaps we may find his master.”</p> + +<p>“And if we do not find him, grandmother?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</span></p> + +<p>“We will keep the donkey till some one claims him. +We could not let the poor beast perish of cold this winter, +or fall into the hands of wicked people who would beat +him, or cause his death from fatigue and hard treatment.”</p> + +<p>After giving me food and water, George caressed me +and went out, saying, as he shut the door:</p> + +<p>“How I hope he has no master, so he may stay with us.”</p> + +<p>Next day, having given me my breakfast, George put +a halter on my neck and led me up to the door; the +grandmother next placed a very light pack-saddle on my +back and seated herself upon it. George then brought +a little basket of vegetables, which she took upon her +knees, and we set out for the market of Mamers. The +good woman sold her vegetables at a fair price, no one +recognized me, and I returned with my new mistress.</p> + +<p>I lived there four years; I was happy, injuring no one +and making myself very useful, for I loved my little +master, who never beat me, never worked me to death and +always fed me well. However, I was no glutton; in +summer, remnants of vegetables and the herbs which +neither the horses nor cows ate; in winter a little hay +and the skins of potatoes, carrots and turnips, satisfied +my wants, as is the case with other donkeys.</p> + +<p>There were some days I did not enjoy, those on which +my mistress hired me to the children in the neighborhood. +Being poor, and not always having enough work +to keep me busy, she was very glad to make a little something +by hiring me to the children of the castle near by.</p> + +<p>They were not always good children.</p> + +<p>Listen to what happened on one of these excursions.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="IV"> + IV. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE BRIDGE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">There</span> were six donkeys drawn up in the yard; I was +one of the handsomest and strongest of the number. +Three little girls brought us oats in a bucket. Whilst +eating I listened to the children’s conversation.</p> + +<p>“Come,” said Charles, “let us choose our donkeys, as for +myself, I take that one,” pointing to me with his finger.</p> + +<p>“You always take the best,” answered the five children +at once, “we must draw lots.”</p> + +<p>“How do you wish us to draw lots, Caroline,” replied +Charles, “do we put the donkeys in a bag and draw them +out as one does balls?”</p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! ah!” said Francis, “what an idiot, with +his donkeys in a bag! As if one could not number them +1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, put the numbers in a bag, and let each +draw his number.”</p> + +<p>“So we can,” cried the five others, “Ernest set down +the numbers, while we write them on the donkey’s backs.”</p> + +<p>These children are dunces, said I to myself. If they +had the sense of a donkey, instead of tiring themselves +writing numbers on our backs, they would simply arrange +us along the wall, the first would be 1, the second, 2, and +so on for the rest.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</span></p> + +<p>Meanwhile, Francis had brought a big piece of coal. +I was the first, so he made an enormous 1 on my back; +whilst he wrote 2 on that of my comrade, I gave myself +a vigorous shake, to convince him that his invention was +not a famous one. Behold, the particles of coal flew off +and the 1 disappeared. “You dunce!” cried he, “I +must commence over.” Whilst he re-wrote his number +1, my comrade that had perceived my doings, and was +also mischievous, shook himself in turn. Behold the 2 +disappear. Francis began to get angry; the others +laughed and mocked him. I made a sign to my comrades +and we let him number us, no one budged. Ernest +returned with the numbers in his handkerchief; each one +drew. Whilst they were looking at what they had drawn +I made another sign to my comrades, and we all shook +ourselves worse than ever. More coal, more numbers, it +must be commenced over, the children were enraged. +Charles was triumphant and giggled; Ernest, Albert, +Caroline, Cecilia and Louisa were indignant at Francis, +who in turn, stamped his foot, my comrades and I began +to bray. The noise attracted the papas and mamas. +The cause was explained to them and one of the papas +suggested the plan of arranging us along the wall. He +made the children draw their numbers.</p> + +<p>“One!” cried Ernest. It was myself.</p> + +<p>“Two!” cried Cecilia. It was one of my friends.</p> + +<p>“Three,” cried Francis, and so on to the last.</p> + +<p>“Let us start now,” said Charles, “I go first.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! I shall soon overtake you,” replied Ernest with +animation.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</span></p> + +<p>“I bet not.”</p> + +<p>“I bet I shall.”</p> + +<p>Charles taps his donkey, which sets off at a gallop. +Before Ernest has time to touch me with a whip, I start +also, and at such a pace that Charles is speedily overtaken. +Ernest is delighted, Charles is furious. He taps +and keeps tapping his donkey. Ernest has no need to +tap me; I run, I fly like the wind. I pass Charles in a +minute, and I hear the others who follow, laughing, and +crying out:</p> + +<p>“Bravo! donkey number 1, bravo! he runs like a +horse.”</p> + +<p>Self love gives me courage; I continue to gallop until +we reach a bridge. I stop suddenly, for I have just perceived +that a large plank in the bridge is rotten; I do +not wish to fall in the water with Ernest, but to return +to the others who are far, far behind us.</p> + +<p>“Ho there! ho there! donkey,” said Ernest to me. +“On the bridge, donkey, on the bridge.”</p> + +<p>I resist, he gives me a touch with the switch.</p> + +<p>I still continue to walk towards the others.</p> + +<p>“Headstrong thing! stupid brute! will you turn and +pass the bridge?”</p> + +<p>I walk on towards my comrades and rejoin them, in +spite of this wicked boy’s cross words and blows.</p> + +<p>“Why do you beat your donkey, Ernest?” cries Caroline, +“he is excellent, he went flying and you overtook +Charles.”</p> + +<p>“I beat him to make him go over the bridge, he is +determined to turn back.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</span></p> + +<p>“Ah! bah! because he was alone; now that we are +all together he will pass the bridge like the rest.”</p> + +<p>“Unfortunate creatures!” think I, “they are all going +to fall into the river. I must try to convince them of +the danger.”</p> + +<p>And I set off in a gallop towards the bridge, to Ernest’s +great satisfaction and amidst cries of joy from the other +children.</p> + +<p>I gallop up to the bridge; reaching it, I stop suddenly +as if afraid, Ernest astonished, urges me on, I recoil with +an air of fright that surprises Ernest still more. Silly +boy! he sees nothing though the rotten board is in full +view. The others rejoin him, and enjoy the spectacle of +his efforts to make me go across and mine not to do so. +At last the whole party dismount from their donkeys, +each one pushing and beating me mercilessly, still I budge +not.</p> + +<p>“Pull him by the tail,” cries Charles, “donkeys are so +headstrong that if you want to make them go one way, +they are sure to go the other.”</p> + +<p>Behold them seize me by the tail. I defend myself +with a kick; they all beat me at once, and yet I will not +move an inch.</p> + +<p>“Wait Ernest,” says Charles, “let me go first and he +will certainly follow.”</p> + +<p>He tries to advance, to prevent him I place myself +crosswise before the bridge, but by dint of blows he +makes me fall back.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image021" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image021.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “A pole! a pole!” he cried.—(Page <a href="#Page_23">23</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“Well,” said I to myself, “I’ll give up, if this bad boy +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_21"></a><a id="Page_22"></a><a id="Page_23"></a>[Pg 23]</span>wants to be drowned, let him be, I have done my best to +save him; since he is so determined, let him taste a +draught.”</p> + +<p>Scarcely had his donkey touched the rotten plank, ere +it gave way, and both rider and animal were thrown into +the water. There was no danger for my comrade, as like +the rest of his race, he knew how to swim, but Charles +struggled and screamed without the power of extricating +himself.</p> + +<p>“A pole! a pole!” he cried.</p> + +<p>The children ran in every direction, at last Caroline +found a long pole, which she hastily held out to him; he +seized it, but his weight was dragging her in, and she +called for help. Ernest, Francis and Albert ran to her. +At length, with a great deal of difficulty, they succeeded +in drawing to land the unhappy Charles, who had drank +more than he relished, and who was wet from head to +foot. When assured of his safety, they all began to laugh +at his piteous plight; Charles got angry, they jumped +upon their donkeys, and with bursts of laughter advised +him to return to the house and change his clothes. Wet +as he was, he mounted his donkey. I laughed in my +sleeve at his ridiculous figure, the current had carried +away his hat and shoes, the water was running off him +to the ground, his dripping hair clung to him, and his +countenance was furious—altogether he was a most ludicrous +picture. The children laughed, my comrades +pranced and ran to express their delight.</p> + +<p>I ought to add that Charles’ donkey was detested by +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</span>the rest of us, because he was quarrelsome, gluttonous +and stupid, qualities very rare among us.</p> + +<p>At length Charles disappeared, and both children and +donkeys became more quiet. Every one caressed me and +admired my spirit, and we all started off again, I at the +head of the band.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="V"> + V. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE CEMETERY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + + +<p><span class="smcap">We</span> went at a brisk pace; and soon approached the +village cemetery, which is about a league from the castle. +“Suppose we turn back and take the forest road,” said +Caroline.</p> + +<p>“Why?” asked Cecilia.</p> + +<p>“Because I do not like cemeteries.”</p> + +<p>“Why do you not like them,” replied Cecilia with an +air of derision. “Are you afraid you will not get away?”</p> + +<p>“No, but I think of the poor people who are buried +there, and it makes me sad.”</p> + +<p>The children ridiculed Caroline and rode directly past +the wall. They were just about to keep on, when Caroline, +who seemed disquieted, stopped her donkey, leaped +off, and ran to the cemetery gate.</p> + +<p>“What are you doing, Caroline, where are you going?” +exclaimed the others.</p> + +<p>Caroline did not answer, but hurriedly pushing open +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</span>the gate, she entered the cemetery, looked all around her, +and ran towards a freshly made grave.</p> + +<p>Ernest, who had anxiously followed, had caught up +with her, at the moment when bending over the grave, +she lifted up a poor little boy, of about three years, +whose moans had attracted her attention.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image025" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image025.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“What is the matter, my poor little one? Why are +you crying?”</p> + +<p>The child could not answer for his sobs.</p> + +<p>“Why are you here alone?” said Caroline again, +noticing the child’s beauty and miserable clothing.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</span></p> + +<p>“They left me here, I am hungry,” he answered sobbing.</p> + +<p>“Who left you here?”</p> + +<p>“The black men, I am hungry,” was the answer +accompanied with another sob.</p> + +<p>“Ernest,” said Caroline, “run, and get our lunch, +quick; we must give this poor little fellow something to +eat; he will tell us afterwards why he weeps, and why +he is here.”</p> + +<p>Ernest ran to get the basket of provisions, whilst Caroline +endeavored to console the child. In a few minutes +Ernest re-appeared, followed by the whole band, whom +curiosity had attracted to the spot. They gave the child +some cold chicken and some bread soaked in wine. As +he ate, his tears ceased to flow, his countenance became +smiling. When he had eaten heartily, Caroline again +asked him why he was lying on this grave.</p> + +<p>“Because they have put grandmother here. I want to +wait till she comes back.”</p> + +<p>“Where is your papa?”</p> + +<p>“I can’t tell, I don’t know him.”</p> + +<p>“And your mama?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know, black men carried her off as they did +grandmother.”</p> + +<p>“But who takes care of you?”</p> + +<p>“No one.”</p> + +<p>“Who feeds you?”</p> + +<p>“Nobody, I suck nurse.”</p> + +<p>“Where is your nurse?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</span></p> + +<p>“Down there at the house.”</p> + +<p>“What does she do?”</p> + +<p>“She walks, and she eats grass.”</p> + +<p>“Grass?”</p> + +<p>Here all the children looked at one another with surprise.</p> + +<p>“Is she silly?” said Cecilia in an undertone.</p> + +<p>“He does not know what he is saying,” replied Francis, +“he is too little.”</p> + +<p>“Why,” continued Caroline, “does not your nurse +take you home?”</p> + +<p>“She can’t, she has no arms.”</p> + +<p>The children’s surprise increased.</p> + +<p>“How then can she carry you?”</p> + +<p>“I get on her back.”</p> + +<p>“Do you sleep with her?”</p> + +<p>“Oh! no, I could not do that,” said the child smiling.</p> + +<p>“Where then does she sleep? Hasn’t she a bed?”</p> + +<p>The child began to laugh as he answered.</p> + +<p>“Oh! no, she sleeps on straw.”</p> + +<p>“What does he mean,” said Ernest, “let us ask him to +take us to the house, we shall see his nurse, and she can +explain matters.”</p> + +<p>“I must confess, it is all a mystery to me,” said +Francis.</p> + +<p>“Will you go back to your home, my little one?” +asked Caroline.</p> + +<p>“Yes, but not all alone; I am afraid of the black men, +grandma’s room was full of them.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</span></p> + +<p>“We will all go with you, you must show us the +way.”</p> + +<p>Caroline remounted her donkey, and took the little +boy upon her lap. He showed us the way, and in five +minutes we all reached the cabin of mother Thibaut, who +died the evening previous and was buried that morning. +The child ran to the house and called out “Nurse! +Nurse!” Immediately a goat bounded out of the open +stable, and darting towards the child, testified its joy at +his return by a thousand gambols and caresses. The +child likewise fondled it, and then said “Suck Nurse.” +The goat immediately lay down on the ground, the little +boy stretched himself near her, and began to suck as if +he had neither eaten nor drunk.</p> + +<p>“There, the nurse is explained,” said Ernest, at last. +“What shall we do with this child?”</p> + +<p>“We have nothing to do with him, except leave him +with his nurse,” said Francis.</p> + +<p>The others cried out with indignation.</p> + +<p>“It would be wrong,” answered Caroline, “to abandon +this poor little one, he might soon die for want of care.”</p> + +<p>“What do you wish to do with him,” said Francis, +“are you going to take him home with you?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly; I shall ask mama to keep him at the house +whilst she makes inquiries as to who he is, and whether +he has any relatives or not.”</p> + +<p>“And our donkey party, are we to give that up and all +return?”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image029" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image029.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + The little boy stretched himself near the goat.—(Page <a href="#Page_28">28</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“No, Ernest will be kind enough to accompany me, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_29"></a><a id="Page_30"></a><a id="Page_31"></a>[Pg 31]</span>and the rest of you can continue your excursion, there +will still be four, so you can well do without Ernest and +me.”</p> + +<p>“She is right,” said Francis, “let us mount and continue +our ride.”</p> + +<p>And they departed, leaving the kind Caroline with +her cousin Ernest.</p> + +<p>“How fortunate it is they tried to tease me by passing +so near the cemetery!” said she, “but for that, I would +not have heard this poor child, and he would have spent +the entire night on the cold, damp ground.”</p> + +<p>It was I whom Ernest mounted. With my usual intelligence, +comprehending that we must reach the castle as +promptly as possible, I set off at a gallop, my comrade +followed, and we were there in half an hour. The family +was startled at our unexpectedly early return. Caroline +recounted her adventure with the child. Her mama +was puzzled as to what arrangements could be made for +him, when the porter’s wife offered to raise him with her +son, who was about the same age. The offer was accepted. +On sending to the village to make inquiries concerning +his name and parentage, Caroline’s mama learned +that his father had been dead a year, his mother six +months; the child had been living with a wicked, miserly +old grandmother, who had just died the day before, that +following the coffin to the cemetery, he had been forgotten +and left there; moreover, that he was not poor, the +grandmother having been in comfortable circumstances. +The porter’s wife raised him well, and he became a fine +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</span>fellow. I know him, his name is John Thibaut, he is +always kind to animals, which proves his good heart, and +he is very fond of me, which proves his sense.</p> + +<p>The good goat was also brought to the porter’s and +found a home there.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="VI"> + VI. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE HIDING PLACE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>I <span class="smcap">have</span> already said that I was happy, but my happiness +was soon to end. George’s father was a soldier +and when he returned to his country, bringing the money +his dying captain had left him, and the cross given him +by his general, he bought a house at Mamers, to which +he removed his old mother and little son, and sold me to +a neighboring farmer. I was very sad at leaving my +good, old mistress and my little master George; both +had been kind to me and I had been faithful to them.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image033" style="max-width: 41.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image033.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + Cadichon’s master says good-by to his friends.—(Page <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>My new owner was not unkind, but he had a foolish +fancy for making everything about him work, and myself +among the number. He used to harness me to a little +cart and make me haul earth, manure, apples, and wood. +I commenced to grow lazy, I did not like to be harnessed, +and market day I especially detested, not that they +loaded me too heavily or beat me, but because I had to +stand without eating from the morning, till three or four +o’clock in the afternoon. When the heat was great, I +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_33"></a><a id="Page_34"></a><a id="Page_35"></a>[Pg 35]</span>nearly died of thirst, waiting till everything was sold, +till my master had received his money and said good day +to his friends, with whom he must also take a glass.</p> + +<p>I was not very good in those days; I wanted fair treatment, +if denied me I sought revenge. Here is one of my +tricks, from which you will perceive not only that donkeys +are not stupid, but also that I had become very bad.</p> + +<p>On market day the family arose earlier than usual—the +vegetables were to be gathered, the butter churned, +the eggs collected. In summer, sleeping out-doors in a +large meadow, I saw and heard these preparations, and +knew that at ten o’clock, they would come to harness +me to the little cart filled with all their marketable +produce. I have already said how tiresome and trying +this market was to me, so having noticed in the +meadow a large ditch filled with briers and brambles, +here I determined if possible, to conceal myself in such +a manner that no one could find me at the moment of +departure. Market day arrived; as soon as I saw the +farm folks beginning to move about, I very gently descended +into the ditch, and there buried myself so completely, +that discovery was almost impossible. I had been +there an hour hid away amongst the briers, when I heard +the boy calling me, running in every direction to find me, +and at last returning to the farm-house. Doubtless he +had apprised the master of my disappearance, for in a +few minutes I heard the farmer’s voice calling his wife +and all the other farm folks to come help find me.</p> + +<p>“He must have got through the hedge,” said one.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</span></p> + +<p>“How could he have got through, there is no break +anywhere,” replied the other.</p> + +<p>“Some one has left the gate open,” said the master. +“Run into the fields boys, he cannot be far; go quick, +and bring him, for time passes, and we shall be too late.”</p> + +<p>Every one started off into the fields or the woods, running +and calling me. I laughed to myself down in the +hole, and took good care not to make my appearance. +After the lapse of an hour, they all returned breathless +and panting, from a fruitless search.</p> + +<p>The master having sworn at me, and said no doubt I +had been taken, put one of his horses to the cart, and +drove off in a very bad humor. When I saw that all +returned to their work, and no one could see me, lifting +up my head very cautiously, I looked around. Finding +myself alone, I suddenly emerged from the ditch, and +running to the other end of the field, to mislead their +suspicions as to where I had been, I began to bray with +all my strength.</p> + +<p>At this noise every one on the farm ran.</p> + +<p>“Here he is come back,” cried the shepherd.</p> + +<p>“Which way did he come?” said the mistress.</p> + +<p>“Which way did he go?” replied the wagoner.</p> + +<p>In my joy at having escaped the market, I ran to +them. They were delighted to see me, caressed me, said +I was a good creature to have escaped from the thieves, +and paid me so many compliments that I was ashamed, +knowing full well how much more deserving I was of the +stick than caresses. They let me graze quietly, and I +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</span>should have passed a charming day, had not my conscience +reproached me for having deceived my poor +master.</p> + +<p>When the farmer came home and learned of my return, +he was well pleased, but very much surprised. +Next day he went all around the meadow, and carefully +repaired even the slightest breach in the hedge.</p> + +<p>“The donkey will be very smart to escape now,” said +he, on finishing. I have stopped even the smallest holes +with stakes and brambles; there is not room enough for +a cat to get through.</p> + +<p>The week passed quietly, my adventure was no longer +thought of. But the next market day I repeated the +wicked trick, and again concealed myself in the ditch, for +so doing saved me so much fatigue and weariness. As before, +they sought me everywhere; their astonishment was +greater than ever, they were now fully convinced that a +skillful thief had carried me off by letting me through +the gate.</p> + +<p>“This time,” said my master sadly, “he is certainly +lost. He will not be able to escape again, and even if he +should, he could not get into the meadow, for I have repaired +the breaches in the hedge too carefully.”</p> + +<p>He went off sighing, and one of the horses again took +my place in the cart. As on the preceding occasion, I +emerged from my hiding place when everybody had got +out of the way, but I was prudent enough not to announce +my appearance with a hi han! as before.</p> + +<p>When they found me quietly eating grass in the field, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</span>and my master learned that I had returned a short time +after his departure, I saw that they had suspected me of +some trick, for no one paid me any compliments, everyone +eyed me with distrust, and I fully perceived that +they watched me more closely than before. I laughed +in my sleeve at them and said to myself:</p> + +<p>“Good friends, you will be very sharp if you discover +the trick I have played on you; I am smarter than you, +and I intend to keep the game up.”</p> + +<p>So I concealed myself a third time, very well pleased +with my cunning. But scarcely was I stowed away in +the ditch, ere I heard the furious barking of the big watch +dog, and the voice of my master, saying:</p> + +<p>“Seize him Caesar, seize him; go down into the ditch, +bite his legs, bring him! bravo my dog! seize him, seize +him!”</p> + +<p>Caesar indeed darted down, he bit my legs, my body, +and he would have devoured me, had I not decided to +leave that ditch. I was about to run towards the hedge, +and try forcing a passage through, when the farmer who +was waiting for me, threw a slip knot over my head and +brought me to a stand. He was armed with a whip and +he made me feel it most sensibly; the dog continued to +bite, the master to beat me, and I repented bitterly of +my idleness. At last the farmer called Caesar off, put +up his whip, exchanged the slip knot around my neck for +a halter, and led me all mortified and beaten unmercifully, +to the little cart which was in readiness for me.</p> + +<p>I learned afterwards that one of the children, who had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</span>been stationed near the gate, to open it if I returned, +had perceived me coming out of the ditch, and had carried +the news to his father. The little traitor!</p> + +<p>For a long time after, until my troubles and sad experience +had taught me better, I wished all manner of evil +to him.</p> + +<p>From that day I was treated more severely. They +wished to keep me shut up, but I found means of opening +all the fastenings with my teeth; if a latch, I lifted +it; if a button, I turned it; if a bolt, I pushed it aside. +I went just where I pleased. The farmer swore, scolded +and beat me; he became harder on me, and I got to be +worse and worse to manage. I felt that I had brought +all this unhappiness on myself. I compared my present +miserable life with that I had formerly led among the +same people; but instead of reforming me, the reflexion +made me only more headstrong and vicious. One day I +went into the kitchen garden and eat all the salad; +another day I knocked down the little boy who had +betrayed me; another time, I drank a tub of cream they +had placed out to be churned. I tramped on their +chickens and young turkeys, I bit their pigs; in fine, I +got so unmanageable that the mistress at last asked her +husband to sell me at the fair at Mamers, which was to +take place in fifteen days. I had become a very thin, +miserable looking object, by reason of blows and poor +nourishment. But now, wishing to put me in a good +condition, (as the farmers say,) that I might sell to advantage, +everyone on the farm was forbidden to maltreat +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</span>me. I was released from work and was well fed. Very +happy indeed was I during those fifteen days. My master, +at the expiration of that time, took me to the fair +and sold me for a hundred francs. I longed to give him +a good bite at parting, but fearing such an act might +make a bad impression on my new owner, I contented +myself with turning my back upon him with a gesture +of contempt.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="VII"> + VII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE LOCKET.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>I <span class="smcap">had</span> been bought by the parents of a delicate little +girl, aged about twelve years, who living in the country +and having no friends of her own age, was greatly in +need of diversion, for the father devoted very little time +to her, and the mother, though fond of her child, was so +jealous, she could not bear to see her attached to anything +but herself, not even animals. The physician having prescribed +recreation of some kind, the mother decided upon +donkey rides. My little mistress was named Pauline; +she was a very kind, gentle, pretty child, of a sad, quiet +disposition. She was often sick, but every day when not +unwell, she went riding, and it was my delight to show +her the prettiest paths and woods I knew. At first, +we were always accompanied by a domestic, but when +everyone saw what good care I took of her, we were +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</span>allowed to go alone. It was she who called me Cadichon, +which name I have ever retained.</p> + +<p>“Go, take a stroll with Cadichon,” the father would +say, “there is no danger with a donkey like that, he has +the intelligence of a man, and he will always bring you +safe home.”</p> + +<p>So we would go out together. When my little mistress +got tired of walking, I used to stand near a slight +elevation, or rather descend into a hollow, that she might +mount the more easily. I would also lead her up to hazel +trees filled with nuts, and stop to let her gather them. +She loved me much, and expressed it by kind attentions +and caresses. When bad weather prevented our promenades, +she would come to the stable, bringing me bread, +fresh grass, salad leaves, carrots; she would stay a long +time, a very long time; and talking to me, though believing +that I did not understand her, she would tell me all +her little troubles, often with tears.</p> + +<p>“Oh! my poor Cadichon,” she would say, “you are +a donkey, and you cannot understand me, yet you are +my only friend, for it is only to you I can say all I think. +Mama loves me, but she is jealous, she wants me to love +nothing but herself. I have no childish friends, and I +am so lonesome.”</p> + +<p>And then she would weep and caress me. I loved her +too, and I pitied the poor little thing. When she was +near me, I was very careful not to move, for fear of +tramping on her.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</span></p> + +<p>One day she came running towards me in the greatest +delight.</p> + +<p>“Cadichon, Cadichon,” she cried, “mama has given +me a locket with her hair; I am going to mix some of +yours with it, for you too are dear to me, and I shall then +have the hair of the two I love best in the world.”</p> + +<p>She cut off a little of my mane and put it in the +locket with her mother’s hair.</p> + +<p>It made me happy to see how much Pauline loved me +and I was proud of having my hair in a locket, but I +must confess the effect was not very pretty; coarse, stiff +and grey as my mane was, it made her mother’s tress look +frightful. Pauline never perceived this, and she was +turning her locket in every direction, and admiring it +extravagantly, when her mother entered.</p> + +<p>“What are you looking at,” said the mother.</p> + +<p>“My locket mama,” answered Pauline concealing it +somewhat.</p> + +<p>“Why did you bring it here?”</p> + +<p>“To show it to Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>“What foolishness! Indeed Pauline, you are losing +your head with Cadichon! as if he could understand +anything about a locket with hair!”</p> + +<p>“I assure you, mama, he understands very well, he +licked my hand when—when—”</p> + +<p>Here Pauline blushed and was silent.</p> + +<p>“Well, why do you not finish? What made Cadichon +lick your hand?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</span></p> + +<p>“Mama, I would rather not tell you, I am afraid you +will scold me,” said Pauline, much embarrassed.</p> + +<p>“What is it, at once?” replied her mother impatiently. +“Speak, what nonsense have you been at now?”</p> + +<p>“It is not nonsense, mama, on the contrary—”</p> + +<p>“Then why are you afraid to tell me? I suppose you +have been giving Cadichon oats to make him sick.”</p> + +<p>“No, I have given him nothing, on the contrary—”</p> + +<p>“On the contrary? You provoke me, Pauline—now +listen to me, I wish to know what you have been doing +here for the last hour nearly.”</p> + +<p>And indeed the arrangement of my hair in the locket +had been rather a long process; it was necessary to take +off the paper back of the locket, remove the glass, insert +the memento of myself, and then put the whole together +again.</p> + +<p>Pauline still hesitated, at last, she said in a very low +tone and with great embarrassment.</p> + +<p>“I cut a little of Cadichon’s mane to—”</p> + +<p>“To what?” said her mother impatiently, “finish now, +you cut it for what?”</p> + +<p>“To put it in the locket,” was the very low answer.</p> + +<p>“In what locket?” said her mother angrily.</p> + +<p>“In the one you gave me.”</p> + +<p>“In that I gave you with my hair!” replied the +mother with increasing anger. “And what have you done +with my hair?”</p> + +<p>“It is still there, see,” said poor Pauline, displaying +the locket.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</span></p> + +<p>“My hair mixed with a donkey’s mane!” exclaimed +the mother in a rage. “Ah! it is too much! You do +not deserve the present I gave you! To class me with a +donkey! To express the same affection for a donkey as +for me!”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image044" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image044.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>And snatching the locket from the hands of the unfortunate, +stupefied Pauline, she dashed it to the ground, +trampled it under foot and broke it into a thousand +pieces. Then without noticing her daughter, she left the +stable, slamming the door violently.</p> + +<p>Pauline surprised and frightened at this outburst of +temper, was motionless an instant, then breaking into +sobs, and throwing herself upon my neck, she exclaimed +passionately:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</span></p> + +<p>“Cadichon, Cadichon, you see how I am treated! +They do not want me to love you, but I will love you in +spite of them, and more than them, because you are good +to me—you never scold me, you never grieve me, and +you always try to amuse me in our promenades. Alas! +Cadichon, how unfortunate that you can neither understand +me nor talk to me. Oh! what I would tell you!”</p> + +<p>Pauline was silent, she throw herself on the ground +and continued to weep gently. I was touched and distressed +at her grief, but I could not console her or even +let her know that I understood her. I felt enraged at +this mother, who through stupid or excessive affection, +could render her child so unhappy. Had it been in my +power, I would have told her of the grief she caused +Pauline, and the injury it did her already delicate health, +but Alas! I could not speak. I could do nothing but +look sadly on at the poor child’s flowing tears.</p> + +<p>Scarcely a quarter of an hour had elapsed since her +mother’s leaving the stable, when a servant opened the +door and called Pauline.</p> + +<p>“Mademoiselle,” said she, “your mama has sent for +you, she does not wish you to stay in the stable with +Cadichon, or even to come here at all.”</p> + +<p>“Cadichon, my poor Cadichon!” exclaimed Pauline, +“they do not wish me to see you any more!”</p> + +<p>“Only when you go out riding, Mademoiselle, your +mama says, the place for you is in the parlor, not in the +stable.”</p> + +<p>Pauline made no answer; she knew her mother exacted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</span>obedience, but embracing me again, and I felt her tears +on my neck as she did so, she left the stable to return no +more.</p> + +<p>From that time Pauline became sadder and more delicate, +she coughed, she grew pale and thin. The bad +weather rendered our promenades shorter and less frequent. +When we did go however, I was brought up to +the castle steps, Pauline mounted without saying one +word to me, or taking any notice of me, but as soon as +we were out of sight, she jumped off, caressed me, and +relieved her heart by recounting her daily troubles and +griefs, though still thinking I could not understand her. +It was thus I learned her mama’s continued displeasure +since that affair of the locket, how Pauline’s life was +sadder and more irksome than ever, and how the malady +from which she suffered was becoming graver every day.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="VIII"> + VIII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE FIRE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Just</span> as I had gone to sleep one evening, I was awakened +by cries of “fire! fire!” Startled and terrified I endeavored +to rid myself of the leather strap that held me fast, +but in vain did I pull at it, and roll on the ground, the +strap would not break. At last the happy idea occurred +to me of cutting it with my teeth, and this I succeeded +in doing after several efforts. My poor stable was lighted +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</span>up with the reflexion of the fire; the cries, the noise +increased; I heard the lamentations of the servants, the +crash of falling walls, the giving way of floors, the roaring +of flames; the smoke had already reached my stable, +and no one thought of me, no one had had charity enough +just to open my door and let me out. The flames +increased in violence, already I began to experience a +feeling of great heat and suffocation.</p> + +<p>“It is all over for me,” said I, “I am condemned to be +burned alive! what a frightful death! Oh! Pauline, my +dear mistress, you have forgotten your poor Cadichon!”</p> + +<p>Scarcely had I, not pronounced, but thought these +words, when my door was opened violently, and I heard +the terrified voice of Pauline calling me. Happy at +being saved, I darted towards her, and we were just on +the threshold, when a frightful crash made us recoil. A +building directly opposite my stable had tumbled down, +and every passage was choked up with the ruins; my +poor mistress must now perish for having attempted to +save me! We were nearly suffocated with the smoke, the +dust of the fallen building, and the heat. Pauline +dropped down beside me. Suddenly, I took a dangerous +resolution, but the only one that could save us. Seizing +my little mistress’s dress in my teeth, she being partly +unconscious from fright, I darted across the burning +beams that strewed the ground. Being fortunate enough +to get through without her clothing taking fire, I now +stopped to see whither I must direct my steps; everything +around us was in flames. Discouraged and almost +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</span>in despair, I was going to lay Pauline, now utterly unconscious, +on the ground, when perceiving an open cave; I +rushed in, (knowing full well that in one of these vaults +under the castle we were in absolute safety,) and I laid +Pauline near a tub of water, so that she could bathe her +forehead and temples on awaking from her swoon. It did +not last very long, and when she awoke to consciousness +and found herself out of danger, she threw herself upon her +knees, and in a touching prayer thanked God for having +so mercifully preserved her. Then, after thanking me +with a tenderness and gratitude quite affecting, she drank +a few mouthfuls of water from the tub and listened. +The fire continued its ravages, everything was burning; +we still heard a few voices, but so indistinctly that we +could not recognize them.</p> + +<p>“Poor mama and papa!” said Pauline, “they think I +have perished in disobeying them, by going to Cadichon’s +rescue. We must now wait till the fire is extinguished. +No doubt, we shall spend the night in the vault. Good +Cadichon!” she added, “I owe my life to you.”</p> + +<p>She said no more, but took her seat on an upturned +chest, and leaning her head upon an empty barrel, was +soon asleep. I felt tired and hungry, so I drank from +the tub, and stretching myself out near the door, I was not +long in following her example.</p> + +<p>I awoke very early. Pauline still slept. I arose softly +and went to the door, which I opened; everything was +burned and the flames extinguished, and I saw that one +could easily pick his way through the ruins to the castle +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</span>yard. I gave a light hi! han! to awaken my mistress, +who opened her eyes, and seeing me near the door, she +ran towards it and gazed around her.</p> + +<p>“All burned up! all gone!” said she sadly, “I shall +never see the castle any more. I shall be dead before it +is rebuilt, I feel it; I am weak and sick, very sick, +although mama says—”</p> + +<p>“Come, my Cadichon,” she continued after remaining +pensive and motionless for a few minutes, “come, let us +go now, I must find mama and papa to console them, +they think me dead.”</p> + +<p>She lightly threaded her way among the fallen stones, +the crumbled walls, the still smoking beams. I followed +her, and we soon reached the lawn, where she got on my +back. Directing my steps towards the village, we lost +no time in finding the house where her parents had taken +refuge. Believing their child lost, they were plunged in +the deepest affliction.</p> + +<p>At sight of her, they uttered an exclamation of joy +and rushed out to clasp her in their arms. She recounted +to them with what intelligence and courage I had saved +her life; but instead of thanking and caressing me, the +mother surveyed me with an air of indifference, and the +father never deigned to look at me at all.</p> + +<p>“He nearly caused your death, my poor child,” said +the mother. “If you had not been so foolish as to think +of opening the stable, and setting him at liberty, your +father and I would not have passed such a night of desolation.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</span></p> + +<p>“But,” said Pauline earnestly, “it is he who—”</p> + +<p>“Hush, hush,” replied the mother interrupting her, +“say no more to me about this animal which I detest, +for he has almost caused your death.”</p> + +<p>Pauline sighed, looked sorrowfully at me and was +silent.</p> + +<p>From that day I never saw her more. The terrible +fright, the fatigue of a night passed out of bed, but especially +the low temperature of the vault, all increased the +disease from which she had suffered a long time. In the +morning she was taken with a fever that never left her. +The chill of the preceding night finished what sadness +and weariness had commenced; her chest already weak, +could not stand the shock, and she died at the end of a +month, neither regretting life nor fearing death. She +often spoke of me and called me in her delirium. No +one thought of me now. I ate what I could find, and I +slept unsheltered in cold and rain. When I saw the +coffin which contained the body of my poor, little mistress +carried out of the house, my grief was so intense +that I left that part of the country, and have never been +there since.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</span></p> +<br> +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image051" style="max-width: 43.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image051.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + She was taken with a fever.—(Page <a href="#Page_50">50</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_52"></a><a id="Page_53"></a>[Pg 53]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="IX"> + IX. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE DONKEY RACE.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>I <span class="smcap">lived</span> miserably on account of the season, for the +home I had selected was in a forest where I could scarcely +find the wherewith to keep me from dying of hunger and +thirst. When the streams were frozen I ate snow, my +only nourishment was got by nibbling thistles, my only +shelter the pines. How often did I not compare my +present sad existence with that I had led at my good +master George’s, and even at the farmer’s to whom he +had sold me, until I gave myself up to idleness, mischief +and revenge. However, there were no means of improving +my miserable condition, for I was determined to +remain free, and master of my actions. Sometimes, by +way of recreation, I went to the outskirts of a village +very near the forest, to find out what was going on in the +world. One day, it was Springtime (and the fine weather +had set in,) I was surprised to notice that something +extraordinary was going on, the village wore a festive +air, people went in throngs, every one arrayed in his or +her holiday garments, and what was still more astonishing, +all the donkeys of a neighboring county were collected +there, curried and rubbed, carrying neither panier +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</span>nor saddle, some even having flowers on their head or +around their neck, and every one accompanied by a +master, leading him by a bridle.</p> + +<p>“This is singular,” thought I, “there is no fair going +on to-day! What can all my comrades be doing here, +curried and decorated? And how fat they are! they +have certainly been well fed this winter!”</p> + +<p>As I mentally ejaculated these words, I looked at +myself; my back, my belly, my crest were thin and rough, +and the hair all over my body standing awry, but I felt +strong and vigorous.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image054" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image054.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“I would rather be homely,” thought I, “but healthy +and active; none of my comrades here, so handsome, +fat and well cared for, could support the fatigues and +privations I have endured all winter.” As I drew near +to ascertain the meaning of this re-union of donkeys, +one of the boys in charge of them, perceiving me, began +to laugh.</p> + +<p>“Come boys, come see the beautiful donkey that has +just arrived! How well curried he is!” cried he.</p> + +<p>“And well fed and cared for,” said another. “Has he +come for the race?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</span></p> + +<p>“If he has, let him run,” cried a third, “there is no +danger of his gaining the prize.”</p> + +<p>A general laugh followed these words. Though displeased +at the boys’ stupid jokes, my vexation was tempered +by the satisfaction of having learned what all the +commotion meant. There was to be a race, but when or +how? Wishing to know more, I continued to listen, +though apparently understanding nothing of what was +said.</p> + +<p>“Are they going to start soon?” inquired one of the +young men.</p> + +<p>“I do not know, they are waiting for the Mayor.”</p> + +<p>“Where is the race course?” said a good woman who +had just arrived.</p> + +<p>“In the big meadow by the mill, mother Tranchet,” +answered John.</p> + +<p>“How many donkeys are there here now?”</p> + +<p>“There are sixteen not counting you, mother Tranchet.” +A burst of laughter followed this jest.</p> + +<p>“Ah! you are a scamp!” said mother Tranchet laughing, +“and what does the winner of the race get?”</p> + +<p>“Honor first, and a silver watch next.”</p> + +<p>“I would be well pleased to be a donkey for the sake +of gaining the watch; I have never had the money to +buy a watch.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if you had brought a donkey you would have +to run—the chance.”</p> + +<p>And all laughed their heartiest.</p> + +<p>“Where do you suppose I would get a donkey? Have +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</span>I ever had the means to buy one, or to feed one after buying +it.”</p> + +<p>This good woman pleased me greatly she had such a +cheerful, lively air; and the idea struck me of trying to +win her the watch. I was accustomed to running, for +every day in the woods I took long runs to warm myself, +and I had formerly enjoyed the reputation of running as +long and as swiftly as a horse.</p> + +<p>“Come,” said I to myself, “let’s try; if I do not win, +I lose nothing; if I do win, I shall gain a watch for +mother Tranchet, who greatly desires it.”</p> + +<p>Starting off at a little trot, I took my place beside the +last mule, and assuming a proud air I began to bray +vigorously.</p> + +<p>“Stop! stop!” exclaimed Andrew, “will you stop that +music? Get away donkey, you are without a master, +you are too badly curried, you can’t run.”</p> + +<p>I held my peace, but did not budge. Some laughed, +some were vexed, and they were beginning to contend +among themselves, when mother Tranchet exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Well, if he has no master, he is going to have a mistress; +I recognize him now. It is Cadichon, poor Miss +Pauline’s donkey; they drove him off when the poor, +little thing was no longer there to protect him, and I +firmly believe he has lived all winter in the woods, for +no one has seen him since. I take him to-day into my +service; he is going to run for me.”</p> + +<p>“It is Cadichon!” cried several in various directions. +“I have heard of this famous Cadichon.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image057" style="max-width: 56.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image057.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “Here is my money.”—(Page <a href="#Page_59">59</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_58"></a><a id="Page_59"></a>[Pg 59]</span></p> + +<p>“But mother Tranchet,” said John, “if he is going to +run for you, you must drop a silver piece of fifty centimes +in the Mayor’s bag, just like everybody else.”</p> + +<p>“That shall not hinder me, my children, here is my +money,” she added, untying a knot in her handkerchief, +“but don’t ask any more, for I haven’t it.”</p> + +<p>“Ah well! if your donkey wins you will not lose anything, +for all the village has contributed to this bag, it +contains more than a hundred francs.”</p> + +<p>I approached mother Tranchet, and I whirled on my +heel, leaped and kicked with such facility, that the boys +began to fear I might win the day.</p> + +<p>“Listen, John,” said Andrew in an undertone, “you +were wrong to let mother Tranchet contribute to the bag. +That gives her a right to let Cadichon run, and he has +such a nimble air, I fear he may win the watch and +money.”</p> + +<p>“Ah bah! how silly you are! Don’t you see there what +a figure this poor Cadichon cuts! He is going to make us +laugh, he’ll not go far indeed.”</p> + +<p>“I can’t say, suppose I coax him off with some oats.”</p> + +<p>“And what of mother Tranchet’s money?”</p> + +<p>“Her donkey gone, the money would be returned to +her.”</p> + +<p>“I agree; Cadichon is no more to her, than to you or +me. Get some oats and try to coax him off without +mother Tranchet’s knowledge.”</p> + +<p>I had heard and understood all; so when Andrew +returned with the oats in his apron, instead of approaching +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</span>him, I drew near mother Tranchet, who was talking with +her friends. Andrew followed; John thinking I had +not seen the oats, took me by the ears and made me +turn my head. Still I would not budge, notwithstanding +my longing to taste such a luxury. Andrew began +to push, John, to pull me, and I to bray in my loudest +voice. Mother Tranchet turned, and seeing the manœuvres +of Andrew and John:</p> + +<p>“Boys,” said she, “you are not doing right there. Since +you made me deposit my silver piece in the bag, you +must not take Cadichon off. It appears to me that you +are afraid of him.”</p> + +<p>“Afraid! afraid of a dirty donkey like that! Oh! no, +we have no fears of him,” said Andrew.</p> + +<p>“Then why would you try to lead him off?”</p> + +<p>“To give him some oats.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! that’s a different thing!” replied mother Tranchet +in a sportive way, “you are very obliging, just pour +the oats on the ground so that he can eat them at his +ease! And to think that I suspected you of giving them +to him from malice! How one can be mistaken.”</p> + +<p>Andrew and John were ashamed and vexed, but they +took good care to conceal it. Their companions laughed +to see them so nicely caught, mother Tranchet clapped +her hands, and as for me, I was delighted, eating my oats +with avidity, and feeling a renewal of strength as I did +so. I was quite pleased with mother Tranchet also. +Having finished eating, I was impatient to start. At +last there was a great tumult, the Mayor had just ordered +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</span>us to be ranged in line. I modestly took the last place. +My appearance alone, without a master, was the signal +for a general inquiry as to who I was, and to whom I +belonged.</p> + +<p>“To no one,” said Andrew.</p> + +<p>“To me,” cried mother Tranchet.</p> + +<p>“It is necessary to contribute to the bag, mother Tranchet,” +said the Mayor.</p> + +<p>“I have done so, Mr. Mayor.”</p> + +<p>“Good; write mother Tranchet’s name,” said the +Mayor.</p> + +<p>“It is already down, sir,” replied the secretary.</p> + +<p>“Very well,” said the Mayor. “Is everything ready? +One, two, three! Start!”</p> + +<p>At this the boys suddenly released the donkeys they +were holding, giving them a smart blow of the whip at +the same time. All started. No one had held me, and +as I honestly awaited my turn all the others had a slight +advantage over me. But we had not gone more than a +hundred steps ere I reached them. Behold me now at +the head of the band, outstripping them, indeed, without +overtaxing myself to do so. The boys halloed and +cracked their whips to urge on their own. I glanced +back occasionally to see their disconcerted visages, to +contemplate my triumph and laugh at their efforts. My +companions, furious at being distanced by me—a poor, +unknown, piteous looking creature—redoubled their +efforts to overtake me, and endeavored to block the road, +one against another. I heard behind me savage cries, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</span>kicks, bites. Twice was I reached, almost passed, by +John’s donkey. Perhaps I ought to have employed the +same means against him that he had used in outstripping +his companions; but I disdained such unworthy +manœuvres. I saw, however, that not to be beaten it +was necessary to do my utmost. With a vigorous bound, +I dashed ahead of my rival, who at the same moment +seized me by the tail. So great was the pain that I +almost dropped down on the spot; but the thought of +victory inspired me with courage to snatch myself away, +leaving a piece of my tail in his mouth. The desire of +vengeance gave me wings. I ran with such speed that +not only did I reach the goal first, but far, far ahead of +all my rivals. I was breathless, exhausted, but happy +and triumphant, reveling amidst the applause of thousands +of spectators who thronged the fields. With a victor’s +pride I walked up to the tribunal of the Mayor, who +was to bestow the prize. Good mother Tranchet also +advanced, caressing and promising me a fine repast of +oats. She extended her hand for the watch and silver +which the Mayor was about to give her, when Andrew +and John, running in breathless haste, exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Stop, Mr. Mayor, stop; it is not right, that. No one +knows this donkey. Mother Tranchet has no right to +the prize. This donkey does not count; it was mine +and John’s donkeys that beat; the watch and money +belong to us.”</p> + +<p>“Did not mother Tranchet contribute to the race?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Mr. Mayor, but—”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image063" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image063.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + My rival seized me by the tail.—(Page <a href="#Page_62">62</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_64"></a><a id="Page_65"></a>[Pg 65]</span></p> + +<p>“Was there any opposition when she did so?”</p> + +<p>“No, Mr. Mayor, but—”</p> + +<p>“Did you oppose it at the moment of departure?”</p> + +<p>“No, Mr. Mayor, but—”</p> + +<p>“Then mother Tranchet’s donkey has really won the +watch and money.”</p> + +<p>“Mr. Mayor, assemble the municipal council to decide +this question; you have no right to decide alone.”</p> + +<p>The Mayor hesitated. Seeing this, I abruptly seized +the watch and bag with my teeth and put them in the +hands of mother Tranchet, who, anxious and trembling, +awaited the Mayor’s decision.</p> + +<p>This act of intelligence put every one on our side and +covered me with applause.</p> + +<p>“Behold the question decided by the victor in favor of +mother Tranchet,” said the Mayor, laughing. “Gentlemen +of the municipal council, at table we will deliberate +upon my allowing justice to be decided by a donkey. +Friends,” added he, casting a mischievous glance at +Andrew and John, “in my opinion the greatest donkey +among us is not that of mother Tranchet.”</p> + +<p>“Bravo! bravo! Mr. Mayor!” arose from every side. +And all laughed except Andrew and John, who went off +shaking their fists at me.</p> + +<p>And as to myself, was I pleased? No, my pride +revolted; the Mayor had insulted me in calling my enemies +donkeys. It was ungrateful and base to do so. I +had displayed courage, forbearance, patience, intelligence, +and this was my recompense! Having insulted, they +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</span>abandoned me. Even mother Tranchet, in her joy at +getting a watch and a purse of a hundred and thirty-five +francs, forgot her benefactor and thought no more of the +promised repast of oats, but departed with the crowd, +leaving me minus the reward I so truly deserved!</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="X"> + X. + <br> + <span class="fs80">GOOD MASTERS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Left</span> sad and solitary in the field, and suffering from +my bitten tail, I was just wondering to myself if donkeys +were not better than men, when I felt a soft hand caress +me, and heard a voice not less gentle, saying:</p> + +<p>“Poor thing! they have been unkind to you, come, +poor beast, come go home to grandma’s, she will feed and +care for you better than your wicked masters! Poor donkey! +how thin you are!”</p> + +<p>Turning round, I saw a pretty little boy about five +years old, his sister apparently three, and the nurse.</p> + +<p>“James,” said Ruth, “what are you saying to this +poor donkey?”</p> + +<p>“I told it to come home to grandma’s, it is all alone, +poor beast!”</p> + +<p>“Yes, James, take him; wait, I am going to get on his +back. Nurse, nurse, put me on the donkey’s back.”</p> + +<p>The nurse put the little girl on my back; James wished +to lead me, but had no bridle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image067" style="max-width: 41.1875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image067.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + I seized the watch and bag with my teeth.—(Page <a href="#Page_65">65</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_68"></a><a id="Page_69"></a>[Pg 69]</span></p> + +<p>“Wait nurse,” said he, “I am going to tie my handkerchief +around his neck.”</p> + +<p>Little James tried to do so, but my neck was much too +large for his small handkerchief; the nurse gave him hers +and it was too small.</p> + +<p>“What shall I do nurse?” said he, ready to cry.</p> + +<p>“We must get a halter or rope from the village. +Come, my little Ruth, get down.”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Ruth, clinging to my neck, “I want to +stay on the donkey, I want him to take me home.”</p> + +<p>“But you have nothing to lead him with; you see he +won’t move any more than if he were a stone.”</p> + +<p>“Wait nurse, yes he will, I know his name, it is Cadichon, +mother Tranchet told me so, I am going to pet and +coax him, and I believe he will follow me.”</p> + +<p>James came up to me and whispered in my ear. “Go +my nice Cadichon, please go.”</p> + +<p>This dear little boy’s confidence touched me, I noticed +with pleasure, that instead of asking for a stick to make +me go, he had thought only of kind and gentle means. +So, scarcely had he finished his words and the accompanying +caresses, ere I began to move.</p> + +<p>“You see nurse, he understands me, he loves me,” +exclaimed James, his cheeks flushed, his eyes sparkling +with joy, as he ran a little in advance to show me the +way.</p> + +<p>“As if a donkey could understand anything! he goes +because he is tired of standing here.”</p> + +<p>“But nurse, he follows me, you see.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</span></p> + +<p>“Because he smells the bread in your pocket.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think he is hungry, nurse?”</p> + +<p>“Very likely, you see how thin he is.”</p> + +<p>“Yes he is, poor Cadichon, and for me not to think of +giving him my bread.”</p> + +<p>And taking from his pocket the piece of bread intended +for his luncheon, he offered it to me.</p> + +<p>I was offended at the nurse’s unkind suggestion, and +delighted with an opportunity of proving that she had +judged me harshly, I followed James and carried Ruth +on my back, not from interest at all, but from civility +and courtesy.</p> + +<p>I refused the offered bread, and contented myself with +licking James’s hand.</p> + +<p>“Nurse, look! look! he licks my hand,” exclaimed +James. “He does not want the bread. Oh! my dear, +nice Cadichon, how I love you! You see now nurse, +that he follows me because he loves me, and not to get +the bread.”</p> + +<p>“So much the better for you, if you can believe you +have a donkey like one nobody else ever saw, a model +donkey. I know they are all headstrong and vicious, +and for my part, I do not like them.”</p> + +<p>“Oh nurse, poor Cadichon is not vicious, see how good +he is to me.”</p> + +<p>“And how long will it all last?”</p> + +<p>“My Cadichon, you will always be good to me and +Ruth, won’t you?” said James, caressing me.</p> + +<p>I turned towards him with such a look of affection, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</span>that in spite of his tender years, he noticed it; then I +cast upon the nurse such a furious glance that she likewise +observed it, for she said immediately:</p> + +<p>“What a wicked eye! and defiant air! he looks at me +as if he wanted to devour me!”</p> + +<p>“Oh nurse,” replied James, “how can you say that? +he looks at me with such a gentle air, as if he wished to +embrace me.”</p> + +<p>Both were right, and I had not been misunderstood. I +promised myself to be gentle and good to James, Ruth, +and all on the place who would be kind to me, and I +also made the wicked resolution, of being spiteful and +vicious to those who would maltreat or insult me, as the +nurse had done. This desire of vengeance, was eventually +to cause me much unhappiness.</p> + +<p>Talking as they went, we kept on and soon reached +their grandmother’s residence.</p> + +<p>They left me at the door, where I stood quietly, like a +well behaved donkey, not even nibbling the grass that +bordered the gravel walks.</p> + +<p>In two minutes, James re-appeared, accompanied by +his grandmother.</p> + +<p>“Come see, grandma, come see how gentle he is, and +how he loves me. Do not believe nurse, I beg you,” said +James clasping his hands.</p> + +<p>“No, grandma, don’t believe it, I entreat you not to +believe it,” repeated Ruth.</p> + +<p>“Let us see,” said the grandmother smiling, “let us see +this famous donkey.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</span></p> + +<p>And coming up to me, she touched me, she caressed +me, she took hold of my ears, put her hand to my mouth, +I stood very quietly, making not the slightest attempt to +bite her, or even get away from her.</p> + +<p>“He seems to be very gentle,” she said, “how could +you say, Emily, that he had a wicked look?”</p> + +<p>“Isn’t he good, grandma, isn’t he? and mustn’t we +keep him?” said James.</p> + +<p>“My dear little one, I believe he is very good; but how +can we keep him, since he is not ours? He must be taken +back to his master.”</p> + +<p>“He has no master, grandma.”</p> + +<p>“We are sure he has no master, grandma,” replied +Ruth, who always repeated her brother’s words.</p> + +<p>“How is that, it is impossible.”</p> + +<p>“It is true, grandma, mother Tranchet told me.”</p> + +<p>“Then how did he gain the race prize for her? Since +he ran for her, she must have borrowed him from some +one.”</p> + +<p>“No, Grandma, he came all alone, and wanted to run +with the others. Mother Tranchet paid the risk, but she +does not own him, he belongs to nobody, it is Cadichon, +whose mistress, poor Pauline died; her parents drove +him off, and he has lived all winter in the woods.”</p> + +<p>“Cadichon! the famous Cadichon who saved his little +mistress from the fire? Ah! I am very glad to know +him; he is truly an extraordinary and admirable donkey.”</p> + +<p>And she walked around me, regarding me attentively. +Proud to see my reputation so well established, I reared +my head, inflated my nostrils and shook my mane.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</span></p> + +<p>“Oh! how thin he is! Poor beast! his devotion met +with little recompense,” said the grandmother in a serious +manner and tone of reproach. “We will keep him, my +child, we will keep him, since he has been abandoned +and driven off by those who ought to have cared for and +loved him. Call Bouland to put him in the stable and +give him a good bed.”</p> + +<p>James, delighted, ran to get Bouland, who came immediately.</p> + +<p>“Bouland, here is a donkey the children have brought +home; take him to the stable and feed and water him,” +said the grandmother.</p> + +<p>“Must he then be taken to his master?” said Bouland.</p> + +<p>“No; he has no master. It appears that he is the +famous Cadichon that was driven off after the death of +his little mistress. He came to the village and my little +children found him abandoned in the field. They +brought him home and we are going to keep him.”</p> + +<p>“And madam does well to keep him; there is not his +equal in all the country. I have heard most wonderful +things about him. They say he hears and understands +all that is said to him. Let us try him, madam. Come, +Cadichon, come get some oats.”</p> + +<p>I immediately turned and followed Bouland.</p> + +<p>“It is astonishing,” said the grandmother; “he really +understood.”</p> + +<p>And she went in the house, but James and Ruth +accompanied me to the stable. I was placed in a stall, +my companions being two horses and a donkey. Bouland, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</span>assisted by James, made me a good bed, and then +went to get my oats.</p> + +<p>“More, more, Bouland; I beg you to give him more,” +said James; “he needs a hearty meal, he has run so +hard.”</p> + +<p>“But, Master James, if you give him too many oats +he will get so lively that you and Miss Ruth can’t ride +him.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! he is such a good donkey, I know we can ride +him all the same.”</p> + +<p>They gave me an enormous quantity of oats and put +a bucket of water beside me. Being thirsty, I first drank +a little and then attacked my oats, meanwhile congratulating +myself upon having fallen into the hands of this +good little James. I also made some reflections upon +mother Tranchet’s ingratitude. Then devouring my +bundle of hay, I lay down on my straw, and, couched +like a king, I slept.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XI"> + XI. + <br> + <span class="fs80">CADICHON SICK.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">My</span> only employment next morning was to take the +children riding an hour. James himself got me my oats, +and in spite of Bouland’s warning, he gave me enough +to feed three donkeys my size. I ate all that was given +me; I was happy. But on the third day I felt sick, I +had fever, and both head and stomach seemed affected; I +could eat neither hay nor oats, but remained extended +upon the straw.</p> + +<p>“Here is Cadichon not up yet,” said James coming to +see me. “Come, Cadichon, it is time to rise, I am going +to give you your oats.”</p> + +<p>I endeavored to rise but my head fell back heavily +upon the straw.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Cadichon is sick,” exclaimed little James, +“Bouland, Bouland, come quick, Cadichon is sick!”</p> + +<p>“How is that,” said Bouland, “he ate his breakfast +this morning?”</p> + +<p>Going up to the trough, Bouland looked in and said:</p> + +<p>“He is sick, he has not touched his oats—his ears are +warm,” added he, taking hold of my ears, “and his side +beats.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</span></p> + +<p>“What does that mean, Bouland?” exclaimed poor +James, in great alarm.</p> + +<p>“It means master James, that Cadichon has a fever, +you have fed him too high, we must get the veterinary.”</p> + +<p>“What is a veterinary?” asked James, still more +alarmed.</p> + +<p>“It is a horse doctor. You see, master James, I told +you right. The poor beast suffered this winter from +hunger and want of shelter, (you can tell by looking at +him, see the color of his hair and how lean he is,) then +he got very much heated running at the race. He ought +to have had a few oats, and some grass to strengthen him, +but you have given him just as many oats as he could +eat.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! my poor Cadichon! he is going to die, and it is +my fault!” said James with a sob.</p> + +<p>“No, master James, he is not going to die this time, +but he must be bled and put out on grass.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! but it will hurt so to bleed him,” said James, +all in tears.</p> + +<p>“Not this bleeding; you will see, for I am going to +bleed him at once, whilst waiting for the veterinary.”</p> + +<p>“I don’t want to see, I don’t want to see,” cried James, +running away, “I am sure it will hurt him.”</p> + +<p>Bouland took his lancet, placed it on a vein in my +neck, struck it a slight blow with a hammer, and the +blood gushed out immediately. As the blood flowed, I +began to feel better, my head became less heavy, and I +was relieved of oppression; I was soon able to rise. Bouland +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</span>stopped the blood and gave me some bran water, and +in about an hour led me into the field. I was better but +not well, and nearly eight days elapsed before I entirely +recovered. Meanwhile, James and Ruth loaded me with +such kindness and attentions as I shall never forget. +They came to see me several times a day; they gathered +grass and held it up to my mouth, that I might be spared +the trouble of bending my head to browse; they brought +me garden salad, cabbage and carrots; every evening +they led me into the stable themselves, to find the trough +full of my favorite dainty, potato pickings with salt. +One day, dear little James wanted to give me his pillow, +because, he said, my head was too low when I slept. +Another time Ruth wished to lend me her coverlet, to +keep me warm at night, and again, they wrapped my legs +with pieces of woolen stuff, for fear of my taking cold. +I was distressed at not being able to express my gratitude, +for I had the misfortune of understanding everything, +without the power of uttering a word. I got well at last, +and soon after my recovery, learned that James and Ruth +with several of their cousins, were getting up a donkey +party to the woods.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XII"> + XII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE ROBBERS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> children were assembled in the yard, and with +them were many donkeys from the neighboring villages. +I recognized nearly all of the latter as my rivals at the +race. John’s donkey eyed me savagely, whilst I, in return, +bestowed upon him most insulting glances. Nearly +all the grandchildren of James’s grandmother were there: +Maud, Beatrice, Elizabeth, Helen, Ruth, William, Henry, +Louis and James. All the mammas were to accompany +them on donkeys, whilst the papas went on foot and +armed with switches to keep the lazy animals moving. +Before starting, there was as usual in such cases, a slight +contention as to who should have the best animal; everybody +wanted me, no one was willing to give up, so it was +at last decided to draw lots. I fell to the lot of little +Louis, James’s cousin; he was an excellent child, and I +would have been well satisfied had I not seen poor little +James’s unsuccessful efforts to hide his tears. Every +time he looked at me they would flow afresh. I felt very +sorry, but was unable to comfort him; however, it was +necessary for him as well as myself to learn resignation +and patience. With manly resolution he mounted his +donkey, saying to Louis as he did so:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</span></p> + +<p>“I will keep near you, Louis; don’t make Cadichon +gallop too fast, or I will be behind.”</p> + +<p>“And why would you remain behind? why not gallop +like me?”</p> + +<p>“Because Cadichon gallops faster than any other donkey +in the country.”</p> + +<p>“How do you know?”</p> + +<p>“Because I saw him run for the prize the day of the +donkey race at the village, and he was far ahead of all +the others.”</p> + +<p>Louis promised his cousin not to go too fast, and we +both started off in a trot. My companion was no laggard, +so I had to restrain myself but little that we might +keep together. The others following, some briskly, some +tardily, we thus reached the forest where stood the very +beautiful ruins of an old convent and chapel that the +children were anxious to see. The place bore an evil +reputation throughout the country, and no one liked to +go there except in large companies. At night, it was +said, strange noises were heard issuing from the ruins, +groans, cries, the clinking of chains; and several travelers +who laughed at these accounts, and went to visit the +spot alone, never returned and were never afterwards +heard of.</p> + +<p>Every one dismounted, and when we had been turned +loose to graze with the bridle over our heads, the papas +and mammas took their children by the hand to prevent +their straying off or lagging behind, and much to my +anxiety the whole party was soon lost to sight amid the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</span>ruins. I likewise left my companions, and screened +myself from the sun under a half-ruined arch, upon a +declivity beside the woods, and a little farther distant +than the convent. I had scarcely been there a quarter +of an hour when I heard a noise near the arch. Crouching +in a recess of the ruined wall, where unperceived, I +could see all around, I listened. The noise, though dull, +increased; it seemed to be underground.</p> + +<p>Not many minutes and I saw a man’s head cautiously +peering up amidst the bushes.</p> + +<p>“Nothing,” said he in a low tone, looking all around. +“No one—you may come, comrades. Every one is to +take a donkey and lead him carefully.”</p> + +<p>He then moved out of the way to allow passage to +about a dozen men.</p> + +<p>“If the donkeys escape,” said he, in an undertone, +“don’t amuse yourselves running after them. Quick, +and no noise, that is the order.”</p> + +<p>Creeping through the woods, which were very thick +just there, the men moved cautiously but quickly. +The donkeys seeking shade, were browsing upon the +grass at the edge of the forest. At a given signal, every +robber caught a donkey by his bridle and led him into +the thicket. Instead of resisting, struggling and braying +to give the alarm, these donkeys allowed themselves to +be taken as passively as if they were sheep. Five +minutes after the robbers had reached the thicket at the +foot of the arch. One by one my comrades were led +into the bushes, whence they disappeared. I heard the +noise of their footsteps under ground, then all was silent.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</span></p> + +<p>“Here,” thought I, “is an explanation of the mysterious +noises that have frightened the country, a band of +robbers concealed in the convent vaults. They must be +taken, but how? that’s the difficulty.”</p> + +<p>I remained concealed in my recess (whence I had a +fine view of the entire convent ruins, and the surrounding +country), and did not stir until I heard the voices of +the children seeking their donkeys. Then I ran forward +to prevent their going too near the arch and thicket, so +skilfully concealing the entrance to the vaults that it was +impossible to perceive them.</p> + +<p>“There is Cadichon!” exclaimed Louis.</p> + +<p>“But where are the others?” said all the children at +once.</p> + +<p>“They must be near,” said Louis’s papa.</p> + +<p>“We had better seek them by the ravine behind the +arch; the grass there is fine, and they have probably +wished to taste it.”</p> + +<p>Trembling at thoughts of the danger they incurred, I +rushed from the side of the arch to prevent their passing. +They endeavored to make me move, but I resisted so +stoutly, barring the passage whichever way they attempted +to go, that Louis’s papa stopped his brother-in-law +and said to him:</p> + +<p>“Listen, there is something very extraordinary about +Cadichon’s behavior. You know what is said of this +animal’s intelligence. Listen to me, and let us turn back. +Besides, it is not likely that all the donkeys would be on +the other side of the ruins.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</span></p> + +<p>“You are right,” answered James’s papa, “and I perceive +the grass around the arch pressed down as if it had +been recently trampled upon. No doubt our donkeys +have been stolen.”</p> + +<p>They returned towards the mammas, who had kept the +children with them, and I followed with a light heart, +happy at having probably averted a terrible calamity. +They talked low, and I perceived that they got close +together.</p> + +<p>“How shall we manage this?” said Louis’s mamma, +when they had called me up. “One donkey can’t carry +all these children.”</p> + +<p>“Put the smallest on Cadichon, and let the rest follow +with us,” said James’s mamma.</p> + +<p>“Come, Cadichon, let us see how many you can carry,” +said Helen’s mamma.</p> + +<p>Ruth being the smallest, was put in front, then Helen, +then James, then Louis. The whole four were not heavy, +and wishing to show that I could carry them without +the least fatigue, I set off in a trot.</p> + +<p>“Not so fast, Cadichon!” cried the papas, “gently, so +we can hold on to those on your back.”</p> + +<p>I changed my gait to a walk, and proceeded, surrounded +by the larger children and the mammas, the papas +following to assist those that were disposed to lag behind.</p> + +<p>“Mamma, why didn’t papa hunt for our donkeys?” said +Henry, who was the youngest of the band, and found +the way long.</p> + +<p>“Because your papa thinks they have been stolen, and +it would be useless to seek them.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</span></p> + +<p>“Stolen! who stole them? I saw nobody.”</p> + +<p>“Nor did I, but there were traces of footsteps around +the arch.”</p> + +<p>“But then, mamma, he ought to have hunted for the +robbers,” said William.</p> + +<p>“That would have been very imprudent, as there must +have been several men, to have taken thirteen donkeys. +They were probably armed, and would have killed or +wounded your papas.”</p> + +<p>“Armed, mamma!” said William.</p> + +<p>“Yes, with clubs, knives, perhaps pistols.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! how very dangerous! Papa was right to return +with my uncles!” exclaimed Maud.</p> + +<p>“We must hasten home, for your papa and uncles are +going to the village after our return.”</p> + +<p>“Why, mamma?” asked William.</p> + +<p>“To warn the guards, and try to recover the donkeys.”</p> + +<p>“I am sorry we went to see the ruins,” said Maud.</p> + +<p>“Why?” replied Beatrice, “they were beautiful.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but it was very dangerous. Suppose the robbers +had captured us instead of the donkeys?”</p> + +<p>“That would have been impossible! there were too +many of us,” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“But there must have been a number of robbers,” was +Maud’s reply.</p> + +<p>“We would all have fought them,” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“With what? we had only a stick.”</p> + +<p>“And our feet, our fists, our teeth; I would have +scratched them to death; I would have torn their eyes +out!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</span></p> + +<p>“And the robbers would have killed you, that’s all,” +said William.</p> + +<p>“Killed me! and papa and mamma there! do you suppose +they would have allowed the robbers to carry me off +or kill me?”</p> + +<p>“The robbers would have killed them too, and before +they killed you,” answered Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“Do you think, then, that there was an army of +robbers?”</p> + +<p>“There could not have been less than a dozen.”</p> + +<p>“A dozen? what nonsense! do you believe that robbers +always go in dozens, like oysters?”</p> + +<p>“You are always making fun of whatever is said to +you! I say that to carry off thirteen donkeys, there +must have been at least twelve men.”</p> + +<p>“I bet so myself, and the thirteenth was to make good +measure, like little pies.”</p> + +<p>The mammas, and the other children laughed at this +conversation, until it turned into dispute; then Elizabeth’s +mamma bade her be silent, and said that Beatrice +was probably correct as to the number of robbers.</p> + +<p>We were not long in reaching the house, and great +was the surprise of all there, to see the party returning +on foot, and me, Cadichon, carrying four children. But +when the papas recounted the disappearance of the donkeys, +and my persistency in not allowing any one to +approach the arch, all shook their heads, and gave vent +to a multitude of most singular suppositions; some said +the donkeys had been swallowed up by demons; others, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</span>that the religious buried in the chapel had seized them to +ride all over with them; and others again, that the angels +guarding the convent, reduced to dust and ashes every +animal approaching too near the cemetery where the +souls of the religious wandered. Not one suggested the +idea of robbers concealed in the vaults.</p> + +<p>Immediately on their return, the three papas acquainted +the grandmother with the probable theft of their donkeys, +after which the horses were put to the carriage, and they +went to lay their complaint before the authorities of the +neighboring town. In two hours they returned with an +officer and six guards. Such was my reputation for intelligence, +that the gravest suspicions were based upon my +resistance to the attempted passage of the arch. The +guards were armed with pistols and carbines, ready to +take the field. However, they accepted the grandmother’s +invitation to dinner, and sat down to the table with the +ladies and gentlemen.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XIII"> + XIII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE VAULTS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> dinner was not long, for the soldiers were anxious +to make their inspection before night. They asked the +grandmother’s permission to take me with them.</p> + +<p>“He will be very useful in our expedition, madam,” +said the officer. “This Cadichon is not an ordinary +donkey; he has already accomplished more difficult +things than we are going to require of him.”</p> + +<p>“Take him, if you think it necessary, but do not +fatigue him too much, I beg of you. The poor beast +made that journey this morning and returned with four +of my grandchildren on his back.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, as to that, madam, you may be perfectly easy; +be sure we will treat him as kindly as possible.”</p> + +<p>Having eaten and drunk, my dinner being a peck of +oats, an armful of salad, carrots and other vegetables, +with a bucket of water, I was ready to start. When +they came to take me, I placed myself at the head and +they all followed—a donkey guiding soldiers! They did +not seem vexed at this, however, for they were all good +men. Soldiers are generally considered rough and harsh, +but I assure you they are just the contrary; no people in +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</span>the world are kinder, none more charitable, patient and +generous than these same military men. Whilst on the +road they took every imaginable care of me, relaxing +their pace when they thought me fatigued, and proposing +to let me drink at every stream we crossed.</p> + +<p>It was nearly night when we reached the convent. +Fearing their horses might be a disadvantage, they had +been left at a village near the forest. The officer now +gave orders for the men to follow all my movements and +to keep together. Without hesitation I led them to the +entrance of the arch overgrown with bushes, and whence +I had seen the twelve robbers issue.</p> + +<p>With the greatest anxiety, I saw that they remained +there. To get them away I went a few steps behind the +wall; they followed and I returned to the bushes, preventing +them from returning also, by barring the way +whenever they attempted a step in that direction. They +understood me and remained concealed along the wall.</p> + +<p>I then approached the entrance to the vaults, and +began to bray with all the strength of my lungs. I was +not long in attaining my object. All my imprisoned +comrades responded vigorously. I made a step towards +the soldiers, who divined my manœuvres, and I returned +to the entrance of the vaults, where I began to bray +again. This time there was no answer, and I suspected +that the robbers to prevent my comrades’ braying had +tied stones to their tails. Everybody knows that on braying +we raise our tails, and not being able to raise their +tails, because of the weight of the stones, my comrades +held their peace.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</span></p> + +<p>I remained about two steps from the entrance. Soon +a man’s head cautiously peered up amidst the bushes. +Looking all around and seeing no one but myself:</p> + +<p>“Ah!” said he, “here is the knave we missed this +morning. You will rejoin your companions, my brayer.”</p> + +<p>As he was about to seize me, I retreated a couple of +steps, he followed, I still kept out of his reach, until I +had brought him to the angle of the wall, behind which +my friends, the soldiers, were concealed.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="image088" style="max-width: 46.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image088.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Before he had time to utter a cry even, they had seized, +gagged, and bound and extended him on the ground. I +returned to the entrance and brayed again, not doubting +but this would bring another to see what had become of +his companion. And sure enough, I soon heard a slight +movement among the bushes, and saw a new head looking +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</span>around with the same precaution. Not being able to +reach me, the second robber did precisely as the first. I +executed the same manœuvre, and he was in the soldiers’ +hands before he had time to know what had happened. +I proceeded thus, until six were taken. After the +sixth, I brayed in vain; no one appeared. I suppose, +noticing that their companions did not return, the robbers +began to suspect a trap and determined to run no +more risks.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="image089" style="max-width: 42.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image089.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Meanwhile, night had set in and we could scarcely see. +The officer sent one of his men for reinforcements to +attack the robbers in their cave, and to take away in a +vehicle, the six prisoners bound and gagged. The remaining +soldiers were divided into two bands to guard the +convent outlets; as for me, receiving many caresses and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</span>unbounded compliments, I was allowed to follow my own +inclinations.</p> + +<p>“If he were not a donkey,” said one soldier, “he would +merit the cross.”</p> + +<p>“Hasn’t he one on his back?” said another.</p> + +<p>“Hush that,” said a third, “its a poor joke; you know +very well that this cross is marked upon their backs to +remind us that one of their number had once the honor +of carrying our Lord Jesus Christ.”</p> + +<p>“That’s why it is a cross of honor,” was the answer.</p> + +<p>“Silence,” said the officer in an undertone, “Cadichon +pricks up his ears.”</p> + +<p>I indeed heard an extraordinary noise from beneath +the arch, it was not the sound of footsteps, but rather +that of stifled cries and a sort of crackling. The soldiers +likewise heard it, but could not divine the cause. At +last a thick smoke was seen issuing from the air holes +and lower windows of the convent, tongues of flame +leaped out, and in a few minutes all was on fire.</p> + +<p>“They have set fire to the vaults, so they can escape by +the doors,” said the officer.</p> + +<p>“It must be extinguished, lieutenant,” replied a soldier.</p> + +<p>“Be very careful! Guard every opening more closely +than ever, and if the robbers show themselves, fire your +carbines, use the pistols afterwards.”</p> + +<p>The officer had truly divined their manœuvres; understanding +that they had been discovered and their comrades +captured, the robbers hoped to avail themselves of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</span>the opportunity afforded by the soldiers’ efforts in extinguishing +the flames, to make their own escape and liberate +their friends. We soon saw the remaining six and their +captain rush out of the masked entrance by the bushes; +but three guards were at this post; each one drew his +carbine before the robbers had time to use their arms. +Two of the thieves fell, and the third let his pistol drop +from his hands, his arm was broken. But the captain +and the other three rushed furiously upon the soldiers, +who, sabre in one hand and pistol in the other, fought +like lions. Before the officer and the two soldiers guarding +the opposite side of the convent had had time to +come to their companions’ assistance, the combat was +nearly ended and the robbers all either killed or wounded; +the captain who still defended himself against a soldier, +being the only one on his feet. His two comrades +were dangerously wounded. The arrival of reinforcements +ended the contest. In the twinkling of an eye, +the captain was surrounded, disarmed, gagged and put +beside the other six.</p> + +<p>During this struggle the fire died out; in fact, nothing +had been burning but some bushes and undergrowth, but +the officer before penetrating into the vaults wished to +await the arrival of the expected reinforcements. The +night was well advanced, when we saw the six additional +soldiers and the vehicle which was to take away +the prisoners. They were placed in it side by side. The +officer being humane, had given orders to remove the +gags, and in consequence, the soldiers were loaded with +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</span>all manner of abusive epithets, to which, however, they +paid no attention. Two of them got into the wagon to +escort the prisoners, and meanwhile litters were made to +carry the wounded.</p> + +<p>During these preparations, I accompanied the officer, +who, with eight men, penetrated into the vaults. We +traversed a long corridor, which sloped downward, until +at last we reached the vaults, where the brigands had +established their dwelling. One of these caves served +for their stable, and here we found all my comrades captured +that day, each one with a stone to his tail. The +stones were immediately detached, and the donkeys +began to bray in unison. Being underground, it was +deafening.</p> + +<p>“Silence! donkeys!” said a soldier, “unless you want +your trinkets put on again.”</p> + +<p>“Let them alone,” responded another soldier, “you +know very well they are sounding Cadichon’s praises.”</p> + +<p>“I would prefer their doing it in another tone,” said +the first soldier laughing.</p> + +<p>“This man assuredly,” said I to myself, “does not like +music. What does he find to censure in my comrades’ +voices.” Poor comrades! they chanted their deliverance.</p> + +<p>We continued our inspection. One of the vaults was +full of stolen goods. In another, were the prisoners kept +to wait on them, some attended to the dishes, the cooking, +the cleaning of the vaults, others made the clothing +and shoes. Some of these unhappy creatures had been +there for two years; they were chained by twos, and had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</span>little bells to their arms and feet, so as to keep one +always acquainted with their movements. Two robbers +remained constantly with them as guards, and never +more than two captives were allowed in the same vault, +except those who made the clothing. The latter were all +together whilst working, but during this time the end of +their chain was attached to a ring fastened in the wall.</p> + +<p>I learned afterwards that these captives, about forty in +number, were the visitors to the ruins, who had been disappearing +for the last two years. They related how the +robbers had killed before their eyes, three of them, who +were sick, and one who obstinately refused to work.</p> + +<p>The soldiers delivered all these poor creatures, brought +the donkeys to the castle, carried the wounded men to +the hospital, and put the robbers in prison. The latter +were judged and condemned; the captain to death, the +others to transportation to Cayenne. As for me, I was +the universal subject of admiration; wherever I went, I +heard persons saying:</p> + +<p>“It is Cadichon! the famous Cadichon, worth all the +donkeys in the country!”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XIV"> + XIV. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THERESA.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">My</span> little mistresses, (for my masters and mistresses +corresponded to the number of the grandmother’s grandchildren,) +had a cousin, of whom they were very fond. +She was near their age, and their most intimate friend. +Theresa was her name, and a good, kind little darling she +was. She never touched me with a switch, and never +permitted anyone to do so when she was on my back.</p> + +<p>In one of our promenades, my young mistresses came +upon a little girl seated along the roadside. She rose at +their approach and came limping towards them, asking +alms. They were all touched at her sad, dejected appearance.</p> + +<p>“Why do you limp, little one?” said Theresa.</p> + +<p>“Because my shoes hurt me, miss.”</p> + +<p>“Why don’t you ask your mamma to get you another +pair?”</p> + +<p>“I have no mamma, miss.”</p> + +<p>“Ask your papa, then?”</p> + +<p>“I have no papa, miss.”</p> + +<p>“But with whom do you live?”</p> + +<p>“With nobody, I live alone.”</p> + +<p>“Who feeds you?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image095" style="max-width: 36.125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image095.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + A little girl asked alms from them.—(Page <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_96"></a><a id="Page_97"></a>[Pg 97]</span></p> + +<p>“Sometimes nobody, sometimes everybody.”</p> + +<p>“How old are you?”</p> + +<p>“I do not know, miss, about seven years perhaps.”</p> + +<p>“Where do you sleep?”</p> + +<p>“Wherever anybody takes me in; when everybody +drives me away, I sleep out-doors, under a tree, near a +hedge, anywhere.”</p> + +<p>“But in winter you must freeze.”</p> + +<p>“I get cold, but I am used to it,”</p> + +<p>“Have you had any dinner to-day?”</p> + +<p>“I have not eaten since yesterday.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! that is dreadful, dreadful,” said Theresa, with +tears in her eyes. “My dear cousins, wouldn’t your +grandma give this poor little thing something to eat and +let her sleep in the castle?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly,” answered the three cousins, “grandma +would be delighted, and, besides, she always does what +we wish her to do.”</p> + +<p>“But, Theresa,” said Beatrice, “how shall we get her +to the house? see how she limps.”</p> + +<p>“Put her on Cadichon, and let us go on foot, instead +of taking turns on Cadichon, two by two, as we have +been doing.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, to be sure; what a good idea,” exclaimed the +three cousins.</p> + +<p>They put the little girl on my back, and Maud gave +her a piece of bread that had been left of their lunch. +She was delighted to get a ride, but so great were her +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</span>fatigue and hunger, that she ate the bread with avidity, +and said nothing.</p> + +<p>When we reached home, Maud and Elizabeth took the +child into the kitchen, whilst Beatrice and Theresa ran +to their grandmother. “Grandma,” said Beatrice, “will +you let us give a good little girl that we found on the +road something to eat?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, my darling; but who is she?”</p> + +<p>“I don’t know, grandma.”</p> + +<p>“Where does she live?”</p> + +<p>“Nowhere, grandma.”</p> + +<p>“Nowhere! how is that? Her parents must live +somewhere.”</p> + +<p>“She has no parents, grandma, she is all alone.”</p> + +<p>“And,” said Theresa, timidly, “will you let the poor +little thing sleep here?”</p> + +<p>“If she really has no home, I could not turn her away; +but I must see her and speak to her.”</p> + +<p>So saying, she arose and went to the kitchen where the +little girl was finishing her meal. She called the child, +who came limping, questioned her and obtained the same +replies. It was truly an embarrassing case. To send +this child away, plunging her again into the state of +abandonment and suffering from which she had just been +rescued, would be impossible; but then what was to be +done with her? who was to take charge of and raise +her?</p> + +<p>“Listen, my dear,” said the grandmother, “you will +eat and sleep here, whilst I make inquiries as to the truth +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</span>of your account, and in a few days I will see what I can +do for you.”</p> + +<p>She then gave orders to prepare a bed for the child, +and not to let her want for anything; but the poor little +creature was so filthy that no one wished to touch her or +even come near her. Theresa was in despair; she could +not insist upon her aunt’s servants doing what was so +repugnant to them.</p> + +<p>“It was I,” thought she, “who brought her here, and +I am the one to have the care and trouble. But how +shall I do?”</p> + +<p>After a moment’s reflection, an idea presented itself.</p> + +<p>“Wait, my dear,” said she, “I will be back presently.” +And she ran to her mamma.</p> + +<p>“Mamma,” said she, “ought I not to take a bath?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, Theresa, go now, your nurse is waiting for you.”</p> + +<p>“Mamma, instead of taking a bath myself, would you +let me give one to the little girl we have brought here?”</p> + +<p>“What little girl? I have not seen her.”</p> + +<p>“A poor, poor little thing, who has no papa, no mamma, +no one to take care of her, who sleeps out-doors, and eats +only what people give her. Maud’s grandma says she +may stay at the castle, but none of the servants will +touch her.”</p> + +<p>“Why not?”</p> + +<p>“Because she is so dirty, so dirty, she is disgusting; +then mamma, if you are willing, I will bathe her in my +place, not to disgust nurse. I will undress and soap her +myself, and I will cut her hair, which is all tangled and +full of little white insects.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</span></p> + +<p>“But, my little Theresa, won’t it disgust you too, to +touch and wash her?”</p> + +<p>“A little, mamma, but when I think that if I were in +her place, it would make me so happy to have somebody +care for me, I feel encouraged. And mamma, when she +is washed, will you let me put some of my old clothes on +her, till I buy her new ones?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, my dear little Theresa, but how can you +buy her clothing? You have only two or three francs, +about enough to get her a chemise.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! mamma, you forgot my twenty franc piece!”</p> + +<p>“That you gave your papa to keep for you, so you +would not spend it? I thought you were saving that to +buy a beautiful prayer book like Maud’s.”</p> + +<p>“I would rather do without the beautiful prayer book, +mamma, I still have my old one.”</p> + +<p>“Do as you wish, my child, whenever there is a question +of doing good, I leave you free to use your own +pleasure.”</p> + +<p>Her mamma embraced her, and then went with her to +see this little girl that no one would touch.</p> + +<p>“If she has any disease of the skin, that Theresa can +catch, I shall not let Theresa touch her,” said the mother.</p> + +<figure class="figright illowp35" id="image101" style="max-width: 29.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image101.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> + +<p>The little girl still waited at the door. A careful +examination of her hands and body revealed no traces of +disease, but a great deal of dirt. Her hair was so full of +vermin, that making her sit on the grass, Theresa’s +mamma cut it close to her head, without touching it with +her hands. When it was all on the grass, she took it up +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</span>on a shovel, and told one of the servants to throw it +away out of reach. Then in a tub of tepid water, with +Theresa’s assistance, she gave the little beggar’s head a +thorough washing and cleaning. Having wiped it, she +said to Theresa: “Now, my pet, +whilst you give her a bath, I +will throw these rags in the fire.” +Maud, Beatrice and Elizabeth +came to Theresa’s assistance; +they all four led her into the +bath room and undressed her, +in spite of the disgusting odor +of her rags and dirt. Then +eagerly plunging her in the +water, they soaped her from +head to foot. The operation +was such a pleasant one to all +parties, both the little girl and +her friends, that she was kept +in somewhat longer than necessity +required. When the bathing was over, and +she had expressed her satisfaction, the four assisted her +out of the bath tub. Then after wiping and rubbing +her skin until it was very red and as dry as a ham bone, +they arrayed her in a chemise, a petticoat and a dress +belonging to Theresa, all of which answered the purpose, +because Theresa, like other little girls in her station, +wore her clothes very short, whilst the little beggar’s +were expected to reach her ankles. The waist was somewhat +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</span>long, but not being excessively particular, everyone +was pleased. When about to put on her shoes and +stockings, the children perceived a sore upon the instep. +It was this which had made her limp. Maud immediately +ran to her grandmother for some salve. The grandmother +gave what was necessary, and Maud, assisted by +her three friends, one of whom steadied the little girl, +whilst a second held her foot, and a third unrolled the +bandage and applied the liniment. They were nearly +one quarter of an hour arranging a compress and band; +sometimes it was too tight, sometimes not tight enough; +the band was too high, or the compress too low; they +disputed and jerked the sore foot first this way and then +that, the owner, meanwhile, not daring to object or utter +a complaint. At last, however, the bandage was arranged +satisfactorily, a pair of Theresa’s old stockings and slippers +put on her feet, and the little beggar relieved of her +kind waiting maids’ attentions. When she returned to +the kitchen no one recognized her.</p> + +<p>“This is certainly not the little fright that just went +out of here,” said one servant.</p> + +<p>“It is the same child,” replied another servant, “but +no one would know it, she looks so genteel now.”</p> + +<p>“It is all lost time for Madame d’Arbe and the children +to fix her up like that. As for me, I would not +have touched her if they had given me twenty francs,” +said the cook.</p> + +<p>“And she smelt so bad,” said the kitchen girl.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image103" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image103.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “Come, come,” interposed the cook, “don’t go too far.”—(Page <a href="#Page_105">105</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“You ought not to have such a sensitive nose, my +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_103"></a><a id="Page_104"></a><a id="Page_105"></a>[Pg 105]</span>fair one,” replied the coachman, “you who have your +gridirons, your saucepans and all such things to clean.”</p> + +<p>“My gridirons and saucepans are not strong of the +stable, like some people I know,” was the kitchen girl’s +answer, somewhat piqued.</p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! ah! she is angry, take care of the broom!” +said the other servants.</p> + +<p>“If she takes hers, I know very well where to find +mine,” said the coachman, “and the pitchfork and curry-comb.”</p> + +<p>“Come, come,” interposed the cook, “don’t go too far; +she is passionate, and you know you must not irritate +her.”</p> + +<p>“What is that to me? if she gets angry, so will I.”</p> + +<p>“But I do not want that here; madam does not like +disputes; it is very certain that we all would come in for +a share of the blame.”</p> + +<p>“Le Vatel is right,” said another servant. “Hush, +Thomas, you are always getting up a quarrel. Besides, +this is not your place.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed! my place is anywhere, when I have no +stable work to do.”</p> + +<p>“But you have work to do,” replied the cook. “Look +at Cadichon, not yet unsaddled, and walking up and +down like a countryman waiting for his dinner.”</p> + +<p>“I believe Cadichon listens at the doors; he is more +cunning than he seems; he is a real scamp of a donkey,” +said the coachman, as he called me, and taking hold of +my bridle, led me to the stable. Having unbridled and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</span>unsaddled me, he left me alone, that is, with two horses +and another donkey, with none of whom I ever deigned +to converse.</p> + +<p>I know not what took place that evening at the castle, +but the next afternoon I was saddled, and with the little +beggar on my back, my four little mistresses following +on foot, we all went to the village. I learned from their +conversation that they were on a shopping expedition +for their protégé. Theresa wished to furnish the outfit +entire, the others insisted on paying their share, and the +dispute grew so animated, that had I not stopped at the +store of myself, they would have passed it. In helping +the little girl to get down, they nearly pitched her face +foremost on the ground, for all darted at her at once; +one caught her by the legs, another by the arms, a third +by the waist, whilst Elizabeth, who was stronger than +two or three of the others put together, pushed them +away so that she could help the child off all by herself. +Pulled here and there, the poor thing began to cry of +fright, until she attracted the attention of passers by. +The store-keeper opened the door:</p> + +<p>“Good morning, young ladies, let me help you, you +are not strong enough to lift this little girl.”</p> + +<p>My young mistresses, satisfied at not having yielded to +one another, relinquished their hold on the child and the +store-keeper immediately lifted her off my back.</p> + +<p>“What will you have, young ladies?” said Madam +Juivet.</p> + +<p>“We want to get materials for clothing for this little +girl,” answered Beatrice.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</span></p> + +<p>“Oh, certainly; is it a dress, a petticoat, or undergarments +you wish?”</p> + +<p>“We want materials for all, Madam Juivet,” answered +Maud; “let us have enough to make three chemises, one +petticoat, one dress, one apron, one neckerchief, two +bonnets.”</p> + +<p>“Let me speak, Maud,” whispered Theresa, “since I am +going to pay.”</p> + +<p>“No, you are not going to pay all, we wish to pay +part,” was the whispered answer.</p> + +<p>“But I would rather pay alone,” said Theresa in the +same tone, “she is my girl.”</p> + +<p>“No, she isn’t, she belongs to us all,” said Maud.</p> + +<p>“What materials do you prefer?” interrupted Madam +Juivet, impatient to sell.</p> + +<p>Whilst Maud and Theresa continued their dispute in +an undertone, Beatrice and Elizabeth took advantage of +the opportunity to make the purchases.</p> + +<p>“Good-bye, Madam Juivet,” said they, “send it home +as soon as possible, and enclose the bill also.”</p> + +<p>“How is that!” exclaimed Maud and Theresa, “have +you already bought the things?”</p> + +<p>“Yes,” answered Beatrice, with a mischievous air, “we +selected all that was necessary whilst you two were +talking.”</p> + +<p>“But you ought to have consulted our tastes too,” +replied Maud.</p> + +<p>“Certainly, since I am the person who pays,” said +Theresa.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</span></p> + +<p>“We’ll all pay, we’ll all pay!” cried the other three +in chorus.</p> + +<p>“How much is it?” inquired Theresa.</p> + +<p>“Thirty-two francs, miss.”</p> + +<p>“Thirty-two francs!” exclaimed the frightened Theresa, +“but I have only twenty.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! we’ll pay the rest,” said Maud.</p> + +<p>“So much the better, as we will then have all helped +to clothe her,” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“So thanks to Madam Juivet, we are at last agreed, +and it was not such an easy matter,” said Beatrice laughing.</p> + +<p>Through the open door, I had heard all, and was indignant +at Madam Juivet, for she had charged my kind +little mistresses at least double the value of their goods. +I hoped their mammas would not consent to the imposition. +We returned home, every one pleased, thanks to +Madam Juivet, as Beatrice had innocently remarked.</p> + +<p>It was beautiful weather, and all were seated on the +lawn in front of the house when we arrived. William, +Henry, Louis and James had been fishing in one of the +ponds, during our trip to the village, and had just +returned with three fine fishes and a number of little +ones. Whilst Louis and James took off my saddle and +bridle, the four little girls gave their mammas an account +of their purchases.</p> + +<p>“What did they come to?” said Theresa’s mamma. +“How much is left of your twenty franc piece?”</p> + +<p>Theresa was a little embarrassed, and blushed slightly +as she answered:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</span></p> + +<p>“Nothing, mamma.”</p> + +<p>“Nothing! twenty francs to dress a child six or seven +years old!” said Maud’s mamma. “That is dreadfully +high! what have you bought?”</p> + +<p>Theresa could not tell, she could only say that Beatrice +and Elizabeth had made the selection.</p> + +<p>But the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of +Madam Juivet with the package, much to the delight of +Beatrice and Elizabeth, who were beginning to think +they had made a bad bargain.</p> + +<p>“Good day, Madam Juivet,” said the grandmother, +“open your package here on the lawn and let us see +what these little girls have bought.”</p> + +<p>Making a salutation, Madam Juivet laid down her +bundle, undid it, and after taking from it the bill, which +she handed Beatrice, proceeded to display the goods.</p> + +<p>Beatrice had blushed on receiving the bill; her grandmother +took it from her hands and uttered an exclamation +of surprise.</p> + +<p>“Thirty-two francs to dress a little beggar! Madam +Juivet,” added she, in a severe tone, “you have taken +advantage of my grandchildren’s ignorance; you know +very well that these materials are entirely too expensive +for our purpose. You will take them all back, and know +that hereafter we deal no more with you.”</p> + +<p>“Madam,” said Madam Juivet, with restrained wrath, +“these young ladies consulted their own tastes, I did not +make the selection of a single article.”</p> + +<p>“But you ought to have shown them only what was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</span>suitable, and not have tried to palm off on them your old +merchandise that no one wants.”</p> + +<p>“Madam, these young ladies having bought my goods, +ought to pay for them.”</p> + +<p>“They will pay for none of them,” replied the grandmother, +in a tone of severity, “and you may take them +all back. Go, immediately; I shall send my maid to +make the necessary purchases of Madam Jourdan.”</p> + +<p>Madam Juivet retired in a terrible rage. I accompanied +her to the road, braying triumphantly and frisking +around her, much to the children’s amusement and her +own terror, for feeling guilty, she feared my vengeance, +as everybody considered me somewhat of a sorcerer, and +consequently evil doers stood greatly in awe of me.</p> + +<p>The mammas scolded the children, the boys laughed at +them; as for me, I quietly nibbled the grass, and watched +them run, skip and play. Listening meantime to all +that was said (for I always took good care to keep within +hearing distance). I learned that next day there was to +be a gunning party, that Henry and William were to +have little muskets for the occasion, and also, that one of +their young neighbors was invited to join them.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XV"> + XV. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE GUNNING PARTY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">As</span> I have already remarked there was to be a gunning +expedition next day, William and Henry were ready +before anyone else—it was their first appearance as gunners—so +equipped with guns and game bags, their eyes +sparkling with pleasure, they strutted around in a proud, +defiant manner, as if they expected to shoot all the game +in the country. I followed at a distance, and observed +all their preparations for the expedition.</p> + +<p>“William,” said Henry in a thoughtful manner, +“when our game bags are full, where shall we put the +rest of our game?”</p> + +<p>“That is just what I was thinking of,” answered William, +“I will ask papa to let us take Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>This idea did not please me at all; I knew that young +gunners fired a little at random and in aiming at a partridge, +they might send the load into me, so I anxiously +awaited the result of the request.</p> + +<p>“Papa,” said William to his father who approached, +“may we take Cadichon?”</p> + +<p>“For what?” answered the father laughing, “do you +wish to gun on donkey back, and pursue the partridges +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</span>in their flight? If so, you must first put wings to +Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>“No, papa,” said Henry, a little vexed, “we want him +to carry our game when our pouches are too full.”</p> + +<p>“To carry your game!” replied his father greatly surprised +and still laughing. “You think then, poor innocents, +you are going to kill not only something, but a +great deal!”</p> + +<p>“Certainly papa,” was Henry’s piqued reply, “I have +twenty cartridges in my vest, and I shall kill fifteen +pieces of game, at least.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! ah! that is really a good joke! Do you +know what you will kill, you two and your friend +Alfred?”</p> + +<p>“What papa?”</p> + +<p>“Time and nothing else.”</p> + +<p>“Well papa,” said Henry, very much annoyed, “why +do you give us guns, and take us out gunning, if you +think us so stupid and awkward as to kill nothing?”</p> + +<p>“To teach you to gun, little dunces, nobody is a successful +gunner at first, one becomes so only by dint of +practice.”</p> + +<p>Here the conversation was interrupted by the arrival +of Alfred, also ready to shoot all he came across. William +and Henry were still flushed with indignation +when Alfred joined them.</p> + +<p>“Papa thinks we are not going to shoot anything, +Alfred,” said William, “we’ll convince him that we are +better gunners than he thinks.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</span></p> + +<p>“Don’t worry about it; we shall kill more than themselves,” +replied Alfred.</p> + +<p>“Why more?” inquired Henry.</p> + +<p>“Because we are young, active and nimble, whilst our +papas are getting a little old.”</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed,” said Henry, “my papa is forty-two +years old, whilst William is fifteen and I thirteen. What +a difference!”</p> + +<p>“And between my papa and me too! He is forty-three, +whilst I am but fourteen!” said Alfred.</p> + +<p>“Listen to me,” said William, “without telling papa, +I am going to have Cadichon saddled and the panniers +put on him. He will follow us, and we will make him +carry our game.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, that is splendid!” replied Alfred, “but put on +the big panniers, for if we were to kill a buck it would +take up a great deal of room.”</p> + +<p>Henry was charged with the commission. I laughed +to myself at their foresight, for I was very sure not only +of not being loaded with a buck, but of returning with +panniers as empty as at my departure.</p> + +<p>“Ready!” said the papas. “We will go ahead, and +you boys keep near. We will disband on getting into +the field.”</p> + +<p>“What does this mean, Cadichon following us?” said +William’s father in great surprise, “Cadichon ornamented +with two enormous baskets!”</p> + +<p>“Those baskets,” said the gamekeeper laughing, “are +to carry the young gentlemen’s game.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</span></p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! they wish to put him at their head—I +would prefer Cadichon’s following (if he has nothing else +to do,) instead of taking the lead,” replied William’s +father.</p> + +<p>And he smiled as he glanced at William and Henry, +who tried to look very indifferent.</p> + +<p>“Is your gun cocked, William?” inquired Henry.</p> + +<p>“Not yet, it is so hard to cock and uncock, that I prefer +waiting till a partridge starts up.”</p> + +<p>“We are now in the field,” said their papa, “keep in +a line and shoot ahead, straight ahead of you, not to the +right or the left, unless you want to kill some of us.”</p> + +<p>The partridges flew up on all sides; I remained prudently +behind, and even at a little distance, finding it +advisable, for more than one dog that happened to be in +the way, got a few grains of shot. The dogs scented the +game, started it up, and did their duty in every respect, +reports of muskets were heard all along the line. I did +not lose sight of my three young boasters, they fired often, +but got nothing, none of the three even touched a hare +or partridge. Their impatience was so great that they +always fired out of range, either too far or too near; +sometimes all three aimed in vain at the same partridge. +The papas on the contrary, were having fine sport, each +report of the gun representing an addition to their game +bags. In about two hours, Henry and William’s papa +came up to them.</p> + +<p>“Well, children,” said he, “is Cadichon very heavily +laden? Is there still room for me to empty my game +bag? for it is too full.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</span></p> + +<p>There was no answer; the boys knew from their +father’s mischievous manner, that he was making sport +of them. As for me, I came running up, and turned one +of the baskets towards him.</p> + +<p>“How is this?” said he, “empty! your game bags will +burst if you cram them.”</p> + +<p>The game bags were flat. Laughing at the young +gunners’ discomfited air, he emptied his birds into one +of my baskets and hastened to his dog which was starting +more game.</p> + +<p>“I see how your father kills so many partridges,” said +Alfred; “he has two dogs that scare up the game and +bring it to him, when he kills it; as for us, they have +not left us even one dog.”</p> + +<p>“That is true,” replied Henry, “perhaps we have +killed a number of partridges, but have lost them for +want of a dog to bring them to us.”</p> + +<p>“But I have not seen any fall,” said William.</p> + +<p>“Because a partridge does not fall as soon as it is +shot,” said Alfred, “It flies a little and falls some distance +off.”</p> + +<p>“But when papa and my uncles shoot,” persisted +William, “their partridges fall immediately.”</p> + +<p>“It seems so to you,” explained Alfred, “because you +are some ways off, but if you were in their place, you +would notice the difference.”</p> + +<p>William said nothing, but his manner betrayed very +little confidence in Alfred’s words. They had all begun +to leave off somewhat of the proud, soldierly air with +which they sallied forth as gunners.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</span></p> + +<p>They commenced to inquire the hour.</p> + +<p>“I am hungry,” said Henry.</p> + +<p>“I am thirsty,” said Alfred.</p> + +<p>“I am tired,” said William.</p> + +<p>As to the papas, they fired and killed, and had plenty +of luck. However, not forgetting their young companions, +and not wishing to fatigue them too much, they +proposed a halt for breakfast, which met with universal +approbation. Calling in the dogs from the field to rest +for awhile, they all directed their steps towards a farm +about a hundred steps off, where the grandmother had +sent the provisions.</p> + +<p>They seated themselves on the ground under an old +oak, and opened the baskets, which displayed as usual on +such occasions, a chicken pie, a ham, hard eggs, cheese, +marmalade, preserves, a big bun, an enormous cake and +several bottles of old wine. All the gunners, young and +old, had fine appetites, and ate enough to have astonished +a spectator. Yet the grandmother had provided +so bountifully for the needs of the most voracious, that +half the provisions remained for the gamekeepers and +farm people. The dogs had the scraps to appease their +hunger and pond water to quench their thirst.</p> + +<p>“You have not had much luck, children,” said Alfred’s +papa. “Cadichon does not move as if he were heavily +laden.”</p> + +<p>“It is no wonder, papa, we had no dogs, you had them +all.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! you think then that one, two or three dogs would +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</span>have insured the death of all the partridges that passed +under your nose.”</p> + +<p>“No, papa, they would not have killed the partridges, +but they would have sought and brought us those we had +killed, and then—”</p> + +<p>“Those you killed!” interrupted the father, with an +air of astonishment. “Do you really think you have +killed any birds?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, papa, only as we did not see them fall, we +could not pick them up.”</p> + +<p>“And do you suppose you would not have seen them if +they had fallen?”</p> + +<p>“No, papa, for our sight is not as keen as that of the +dogs.”</p> + +<p>At this, the father, the uncles, and even the gamekeepers, +burst into a loud laugh, whilst the children reddened +with vexation.</p> + +<p>“Now listen,” said William and Henry’s father, +“since you lose your game for want of dogs, we are going +to let you have a dog, when we get through breakfast +and commence to gun again.”</p> + +<p>“But, papa,” said William, “the dogs will not follow +us, they do not know us as well as they do you.”</p> + +<p>“To make them follow you, we will give you the two +attendants, and we will not start for a half hour after +you, and then the dogs will not be tempted to rejoin us.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! thanks, papa,” exclaimed William, radiant with +joy. “With the dogs we are sure to kill as many as +you!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</span></p> + +<p>Breakfast over and all rested, the young gunners were +eager to set out with the dogs and the guards.</p> + +<p>“Now we look like real gunners,” said they, with an +air of satisfaction.</p> + +<p>And we tried the field again, I following them as +before breakfast, but always at a little distance. The +guards had been told to keep near the children in order +to prevent any imprudence. The partridges flew up on +all sides as in the morning, the young gentlemen fired as +in the morning, and with like success. Yet the dogs did +their duty, they sought, they stopped the birds, but +brought none, for this reason only, there were none to +bring. At last, Alfred impatient at firing to no purpose +and seeing one of the dogs standing the game, concluded +that he would fire before the partridges had flown up, and +thus secure his prize indeed. He aimed, he fired—the +dog fell, struggling and uttering a piercing howl.</p> + +<p>“Zounds! it is our best dog!” exclaimed the gamekeeper +rushing towards it.</p> + +<p>But the dog was dead ere he reached it, it had been +shot in the head and died almost instantly.</p> + +<p>“You made a fine shot that time, master Alfred,” said +the guard, laying the poor animal down, “I suppose that +ends the gunning.”</p> + +<p>Alfred was motionless with consternation, William and +Henry seemed much affected at the dog’s death, whilst +the gamekeeper concealed his wrath and looked at the +poor creature without saying a word.</p> + +<p>I approached to see which dog had been the miserable +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</span>victim of Alfred’s awkwardness and conceit, and what +was not my sorrow, my anguish, on recognizing Medor, +my friend, my dearest friend! and oh! imagine my horror +to see the guard lift Medor up, and put him in one +of the baskets on my back! Ah! behold the game I +was condemned to carry, Medor, my friend, murdered by +a bad, stupid, conceited boy!</p> + +<p>We returned to the farm not quite so merry as we left, +the children not speaking a word, the guard occasionally +letting fall a furious oath, and I feeling no consolation, +except in the thought of the severe, humiliating reprimand +the murderer would surely receive.</p> + +<p>On reaching the farm we found the papas still there, +for not having their dogs, they preferred to rest till the +children’s return.</p> + +<p>“Already!” they exclaimed at the sight of us.</p> + +<p>“I really believe,” said William’s papa, “they have +killed a big piece of game of some sort. Cadichon walks +as if he had a load, and one of the baskets hangs as if it +contained something heavy.”</p> + +<p>They arose and came towards us, but the children, +with rueful countenances, lagged behind. Their parents +were struck with their demeanor, what could it mean?</p> + +<p>“They certainly have not the air of victors,” said +Alfred’s father, laughing.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they have killed a calf or a sheep, mistaking +it for a rabbit,” answered William’s papa, also laughing.</p> + +<p>The gamekeeper approached.</p> + +<p>“What’s the matter, Michaud? you look as downcast +as the gunners.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</span></p> + +<p>“And with cause, sir, we bring a sad game.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us what it is then, a sheep, a calf, a donkey?”</p> + +<p>“Ah! sir, it is nothing to laugh at, it is your dog, +Medor, the very best of the band, that master Alfred has +killed, taking him for a partridge.”</p> + +<p>“Medor! Oh! the awkward boy! if ever he guns +here again—” exclaimed the poor dog’s master.</p> + +<p>“Come here, Alfred,” said his father, “you see now +the result of your conceit and ridiculous presumption. +Say good-bye to your friends, sir; you are going home +immediately, and you will put your gun away in my +room, to touch it no more until you have learned a little +sense and modesty.”</p> + +<p>“But, papa,” answered Alfred, assuming an air of +indifference, “I don’t know why you should get so angry, +it often happens that the dogs are killed on gunning +parties.”</p> + +<p>“The dogs! the dogs are killed!” exclaimed the stupefied +father, “indeed this is too much! You have beautiful +notions of gunning, sir!”</p> + +<p>“But, papa,” continued Alfred, still apparently indifferent, +“everybody knows that very often the best gunners +kill their dogs accidentally.”</p> + +<p>“My dear friends,” said his father, turning towards +the other gentlemen, “will you excuse me for having +brought such an ill-mannered boy here? I did not +believe him capable of so much stupidity and impudence.”</p> + +<p>Then to his son:</p> + +<p>“You have my orders, sir, go!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</span></p> + +<p>“But, papa—”</p> + +<p>“Silence! I tell you,” answered the father in a tone of +severity, “not one word, if you don’t want to make +acquaintance with my ramrod!”</p> + +<p>Alfred hung his head and went off, covered with confusion.</p> + +<p>“You see, children,” said William and Henry’s +papa to them, “you see the result of presumption; that +is, belief in a merit or quality which one does not possess. +What happened with Alfred, might have happened with +you also. You were all so convinced that nothing was +easier than to be an expert marksman, you had nothing +to do but to take aim, and the game was yours. You +have all three been ridiculous since morning, you have +despised our counsels, our experience, and in fact, you +are all three guilty of poor Medor’s death. I see that +you are both too young for gunning. In a year or two +you may try it again. Meantime, return to your gardens +and other childish amusements, it will be the better +for everyone.”</p> + +<p>William and Henry hung their heads and made no +answer, but sadly returned to the house. My unfortunate +friend Medor, whose history I am going to relate to +you, was buried in the garden by the children themselves, +who wished to perform this last mournful rite for +their pet. After reading the following sketch of his life, +you will see why I loved him so much.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XVI"> + XVI. + <br> + <span class="fs80">MEDOR.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>I <span class="smcap">had</span> known Medor a long time; I was young, and +he still younger, when we became acquainted and formed +mutual and inalterable attachment. I was then living +miserably with those wretched farmers who had bought +me from a dealer in donkeys, and from whom I escaped +so cleverly. I was quite thin, for really they never gave +me enough to eat. Medor (presented to them as a good +watch dog, and afterwards proving himself a superb +hunting dog) fared better than I; he amused the children, +who often gave him bread and scraps of their meals; +moreover, as he acknowledged to me himself, whenever it +was possible, he used to slip into the dairy with the mistress +or servant, where he was always sure to find some +means of lapping a little milk or cream, and seizing the +particles of butter which fell from the churn. Medor +was kind; my lean, miserable appearance excited his +pity, and one day he brought me a piece of bread, presenting +it with a most triumphant air.</p> + +<p>“Eat, my poor friend,” said he, in his language, “I +have bread enough given me for my own sustenance, and +you, you have only thistles and poor grass, and hardly +enough of these to keep you alive.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</span></p> + +<p>“Good Medor,” said I, “I am sure you have deprived +yourself of this for me. I do not suffer so much as you +think, for I am used to meagre fare, little sleep, much +work and hard beatings.”</p> + +<p>“I am not hungry, my friend,” replied Medor, “I assure +you, I am not hungry. Prove your friendship for me by +accepting my little present. It is trifling I know, but I +offer it willingly, and if you persist in refusing, I shall +feel quite grieved.”</p> + +<p>“Then I accept, my kind Medor,” said I, “because I +am fond of you, and I must confess, that I shall relish it +greatly, for I am hungry.”</p> + +<p>And I ate the bread good Medor had brought me, he +keenly enjoying the eagerness with which I crunched and +swallowed it. I felt thoroughly revived by this unaccustomed +repast, and said so to Medor, believing I could +thus best express my gratitude. The result was characteristic +of Medor, every day he brought me the biggest +piece of bread given him. In the evening, he used to +come and lie down beside me under the tree or bush I +had selected for my night’s shelter, and we thus enjoyed +many a pleasant conversation. And no one suspected, +or could have understood, for we conversed without talking. +We other animals, we do not pronounce our words +like men, but we understand one another by winks, +motions of the head, the ears, the tail, and we converse +among ourselves as readily as men.</p> + +<p>One evening Medor came to me quite sad and dejected.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</span></p> + +<p>“My friend,” said he, “I fear I shall no longer be able +to bring you a part of my bread; my masters have decided +that I am big enough to be tied all day, and let loose +only at night. Moreover, my mistress has scolded the +children for giving me so much bread; she has forbidden +them to feed me at all, because she wishes to feed me herself +and that sparely, to make me a good watch dog, she +says.”</p> + +<p>“My kind Medor,” said I, “if it is the thought of my +losing the bread that frets you, compose yourself, I no +longer need it, for this morning I discovered a hole in +the side of the hay rack, from which I have already helped +myself to a little hay, and I find that I can easily do +so every day.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed!” exclaimed Medor, “I am so glad! but yet it +gave me such pleasure to share my bread with you. And +then to be tied all day, and see you only at night, it is +really sad!”</p> + +<p>We conversed a long time and it was very late when +he left me.</p> + +<p>“I shall have time enough to sleep during the day,” +said he, “and you too, as you are not kept very busy +either at this season.”</p> + +<p>All the next day passed indeed without my seeing poor +Medor. Towards evening, I was impatiently awaiting +him, when his cries reached my ears. Running to the +hedge, I saw that wicked woman, the farmer’s wife holding +my kind friend by the skin of his neck, whilst Edward +beat him with a carriage whip. I dashed through a breach +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</span>in the hedge, caught Edward by the arm, and bit him in +such a fashion that the whip fell from his hands. The +wicked woman released her hold on Medor, who escaped; +this was all I wanted, so I let go Edward’s arm, and was +about returning to my enclosure, when I felt myself seized +by the ears. It was the farmer’s wife, who in a rage +called out to Edward:</p> + +<p>“Give me the big whip, till I beat this vicious animal! +There never was a worse donkey in the world! Give it +to me, or whack him yourself!”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image125" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image125.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“I can’t lift my arm,” said Edward in tears, “it is +numb.”</p> + +<p>Seizing the whip that lay on the ground, she ran at me +to avenge her cruel son. I was not fool enough to wait +for her, you may be sure. Just as she had nearly caught +me, I made a leap and left her some distance behind, she +continued to pursue me, and I to escape, taking great +care to keep myself out of reach of the whip. This race +amused me very much; I saw my mistress’s wrath increase +in proportion to her fatigue. I could run and sweat +without doing myself the slightest harm, whilst she, covered +with perspiration, was completely exhausted, without +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</span>having had the pleasure of giving me even one lash +of the whip. My friend was sufficiently avenged when +our promenade ended. I sought him with my eyes +(for I had seen him run towards my enclosure), but in +vain, he was afraid to show himself before the departure +of his cruel mistress.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image126" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image126.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“You wretch!” cried the enraged woman as she turned +to leave, “I will pay you up for all this when I get you +under the saddle!” and she went towards the house, +whilst I remained alone.</p> + +<p>I now ventured to call Medor. He timidly lifted his +head from the hole in which he had sought refuge. I +ran to him.</p> + +<p>“Come,” said I, “she is gone. What did you do? +why did Edward beat you?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</span></p> + +<p>“Because I seized a piece of bread one of the children +had dropped on the ground. She saw me, darted at me, +and calling Edward, told him to beat me unmercifully.”</p> + +<p>“Did no one try to defend you?”</p> + +<p>“Defend me indeed! they all cried out, that’s right! +whip him Edward, so he won’t do it again.” ‘Keep +quiet,’ said Edward, ‘I shall not go half way in the matter, +you’ll hear how I can make him sing.’ And at my +first cry, they all clapped their hands, exclaiming bravo! +bravo!</p> + +<p>“Wicked little creatures!” cried I. “But why did +you take the bread, Medor? Had they not given you +your supper?”</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed, I had already eaten, but the bread in my +soup was in such small pieces, that I could not get any +of it out for you, but, if I could have carried off that big +piece the child dropped, you would have had a delightful +repast.”</p> + +<p>“My poor Medor! and it was for me you were beaten! +Thanks, my friend, thanks; I shall never forget your +kindness! But let me entreat you to not repeat it! Do +you suppose that that bread would have given me any +pleasure, if I had known what risks you ran to get it? +I would rather a hundred times live on thistles, knowing +that you were well treated and happy.”</p> + +<p>We conversed a long time, and I made Medor promise +never again to incur the danger of a beating on my +account; I also promised him that I would play all sorts +of tricks on these people, and I kept my word. One day +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</span>I knocked Edward and his sister into a puddle of water, +and then ran off, leaving them struggling in the mud. +Another time, I ran at the little three year old boy, as +if I were going to bite him, how his screams of terror +rejoiced my heart! Again, pretending to have the colic, +I rolled on the ground with a heavy load of eggs on my +back; every egg was smashed. My mistress, though +furious, did not dare strike me, she believed I was really +sick, that I was going to die, and they would lose all the +money I had cost them, so instead of beating me, she led +me back to the stable, and gave me some hay and bran. +I never played a better trick in my life, and that evening +Medor and I almost hurt ourselves laughing over it. +Another time, seeing all their linen spread out on the +hedge to dry, I took every piece in my teeth, one by one, +and threw it into the barnyard pool. No one had seen +me do this; so when the mistress could not find her linen, +and when, at last after a search in every direction, it was +discovered just where I have told you, she flew into a +terrible rage, and beat the servant, who beat the children, +who beat the cats, the dogs, the calves, the sheep! Oh! +it was a charming uproar to me, every body screamed +and was furious. Medor and I certainly passed a gay +evening.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image129" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image129.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + She flew into a terrible rage.—(Page <a href="#Page_128">128</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>In my subsequent reflexions upon these wicked deeds, +I have sincerely reproached myself, for I revenged upon +the innocent the faults of the guilty. Medor sometimes +censured me and advised moderation, but no, I would not +listen, every day I got worse and worse, only however to +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_129"></a><a id="Page_130"></a><a id="Page_131"></a>[Pg 131]</span>suffer for it, my evil conduct bringing its own punishment +as you will learn hereafter.</p> + +<p>One day (and a sad day it was for me,) a gentleman +who was passing took a fancy to Medor and offered the +farmer a hundred francs for him. The farmer, believing +him a dog of very little account, was delighted, and my +poor friend with a rope around his neck, disappeared +with his new master. He cast a sorrowful glance at me, +and in vain did I run from one side of the hedge to the +other seeking a passage, every breach was closed, and I +had not even the consolation of bidding my dear Medor +farewell. From that day, life there was almost insupportable. +Medor’s departure was just before the little +episode of market day, and my subsequent flight into the +forest of St. Evroult, which I have already related. +During the years that followed, I often, very often +thought of my friend, and the pleasure it would be to see +him again, but where seek him? for I knew his new +master did not live in that part of the country, but was +only there on a visit to some friends.</p> + +<p>Judge of my happiness, some time after little James +had brought me to your grandmother’s, at seeing arrive +with your uncle and cousins William and Henry, my +friend, my dear friend Medor! He recognized me at +once, and covered me with caresses, I responding to them, +and following him everywhere. Our cordiality excited +great surprise, but all attributed it to Medor’s delight at +being in the country, and mine in finding a companion +for my promenades. If they had been able to understand +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</span>our long conversation they would have known the +cause of our mutual affection.</p> + +<p>Medor was much pleased at all I told him of my +present calm and peaceful life, of my master’s kindness, +of my excellent and even glorious reputation throughout +this part of the country. He sympathized with me in +the recital of my pitiful adventures, and he laughed, +though blaming me, at the tricks I had played on the +farmer who bought me from George’s father. He actually +was puffed up with pride when I told him of my victory +at the race; he deplored the ingratitude of poor Pauline’s +parents, and shed tears over the sad fate of that unhappy +child.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XVII"> + XVII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> day Medor strayed off from the house where he +had been born, and had always lived quite comfortably. +He was in pursuit of a cat that had stolen a piece of +meat given him by the cook, who thought it a little +tainted. Medor, not being so delicate, had just put it +down by his kennel, when a cat concealed near by, darted +at the meat and carried it off, much to my friend’s indignation, +as he was not often regaled on such luxuries. He +pursued the thief with all the speed of his limbs, and +would soon have caught her, if, wicked cat that she was, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</span>she had not bethought herself of climbing a tree. Medor, +of course could not follow, and he was tantalized with +seeing her devour before his eyes, the delicious morsel of +which she had robbed him. Justly irritated at such +effrontery, he remained at the foot of the tree, barking, +growling and uttering a thousand reproaches. This +attracted the attention of some children just out of +school, and they united with Medor in annoying her. +They even attacked her with stones until at last it was a +veritable shower. The cat climbed higher, and tried to +conceal herself in the thickest foliage. But this did not +stop them, the shower of stones continued, accompanied +by loud hurrahs, whenever a plaintiff mewing informed +her persecutors that she had been hit.</p> + +<p>Medor began to weary of this game; the enemy’s +touching cries had appeased his wrath and he feared that +the children were too cruel. To end their sport he commenced +to bark at them, and pull them by the blouse, +but it had no effect, save that of causing a few stones to +be directed against himself. At last, a hoarse, horrible +cry, followed by a rustling among the branches, announced +their success, the poor cat was grievously +wounded, and had fallen from the tree. One minute +after, she was not only wounded, but dead, her head having +been crushed by a stone. This was a source of rejoicing +to the mischievous children, who ought to have wept +over their cruelty. As for Medor, he regarded his enemy +with compassion, and the boys with an air of keen +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</span>reproach. Just as he was about to return to the house, +one of them exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Oh! let us give him a bath in the river, it would be so +amusing!”</p> + +<p>“Yes indeed, what a splendid idea,” cried the others, +“catch him, Frederick, there he goes!”</p> + +<p>Behold Medor pursued by the cruel rascals, he and +they running at full speed. Unfortunately, there were +about a dozen of them scattered around, which obliged +him always to run straight ahead, for if he deviated in +the least, to the right or left, he could be surrounded and +his flight retarded instead of hastened. At that time he +was very young, not more than four months old; he +could run neither very swiftly, nor any great distance +without stopping, consequently his pursuers captured +him. One seized him around the body, one by the tail, +another by the paw, the neck, the ears, the back, they +pulled him this way and that, to amuse themselves with +his cries. At last, putting a cord around his neck almost +tight enough to strangle him, they forced him by dint of +kicks to the river.</p> + +<p>Two of them were about to remove the cord, and +plunge him in, when the biggest boy exclaimed:</p> + +<p>“Wait, let’s tie two bladders to his neck, and make +him swim; we can push him to the mill, and make him +pass under the wheel.”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image135" style="max-width: 36.0em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image135.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + They beat the boys—(Page <a href="#Page_137">137</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Vainly did poor Medor struggle; what could he do +against a dozen little scamps, the youngest of them, at +least, in his seventh year? Andrew the most cruel of the +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_135"></a><a id="Page_136"></a><a id="Page_137"></a>[Pg 137]</span>band, tied the two bladders around his neck, and then +launched him into the very middle of the stream. My +persecuted friend, impelled by the current, and still more +vigorously by the poles in his tormentors’ hands, reached +the place where the water precipitates itself under the +mill wheel. Once under the wheel, he would certainly +be ground to pieces.</p> + +<p>The workmen returned from their dinner, and one of +them hastened to raise the barrier restraining the water. +Perceiving Medor, he said:</p> + +<p>“Another of your cruel tricks,” you rascals; said he looking +at the boys who waited in delightful anticipation of +seeing Medor drawn under the wheel. “Friends,” he +added, speaking to his fellow workmen, “come here and +help punish these bad boys, who have been amusing +themselves trying to drown a poor dog.”</p> + +<p>His comrades ran, and whilst he saved Medor by pushing +a plank towards the poor creature for him to climb +upon, the others gave chase to the boys, caught every one, +and whipped them well, some with ropes, some with +whips, some with sticks. The cries of the chastised +children resounded far and near, for the workmen did +not strike lightly. At last the job was finished, and +Medor’s persecutors retreated, crying, sobbing and rubbing +their smarting skins.</p> + +<p>The strangling cord around Medor’s neck was cut, and +he was put out in the sun to dry upon some hay. He +was soon dry, and ready to go home, but when the blacksmith +led him back, the people there said they did not +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</span>want him, they had too many dogs already, and they +would throw him in the water with a stone to his neck, +if he were left. The blacksmith was a kind man, and +pitying Medor, took him to his own house. But at sight +of the dog his wife got angry, her husband would ruin +them, she said, they had not the wherewith to feed a +worthless cur, and, besides, there was a tax upon dogs.</p> + +<p>Her opposition was so determined and so violent that +her husband for peace sake got rid of Medor, by giving +him to the cruel farmer with whom I then lived, and who +had been wanting a watch dog.</p> + +<p>You now know how Medor and I became acquainted, +and also, why we were so fondly attached to each other.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XVIII"> + XVIII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE BAPTISM.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">William</span> and Maud were to stand sponsors for a new +born child, whose mother had been Maud’s nurse. Maud +wanted them to call the baby after her.</p> + +<p>“Not at all,” said William, “since I am godfather, I +have the right to name her, and I wish to call her Pierrette.”</p> + +<p>“Pierrette!” exclaimed Maud, “that’s a frightful +name! I don’t want her named Pierrette, she shall be +called Maud; as I am the godmother, I am the one who +has the right to name her.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</span></p> + +<p>“No, you haven’t, the godfather has the best right, and +I shall call her Pierrette.”</p> + +<p>“If she is to be named that, I won’t be godmother.”</p> + +<p>“If she is to be named Maud, I won’t be godfather.”</p> + +<p>“Just as you please about that, I can ask papa to take +your place.”</p> + +<p>“And I, Miss, can ask mamma to take your place.”</p> + +<p>“Besides, I am quite sure aunt would not like her +called Pierrette, it is too frightful and ridiculous.”</p> + +<p>“And I am sure uncle would not like her called Maud, +it is too horrible and stupid.”</p> + +<p>“How did he happen to call me Maud then? Go to +him and tell him you think it is a horrible, stupid name, +go, my good man, and you will see how you will be +received!”</p> + +<p>“Well, you may say what you please, but I say I will +not be godfather for any Maud.”</p> + +<p>“Papa,” said Maud mischievously, running to her +father, “will you stand godfather with me for little +Maud?”</p> + +<p>“What Maud, dear pet? I know no Maud but you.”</p> + +<p>“My little godchild, papa, that I want called Maud +when she is baptized to-day.”</p> + +<p>“But William is to stand with you, and there cannot +be two godfathers.”</p> + +<p>“Papa, William does not wish to be godfather.”</p> + +<p>“Why? what is the meaning of this whim?”</p> + +<p>“Because he thinks Maud a horrible stupid name, and +wants to call her Pierrette.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</span></p> + +<p>“Pierrette! that would be horrible and stupid indeed!”</p> + +<p>“It is just what I told him papa, but he would not +believe me.”</p> + +<p>“Listen, my daughter, try to reason with your cousin, +and if he insists upon not being godfather unless the +baby is named Pierrette, I will cheerfully stand in place +of him.”</p> + +<p>During Maud’s conversation with her father, William +had run to his mother.</p> + +<p>“Mamma,” said he, “will you stand godmother with +me in Maud’s place, for the little girl that is to be baptized +to-day.”</p> + +<p>“Why is not Maud going to stand? it was a request of +the baby’s mother that she would.”</p> + +<p>“Mamma, Maud wants the baby named after her, I +think her name too ugly, and as I am godfather, I want +the baby called Pierrette.”</p> + +<p>“Pierrette! that is frightful, William is pretty, but +Pierrette is ridiculous!”</p> + +<p>“Oh! mamma, please call her Pierrette—At any rate, +I don’t want her called Maud.”</p> + +<p>“But if neither of you will give up, how will you fix +matters?”</p> + +<p>“Mamma, that is why I came to ask you to stand for +little Pierrette in place of Maud?”</p> + +<p>“My poor William, I must tell you frankly, that I +want no more of this Pierrette, the name is too ridiculous, +besides, the child’s mother was Maud’s nurse, not +yours, and you know very well, that she desires most +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</span>particularly to have Maud for godmother. For my part, +I think she would be pleased to have the baby called +Maud.”</p> + +<p>“Then, I can’t be godfather.”</p> + +<p>At this instant Maud ran up, exclaiming:</p> + +<p>“Well, William, have you decided? We start in an +hour, and must have a godfather.”</p> + +<p>“I am willing for her not to be called Pierrette, but +I am not willing for her to be called Maud.”</p> + +<p>“Well, since you have given up Pierrette, I will give +up Maud. But let us ask nurse what name she wants +baby called.”</p> + +<p>“You are right; go ask her.”</p> + +<p>Maud went running off to the baby’s mother and soon +came back.</p> + +<p>“William, William,” she exclaimed, “nurse wants her +little daughter named Marie Maud.”</p> + +<p>“Did you inquire if she ought not to be called Pierrette, +as I am godfather?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, I asked her, and she burst out laughing; +mamma laughed too; they both said it was impossible, +Pierrette was too ugly.”</p> + +<p>William blushed slightly, however, as he himself had +began to think Pierrette ridiculous, he sighed and said +nothing more on that subject.</p> + +<p>“Where are the sugar plums?” he asked.</p> + +<p>“In a big basket that will be taken to the church, the +boxes and wrappings are left here. They are all ready, +let us see how many there are.” And they ran to the +hall where everything was in readiness.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</span></p> + +<p>“What are these pennies for?” inquired William, +“there seem to be nearly as many as sugar plums.”</p> + +<p>“They are to be thrown to the school children,” said +Maud.</p> + +<p>“The school children? Are we going to the school +after the baptism?”</p> + +<p>“No, we are to throw these from the church door, +where all the school children collect on such occasions; +we throw them by the handful, and the children catch +them or pick them up from the ground.”</p> + +<p>“Did you ever see it done?”</p> + +<p>“Never, but I have heard that it is very amusing.”</p> + +<p>“I do not think I would like it, for I know very well +the children fight and get hurt; besides I do not like +the idea of flinging things to children as if they were +dogs.”</p> + +<p>“Maud, William, come see the baby, it has just arrived; +we start shortly,” cried Beatrice, out of breath.</p> + +<p>Both of them ran, trying to reach the baby first.</p> + +<p>“Oh! how fine our godchild is!” said William.</p> + +<p>“Yes, indeed,” replied Maud, “she has a dress embroidered +all around, a lace bonnet, and a cloak lined with +pink silk.”</p> + +<p>“Did you give her all those pretty things?”</p> + +<p>“Oh! no, I had not enough money; mamma paid for +everything except the bonnet and I paid for it.”</p> + +<p>All was ready; though the weather was fine the carriage +was brought out for the baby and its nurse, and +the sponsors only. Maud and William were in the carriage +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</span>like important personages. They started. I, harnessed +to the children’s little conveyance waited for +them. Louis, Helen, James and Ruth took the back +seats, Beatrice and Elizabeth the front to drive, whilst +Henry climbed behind. The mammas, papas and nurses +started at different intervals, so that some of them +might be near us in case of accident; but this was only +an excess of prudence, for with me they knew there was +nothing to fear.</p> + +<p>I set off in a gallop, notwithstanding my load, self-love +excited me to overtake and even pass the carriage. +I went like the wind and the children were enchanted.</p> + +<p>“Bravo!” they cried. “Courage, Cadichon, keep on +galloping! Hurrah for Cadichon, the king of donkeys!”</p> + +<p>They clapped their hands and applauded.</p> + +<p>“Bravo!” cried people whom I passed on the road. +“Look at that donkey, he runs like a horse! Good luck +and no upsets!”</p> + +<p>The papas and mammas trudging along, were not so +encouraging however, but wanted me to relax my speed, +instead of which, I only galloped the faster. I was not +very long in overtaking the carriage, and triumphantly +did I dash past the horses, they looked at me with surprise. +Feeling mortified at being overtaken by a donkey, especially +as they had started first, they attempted a gallop, +but the driver tightened his reins, and obliged them to +relax their speed, whilst I hurried on faster than ever, so +that when they reached the church door, my little masters +and mistresses had all descended from the vehicle, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</span>whilst I, very warm and out of breath, was standing +quietly hitched near the hedge for shade.</p> + +<p>The parents on arriving, admired my swiftness, and +complimented the children on their equipage.</p> + +<p>The fact is we made quite a sensation, my carriage and +I, I being well rubbed and curried, and decorated with +variegated dahlias of red and white behind my ears, the +harness polished and embellished with red mountings, +and the vehicle repaired and varnished. We certainly +presented a dashing appearance.</p> + +<p>Through the open window, I witnessed the baptismal +ceremony, the infant screamed as if it were being murdered, +Maud and William, somewhat embarrassed at +their honors, got confused in repeating the Creed, and +the priest was obliged to prompt them. Poor little godfather +and godmother, their eyes were suffused with tears, +and their faces as red as cherries! However, their mistake +was no unusual occurrence, and often happens with +grown people.</p> + +<p>Little Marie Maud being baptized, they went out of +the church to throw sugar plums and pennies to the +children collected around the door. As soon as the godfather +and godmother appeared, all exclaimed; “Hurrah +for the godmother! hurrah for the godfather!”</p> + +<p>The basket of sugar plums was ready, it was handed +Maud, whilst William received the basket of pennies. +Taking a handful of the former, Maud let them fall in a +shower among the children. This was the signal for a +general battle, a faithful representation of starving dogs.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</span></p> + +<p>All rushed to the same spot, disputing every handful, +both of sugar plums and pennies, as it was thrown; they +tore one another’s hair, they struggled, they rolled over +on the ground, and half the coveted articles were lost, +crushed under foot or hidden in the grass. William did +not laugh; nor Maud, after the first handful, for she saw +that these battles were serious. For several of the children +were crying, and others were badly scratched.</p> + +<p>“You were right, William,” said she, as soon as they +took their seats in the carriage, “the next time I am godmother, +I shall give the children sugar plums, not throw +them.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I, the pennies,” said William, “I shall give them +like you do the sugar plums.”</p> + +<p>The carriage started off, and I did not hear the rest of +their conversation.</p> + +<p>My party now began to crowd in their vehicle, accompanied +by the papas and mammas.</p> + +<p>“Cadichon,” said Maud’s mamma, “has already produced +a sensation, so now he can afford to return more +quietly and take us with him.”</p> + +<p>“Mamma,” said Beatrice, “do you like this custom of +throwing the children sugar plums and pennies?”</p> + +<p>“No, dear child, I find it a very ignoble custom, the +children reminding one of dogs fighting for a bone. If +ever I am godmother in this part of the country, I shall +distribute the sugar plums among the children, instead of +throwing them, and I shall give to the poor, the amount +of money wasted in pennies flung at random.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</span></p> + +<p>“You are right, mamma; please let me be godmother +to do as you say.”</p> + +<p>“As an absolute necessity for your fulfilling that office, +we must have a baby to be baptized,” said the mamma, +smiling, “and I know of none.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, how provoking! I could be godmother with +Henry. What would you call your godson, Henry.”</p> + +<p>“Henry, of course, what would you call him?”</p> + +<p>“Madelon.”</p> + +<p>“Oh horror! Madelon! In the first place it is not a +name.”</p> + +<p>“It is as much of a name as Pierrette.”</p> + +<p>“Pierrette is prettier, and besides you see that William +yielded.”</p> + +<p>“I could give up too,” replied Beatrice, “but we have +time enough to think of it.”</p> + +<p>We reached the castle, all got out of the carriage and +hastened to lay aside their holiday attire; my trinkets +and dahlias were also taken off and I was turned out to +pasture, whilst the children ate their lunch.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XIX"> + XIX. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE LEARNED DONKEY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">One</span> day I saw the children run into the meadow +where I was quietly grazing very near the castle. Louis +and James were playing around me, finding amusement +in getting on my back. They thought themselves as +nimble as gymnasts, whilst they were, in reality, I must +confess, somewhat clumsy, little James especially, who +was plump, chunkier than his cousin. Louis at last, +by holding on to my tail, managed to climb (he called it +jumping) up on my back. James made prodigious efforts +to follow his example, but the poor little fat fellow slipped, +fell and got out of breath, and it was very evident +that he could not succeed without the assistance of his +cousin somewhat older than himself. To spare them so +much fatigue, I went towards a piece of rising ground. +Louis had already shown his agility, and James had just +succeeded with a great effort in seating himself, when we +heard the whole joyous band crying out: “James, +Louis, we are going to the fair day after to-morrow, to +see the learned donkey!”</p> + +<p>“The learned donkey? what is that?” inquired James.</p> + +<p>“A donkey,” replied Elizabeth, “that plays all manner +of tricks.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</span></p> + +<p>“What tricks?”</p> + +<p>“Well tricks—tricks of—tricks I mean,” said Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“He can’t beat Cadichon, I know.”</p> + +<p>“Pshaw! Cadichon!”, said Henry, “Cadichon is a +very fine animal and very intelligent of his kind, but he +is nothing in comparison with the learned donkey at +the fair!”</p> + +<p>“I am very sure,” answered Maud, “that if Cadichon +were shown these tricks he could do them.”</p> + +<p>“Let us see what this learned donkey does, and then +we can judge better as to whether he is more learned +than our Cadichon,” said William.</p> + +<p>“William is right,” replied Maud, “let us wait till +after the fair.”</p> + +<p>“And what will we do after the fair?” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“We will dispute,” replied Beatrice laughing. James +and Louis after whispering a few words to each other, +had kept silence until the rest went away. When assured +that these were out of sight and hearing, they commenced +to dance around me, laughing and singing:</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">“Cadichon, Cadichon,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">To the fair you will go,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And the learned donkey show</div> + <div class="verse indent1">That as smart as he may be,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">You are smarter still than he;</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Every one will honor you,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Every one will praise you too,</div> + <div class="verse indent1">And we shall be proud, so do</div> + <div class="verse indent1">Your best, Cadichon, Cadichon.”</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</span></p> + +<p>“What we are singing is very pretty,” said James, +stopping suddenly.</p> + +<p>“That is because they are rhymes,” answered Louis. +“I really think they are pretty.”</p> + +<p>“Rhymes? I thought it was very difficult to make +rhymes.”</p> + +<div class="poetry-container"> + <div class="poetry"> + <div class="stanza"> + <div class="verse indent0">Very easy as you see,</div> + <div class="verse indent0">Though difficult apparently.</div> + </div> + </div> +</div> + +<p>“There are some more.”</p> + +<p>“Let us run and say them to our cousins.”</p> + +<p>“No, no, if they heard our verses, they would guess +what we are going to do; we must take them by surprise +at the fair.”</p> + +<p>“But do you believe papa and uncle will let us take +Cadichon to the fair?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, when we tell them in confidence, we want +him to see the learned donkey.”</p> + +<p>“Let us run quick to ask them.”</p> + +<p>They were running at full speed towards the house +just as the papas were coming to the meadow to see what +the children were doing. “Papa, papa!” cried they, +“come quick; we have something to ask you.”</p> + +<p>“Speak children, what is it?”</p> + +<p>“Not here, papa, not here,” was the mysterious answer, +each one drawing his father aside.</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?” said Louis’s papa, laughing. +“Into what conspiracy do you wish to drag me?”</p> + +<p>“Sh sh, papa, here is what it is: you know that day +after to-morrow there will be a learned donkey at the fair.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</span></p> + +<p>“No, I did not know it, but what have we to do with +learned donkeys, we, who have Cadichon?”</p> + +<p>“That is precisely what we say, papa, that Cadichon +is smarter than any of them. My sisters and cousins are +going to the fair to see this educated donkey, and we +would like very much to take Cadichon, so that he may +see what this donkey does and imitate him.”</p> + +<p>“What?” said James’s papa, “would you put Cadichon +in the crowd to look at the donkey?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, papa, instead of going in the carriage, we can +ride Cadichon, and get very near the circle in which the +learned donkey plays his tricks.”</p> + +<p>“I would not ask anything better myself, but I do not +believe Cadichon could learn much in one lesson.”</p> + +<p>“Can’t you, Cadichon, do as many smart tricks as that +silly, educated donkey?”</p> + +<p>In addressing this question, James looked at me so +anxiously, that to reassure him, I began braying, laughing +all the while at his fears.</p> + +<p>“Do you hear that, papa,” said James triumphantly, +“Cadichon says yes.”</p> + +<p>The two papas laughed, caressed their little boys, and +turned away, promising not only that I should go to the +fair, but that they would accompany us there.</p> + +<p>“Ah!” said I to myself, “they doubt my capacity! +It is astonishing how much more intelligent these children +are than their fathers.”</p> + +<p>The great day arrived. One hour before our departure, +my toilet was made, and Louis and James having +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</span>curried and rubbed me to the verge of vexation; after +which, they decorated me with a perfectly new bridle +and saddle, and then announced their readiness to start, +as they wished to set out a little in advance, for fear of +being late.</p> + +<p>“Why do you wish to go so early?” asked Henry, +“and how are you going?”</p> + +<p>“We are going on Cadichon, and want to start early, +because we can’t go fast,” said Louis.</p> + +<p>“Are you two going alone?” inquired Henry.</p> + +<p>“No, papa and uncle will accompany us.”</p> + +<p>“It will certainly be tiresome, if you are going at a +gait to suit their walk.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! we never find it tiresome in our papa’s company.”</p> + +<p>“I prefer going in the carriage, we will get there long +before you.”</p> + +<p>“No, you will not, for we will start so much sooner.”</p> + +<p>As they finished speaking, I was led out all saddled +and decorated—the fathers were ready; they put their +little boys on my back, and I started very slowly, so as +not to make their fathers run.</p> + +<p>In an hour we reached the fair ground, where we +found many persons already collected around the rope +marking out a circle, within which the educated donkey +was to display his ability. The fathers of the two little +boys I had brought, stationed us very near the rope, and +my other masters and mistresses soon rejoined us.</p> + +<p>The sound of a drum was the signal for my learned +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</span>friend’s appearance. All eyes were fixed upon the curtain, +which rose at last, and he came forth, a thin, sad, +miserable looking creature. His master called him; he +approached, but with an air of fear, and I saw at once +that the poor thing’s learning had been instilled by hard +beatings.</p> + +<p>“Gentlemen and ladies,” said the master, “I have the +honor of presenting to you Mirliflore, the prince of donkeys. +He is not like the rest of his race, he is a learned +donkey, more learned indeed than many of us, he is the +donkey par excellence, and without an equal. Come, +Mirliflore, show what you can do, but first salute these +gentlemen and ladies like a well raised donkey.”</p> + +<p>This discourse touched my pride, and made me very +angry; I resolved to be revenged before the end of the +exhibition.</p> + +<p>Mirliflore advancing three steps, made an inclination +of his head with a melancholy air.</p> + +<p>“Go, Mirliflore, go give this bouquet to the prettiest +lady here.”</p> + +<p>I laughed at seeing every hand half extended to +receive the bouquet. Mirliflore went all around the circle, +and stopping before a fat, ugly woman that I afterwards +learned was the master’s wife, and who held a +little sugar in her hand, lay down his flowers.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image153" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image153.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “Mirliflore, the prince of donkeys.”—(Page <a href="#Page_152">152</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>This want of taste enraged me; leaping over the rope +to the great surprise of every one present, and making a +graceful salutation, to those on my right, my left, before +and behind me, I walked resolutely up to the fat woman, +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_153"></a><a id="Page_154"></a><a id="Page_155"></a>[Pg 155]</span>snatched the bouquet from her hands, and laid it on +Maud’s lap. I then returned to my place, amidst the +plaudits of the multitude. Every one inquired the +meaning of this apparition; some believed it was all +arranged beforehand, and that there were two learned +donkeys; whilst others who had seen me with my little +masters recognizing me, were delighted at my intelligence.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image155" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image155.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Mirliflore’s master seemed quite vexed, but the animal +himself appeared so indifferent to my triumph, that I +began to believe him really stupid, which is a quality +very rare among us donkeys. When silence was re-established, +the master called Mirliflore out again.</p> + +<p>“Come Mirliflore, show these gentlemen and ladies +that you not only know how to distinguish beauty, but +likewise stupidity; take this cap and put it on the most +stupid person here.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</span></p> + +<p>Saying this, he gave Mirliflore a magnificent dunce-cap, +ornamented with bells and variegated ribbons. Mirliflore, +taking it between his teeth, went towards a fat, +red faced boy, who inclined his head in advance to receive +it. From his resemblance to the fat woman, so falsely +declared the most beautiful person present, it was easy to +recognize this boy as her son, and the master’s assistant.</p> + +<p>“Now,” thought I, “is the moment to revenge this +fool’s insulting words!”</p> + +<p>And before anyone could think of preventing me, I +again darted into the arena, ran to my comrade, snatched +the dunce-cap from him at the moment he was about to +place it on the fat boy’s head, and ere the master had +time to defend himself, rushing at him, at putting my +fore feet upon his shoulders, I tried to place the cap upon +his head. He repulsed me violently, and grew furious, +as peals of laughter and applause resounded on all sides.</p> + +<p>“Bravo donkey!” they cried, “this one is the real +learned donkey.”</p> + +<p>Emboldened by the applause of the multitude, I made +a new effort to fit the cap; as he recoiled I advanced, +and we finished by a flying race, the man running at full +speed, I after him, not getting near enough to him to +ornament him with the cap, and not wishing to do +him any harm. At last I jumped behind him, and +placing my fore feet upon his shoulders, let him feel +my weight; he fell and I profited by it, to bury his head +up to his very chin in the dunce’s cap. I retired immediately; +the man arose, but being somewhat confused and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</span>stunned by the fall, and unable to see clearly, he began +to turn and jump. And I to complete the farce pretended +to do the same, interrupting this burlesque imitation, +by approaching him and braying in his ear, then +standing on my hind feet, jumping like him, sometimes +to one side, some times before him.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image157" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image157.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>To depict the laughter, the bravos, the joyful stamping +of feet, would be an impossibility. Never had a +donkey in the world such success, such a triumph! The +ring was invaded by hundreds of persons wishing to +touch, to caress, to approach me. Those who knew me +were proud of what I had done, and told my name to +those not acquainted with me. Numberless anecdotes, +both true and false, were related, in which I played a +magnificent part. One time, said my admirers, I had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</span>extinguished a fire, working a pump all alone; I had +ascended to the third story, opened my mistress’s door, +seized her asleep in bed, and all hope of escape by the +stairs being cut off, I had jumped from the third story, +having first carefully placed my mistress on my back—that +neither she nor I had been hurt, because her guardian +angel had sustained us in the air and we had gently +descended to the ground. Another time, unassisted, I +had killed fifty brigands, strangling them one by one with +a single bite, so that none awakened to alarm the rest. +I had afterwards liberated one hundred and fifty prisoners +these robbers had kept chained in the caves for the +sake of their services, making the poor creatures work to +feed and enrich their masters. Again, at a race, I had +beaten the best horses in the country, and finally, in five +hours, I had made twenty-five leagues without stopping.</p> + +<p>The admiration for me increased in proportion to the +circulation of these stories. I was surrounded, almost +smothered, and the soldiers were obliged to drive off the +crowd. Happily, the parents of James, Louis, and all +my other masters had led their children away, whilst the +crowd collected around me. I had much difficulty in +escaping from my admirers, who wished to carry me in +triumph—even the assistance of the soldiers was not sufficient +to prevent such an honor, and I, in order to force +my way through the crowd, was obliged to give a few +bites, and attempted kicks, taking care, however, to hurt +no one.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image159" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image159.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + The soldiers were obliged to drive off the crowd.—(Page <a href="#Page_158">158</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Once rid of the crowd, I sought Louis and James, but +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_159"></a><a id="Page_160"></a><a id="Page_161"></a>[Pg 161]</span>in vain. Not wishing my dear little masters to return +home on foot, I ran to the stable where our horses were +always kept to see if they were still there, and, not finding +them, I knew Louis and James had gone. Then, +taking the road to the castle, and running at full speed, +I soon caught up with the two carriages packed with +parents and children to the number of fifteen.</p> + +<p>“Cadichon! there is Cadichon!” exclaimed all the +children when they saw me.</p> + +<p>The carriages were stopped; James and Louis asked +permission to get out, as they wished to compliment and +caress me, and return home on foot. Their example was +followed by Ruth and Helen, then by William and Henry, +and at last by Elizabeth, Beatrice and Maud.</p> + +<p>“So you see,” said Louis and James, “we knew Cadichon +better than you! How he did distinguish himself! +He easily understood all the tricks of that stupid Mirliflore +and his foolish master.”</p> + +<p>“So he did,” answered William, “but I would like very +much to know why he insisted upon putting that dunce-cap +on the master. Was it because he thought the master +a fool, and knew that the donkey’s ears (the dunce-cap +was fashioned in that style) were a mark of imbecility?”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, he understood it,” spoke Maud; “he is +smart enough for that.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! ah! You say that because he gave you +the bouquet as the prettiest person present.”</p> + +<p>“Not at all; I did not think myself the prettiest, and, +since you speak of it, let me tell you that I was astonished, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</span>and wished very much he had given the bouquet to +mamma, for she was the prettiest person there.”</p> + +<p>“You represented her,” said William, “and I believe +that, leaving aunt aside, Cadichon’s choice could not have +been better.”</p> + +<p>“And I then, am I so ugly?” asked Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“Certainly not, but each one to his taste, and Cadichon’s +taste selected Maud,” replied William.</p> + +<p>“Instead of discussing beauties and frights,” said +Elizabeth, “we ought to inquire of Cadichon how he +could understand so well what this man said.”</p> + +<p>“What a pity Cadichon cannot speak! how much he +could tell!” replied Helen.</p> + +<p>“Who knows but what he does understand?” said +Elizabeth. “I myself have read the ‘Recollections of a +Doll,’ and does a doll appear to see and understand? +That doll wrote about all she heard and saw.”</p> + +<p>“And do you really believe that?” asked Henry.</p> + +<p>“Certainly I believe it,” replied Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“How could the doll write?”</p> + +<p>“She wrote at night, with a tiny pen made of a humming +bird’s feather, and hid her ‘Recollections’ under her +head.”</p> + +<p>“Don’t believe such nonsense, my poor Elizabeth,” +said Beatrice. “It was a lady who wrote those ‘Recollections +of a Doll,’ and to make the book more amusing, +she pretended to be the doll and to write as if she were +one.”</p> + +<p>“Do you think, then, it was not a real doll that wrote +them?” asked Elizabeth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</span></p> + +<p>“Certainly it was not,” replied Maud. “How do you +suppose a lifeless doll, made of wood or stuffed with bran +could reflect, see, hear and write?”</p> + +<p>Talking thus, they reached the castle. Running +immediately to their grandmother, who had remained at +home, they recounted all my doings and how I had +astonished and delighted every one.</p> + +<p>“He is truly wonderful, this Cadichon,” said she, +coming to caress me. “I have known intelligent +donkeys, far more sagacious than other animals, but +never did I see one like Cadichon! I must confess, we +are very unjust to donkeys.”</p> + +<p>I turned towards her with a look of gratitude.</p> + +<p>“One would really suppose he understood me,” she +continued. “My poor Cadichon, rest assured you shall +never be sold whilst I live, and you shall be as well +taken care of as if you understood everything that was +going on around you.”</p> + +<p>I sighed at thought of my old mistress’s age, for she +was fifty-nine, and I not more than nine or ten.</p> + +<p>“My dear little masters,” thought I, “when your +grandmother dies do not sell me, I entreat you, but keep +me and let me die in your service.”</p> + +<p>As to the learned donkey’s unfortunate master; I afterwards +repented bitterly of the trick I had played upon +him, and you will see the sad consequences of my desire +to display my intelligence.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XX"> + XX. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE FROG.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">The</span> wicked boy who killed my friend, Medor, had at +last (by dint of coaxing probably,) obtained pardon and +permission to visit again at your grandmother’s. I could +not bear him, you may well imagine, and I sought every +opportunity of playing some ugly trick upon him, for I +lacked charity and had not yet learned to forgive.</p> + +<p>This Alfred was a coward, but always boasting of his +courage. One day, when his father had brought him to +your grandmother’s on a visit, the other children proposed +a stroll in the woods. Maud, who ran ahead suddenly +jumped aside screaming.</p> + +<p>“What is the matter?” said William, running to her +assistance.</p> + +<p>“I was frightened at a frog that jumped on my foot.”</p> + +<p>“Is it possible that you are afraid of frogs, Maud? +For my part,” said Alfred, “I am afraid of nothing, of +no animal.”</p> + +<p>“Why then,” retorted Maud, “did you jump so high +the other day, when I told you there was a spider on your +arm?”</p> + +<p>“Because I did not understand what you said to me.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</span></p> + +<p>“Did not understand? It was very easily understood.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly it was, if I had heard aright, but I thought +you said, ‘look at that spider down there,’ and I jumped +aside only to see it better.”</p> + +<p>“The idea!” chimed in William, “that is not so, for +as you jumped, you cried, ‘Oh, William, take it off, +please!’”</p> + +<p>“I meant to say, ‘take it off, so I can see it better.’”</p> + +<p>“He is telling a story,” whispered Beatrice to Maud.</p> + +<p>“So I perceive,” was Maud’s low response.</p> + +<p>I was listening to the conversation and profited by it, +as you will see. The children were seated upon the +grass, and I was near, having followed them. Perceiving +a little green frog very near Alfred’s open pocket, +my plan was quickly formed and easily executed. +Approaching noiselessly, I seized the frog by one leg, +and slyly dropped it into the little boaster’s pocket, +quietly withdrawing as soon as the deed was done, so +that Alfred might not suspect me of having made him +this beautiful present.</p> + +<p>I could not hear distinctly all the conversation, but I +distinguished this much, that Alfred continued to boast +of his courage, he was afraid of no creature, not even of +lions, at which the rest uttered an exclamation of incredulity. +Just at this moment Alfred wished to blow his +nose. Running his hand into his pocket, he withdrew it +with a cry of terror, and rising precipitately, screamed +aloud:</p> + +<p>“Take it out! take it out! Oh! I beg you to take it +out! I am so afraid! Help! help!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</span></p> + +<p>“What is the matter, Alfred?” said Maud, half laughing, +half frightened.</p> + +<p>“An animal! an animal! Take it out, I beg you!”</p> + +<p>“What animal do you mean, and where is it?” said +William.</p> + +<p>“In my pocket! I felt it, I touched it! Oh! take it +out, take it away! I am afraid of it, I dare not touch it!”</p> + +<p>“Do it yourself, you coward!” replied Henry, indignantly.</p> + +<p>“Well, just listen,” said Elizabeth, “he is afraid of +something in his pocket, and wants us to take it out, +because he dares not touch it!”</p> + +<p>After their first fright, the children were greatly +amused at Alfred’s contortions, who knew not how to +rid himself of the creature he felt wriggling about in +his pocket. His terror increased with every movement +of the frog. At last, frightened almost to distraction, +and finding no other means of escape from this creature +that he felt moving and yet dared not touch, he pulled +off his jacket and threw it on the ground, remaining in +his shirt sleeves. The others burst out laughing and made +a rush for the jacket. Henry opened the hind pocket; +the imprisoned frog seeing daylight, darted through the +opening, narrow as it was, and each one saw a pretty +little scared frog, that sought safety in desperate efforts +to put itself out of reach.</p> + +<p>“The enemy has taken flight,” said Maud, laughing.</p> + +<p>“Take care it doesn’t chase you,” said William.</p> + +<p>“Don’t go too near, it might devour you!” said +Henry.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</span></p> + +<p>“Nothing is so dangerous as a frog!” added Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“If it were only a lion, Alfred would attack it!” +chimed in Elizabeth, “but a frog! All his courage +could not defend him from its claws!”</p> + +<p>“You forget its teeth!” continued Louis.</p> + +<p>“You may pick up your jacket,” said James, catching +the frog. “I hold your enemy prisoner.”</p> + +<p>Alfred remained motionless and mute with shame at +having thus exposed himself to so much ridicule.</p> + +<p>“Let us dress him,” cried William, “he has not +strength enough to put on his jacket!”</p> + +<p>“Take care,” said Henry “that a fly or a gnat is not +on it, for that would be a new danger to fear!”</p> + +<p>Alfred tried to escape, but all the children, big and +little ran after him; William holding the jacket, the +others pursuing the coward and endeavoring to intercept +his retreat. It was a very amusing race for all but poor +Alfred, who, red with shame and anger, ran first to the +right and then to the left, and everywhere encountered +an enemy. I joined the party, and galloped before and +behind him, increasing his fear by braying and attempting +to seize him by the seat of his trousers; once I caught +him, but he jerked away leaving a piece of the trousers +in my mouth which increased the other children’s laughter. +I succeeded at last in catching him with a firm hold, he +uttered such a cry, that, for an instant, I feared having +seized skin as well as cloth. William and Henry were +the first to reach him; he tried to struggle against them, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</span>but I pulled him gently, at which he screamed again, +and then became as meek as a lamb, never budging any +more than a statue whilst William and Henry put his +jacket on him. Seeing that my services were no longer +needed, I released him, and went my way delighted at +having succeeded in rendering him so ridiculous. He +never knew how that frog got into his pocket, and from +that lucky day he dared boast no more of his courage—before +the children.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XXI"> + XXI. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE PONY.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">My</span> vengeance ought to have been appeased, but it was +not; I still retained for Alfred such sentiments of hatred +as instigated me to play another trick upon him, of which +I afterwards bitterly repented. We were rid of him for +nearly a month after the episode of the frog. One day, +however, his father brought him over, not much to anyone’s +delight.</p> + +<p>“What shall we do to amuse this boy?” said William +to Maud.</p> + +<p>“Propose a riding party to the woods; Henry will +mount Cadichon; Alfred, the farm mule; and you, your +pony.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! that’s a splendid idea, provided he wishes to go!”</p> + +<p>“Oh! but he must wish it; do you just have the +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</span>animals saddled, and when they are ready help him +mount.”</p> + +<p>William went to find Alfred, who was amusing himself +tormenting Louis and James. Under the pretence of +assisting them in their garden, he replanted their flowers, +pulled their vegetables, cut their strawberry vines, and +scattered confusion everywhere; when they attempted to +prevent him, he repulsed them with a kick or a thrust of +the spade, and William found them weeping over the +ruins of their flowers and vegetables.</p> + +<p>“Why do you torment my poor little cousins?” said +William, with evident displeasure.</p> + +<p>“I am not tormenting them; on the contrary, I am +assisting them.”</p> + +<p>“But they don’t wish your assistance.”</p> + +<p>“They must be made to do right, even in spite of +themselves.”</p> + +<p>“It is because he is twice as big as we are that he torments +us,” said Louis; “he would not dare do so with you +and Henry.”</p> + +<p>“Not dare!” replied Alfred; “don’t say that again, +young one.”</p> + +<p>“No, you would not dare! William and Henry are +much stronger than a frog, I know,” said James.</p> + +<p>At this, Alfred reddened, shrugged his shoulders with +an air of disdain, and, turning to William, said:</p> + +<p>“Did you want me, dear friend? You seemed to be +looking for me when you came here.”</p> + +<p>“Yes; I was going to propose a riding party,” said +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</span>William, with an air of indifference; “be ready in a +quarter of an hour, if you wish to go with Henry and +me to the woods.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly; I would like nothing better,” replied +Alfred eagerly, delighted at the idea of putting an end +to the taunts of James and Louis.</p> + +<p>William and Alfred then went to the stable, and told +the hostler to saddle the pony, the farm mule and myself.</p> + +<p>“Ah! you have a pony!” said Alfred; “I like them +so much.”</p> + +<p>“It was a present from grandma.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know how to ride horseback?”</p> + +<p>“Yes; I learned two years ago at riding school.”</p> + +<p>“I would love to ride your pony.”</p> + +<p>“I would not advise you to do it, if you have never +learned to ride horseback.”</p> + +<p>“I never learned, but I can do it just as well as anyone +else.”</p> + +<p>“Did you ever try?”</p> + +<p>“Many a time. Who is there that can’t ride horseback?”</p> + +<p>“When did you? your father has no saddle horses.”</p> + +<p>“I never rode horseback, but I have ridden mules, +which is the same thing.”</p> + +<p>“I tell you again, my dear Alfred,” said William, +restraining a smile, “if you have never ridden horseback, +I would advise you not to ride my pony.”</p> + +<p>“And why not?” replied Alfred a little piqued, “you +might give him up for once.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</span></p> + +<p>“Oh! I don’t refuse you on that account, it is because +the pony is a little spirited, and—”</p> + +<p>“And what?” said Alfred, in the same tone of vexation.</p> + +<p>“Well then he might throw you off.”</p> + +<p>“Be easy about that, do,” answered Alfred, quite irritated, +“I am not quite so awkward as you think. If you are +willing to give him up to me for once, be sure I can ride +him just as good as yourself.”</p> + +<p>“Just as you please, my dear; take the pony, I will +ride the mule, and Henry, Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>Henry now joined them. In a few moments we were +to start. Alfred approached the pony, which capered a +little and made two or three jumps. Alfred looked at +him anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Hold him firmly,” said he, “until I am on.”</p> + +<p>“There is no danger, master, the animal is not vicious, +and you need not be afraid,” said the hostler.</p> + +<p>“I am not at all afraid,” replied Alfred quickly, “do I +look as if I were afraid, I, who am afraid of nothing?”</p> + +<p>“Except frogs,” whispered Henry to William.</p> + +<p>“What did you say, Henry? What did you whisper to +William?” said Alfred.</p> + +<p>“Oh! nothing very interesting!” replied Henry, mischievously, +“I told him I believed I saw a frog down on +grass.”</p> + +<p>Alfred bit his lip, colored deeply, but said nothing. +He got on the pony and began to pull the bridle, the +pony recoiled, Alfred clung to the saddle.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</span></p> + +<p>“Do not pull, master, do not pull, a horse must not be +managed like a mule,” said the hostler, laughing.</p> + +<p>Alfred slackened the reins, I started ahead with Henry, +William following on the mule. I maliciously broke +into a gallop, and the pony tried to overtake me, but I +went my fastest. William and Henry laughed, Alfred +cried out and clung to the pony’s mane. We all ran, +and I determined not to stop until Alfred was thrown off. +Excited by the laughter and cries, the pony was not long +in overtaking me, but I followed close behind him, nibbling +his tail whenever he showed the slightest inclination +to slacken his speed. We galloped thus for a quarter +of an hour, Alfred clinging to the pony’s neck and +ready to fall at every step. Determined to hasten this +event, I gave a stronger nibble to the pony’s tail, he +began to kick so vigorously that at the first essay, Alfred +fell upon the horse’s neck, at the second, he passed over +its head and was stretched motionless on the ground. +William and Henry, thinking him hurt, dismounted +instantly, and ran to pick him up.</p> + +<p>“Alfred, Alfred, are you hurt?” they anxiously +inquired.</p> + +<p>“I think not, I do not know,” answered Alfred, as he +arose, still quaking from fright.</p> + +<p>When on his feet, his limbs trembled, his teeth chattered. +William and Henry examined him, and finding +neither bruise nor scratch of any sort, looked at him with +mingled pity and disgust.</p> + +<p>“It is sad to be such a coward as that,” said William.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</span></p> + +<p>“I—am—not—a—coward—but—I—am—afraid,” answered +Alfred, his teeth still chattering.</p> + +<p>“I hope you do not intend to mount my pony again,” +said William, “we will exchange animals.”</p> + +<p>And without awaiting Alfred’s answer, he jumped +lightly on the pony.</p> + +<p>“I would rather ride Cadichon,” said Alfred, piteously.</p> + +<p>“Just as you please,” answered Henry, “take Cadichon +and I will mount Grison, the mule.”</p> + +<p>My first impulse was to prevent his getting on my +back, but I formed another project which finished his +day’s amusement, and served better to express my aversion +and wickedness. So I let him mount quietly and I +followed far behind the pony. If Alfred had dared beat +me to increase my speed, I would have thrown him, but +knowing my young master’s fondness for me, he never +interfered with my gait, which was regulated entirely by +my own pleasure. I took especial pains in going through +the woods, to brush him up against all the bushes, particularly +such as holly and others of that thorny nature, so +that his face was well scratched. He complained of this +to Henry, who answered coldly:</p> + +<p>“Cadichon does not treat people badly that he likes; +probably you are not in his good graces.”</p> + +<p>We soon took the road homeward, for Henry and +William got tired of listening to Alfred’s whimpering as +each new branch switched across his face. He was +scratched ridiculously; I had every reason to believe, +however, that he was less amused than his companions. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</span>My frightful project was going to finish the day’s entertainment.</p> + +<p>In returning through the farm, we had to pass a hole +or rather a ditch, into which emptied the pipe carrying +off all the stale, greasy kitchen water. It was a receptacle +for refuse of every sort, which rotting in the stagnant +water, formed a black and stinking mud. I let +William and Henry go ahead; reaching the ditch, I +made a bound towards the edge and with one kick, +landed Alfred just where I had desired. I then stood +quietly enjoying the spectacle of his struggles in this +black, filthy pool that almost blinded and strangled him.</p> + +<p>He attempted to scream for help, but the water got +into his mouth, it even reached his ears, and try as he +would, he found it impossible to extricate himself. +“Medor,” thought I, “Medor, you are revenged!” I did +not reflect on the harm I might do this poor boy, who +had killed Medor by accident and not from malice, nor +did I suspect for an instant that I was far worse than +he. At last, William and Henry who had dismounted, +seeing nothing of me nor Alfred, wondered at our delay +and retraced their steps, to find me standing on the edge +of the ditch, complacently regarding my struggling +enemy. They approached, and uttered a cry of horror +at sight of Alfred, for he was in imminent risk of being +strangled by the mud. The farm men were called to +the spot immediately. They held out a pole to the unfortunate +boy, who, clinging to the end, was thus rescued +from his peril. When landed, every one wished him to +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</span>keep at a distance, for the mud was dripping from him +and smelt intolerably.</p> + +<p>“We must go tell his father,” said William.</p> + +<p>“And then papa and my uncles,” added Henry, “so +they may tell us some way of cleansing him.”</p> + +<p>“Come, Alfred, follow us, but please don’t come too +near, for that mud does smell horribly.”</p> + +<p>Alfred, covered with confusion, black with mud, +scarcely able to see his way, followed them at a distance, +and was the object of much surprise and many ejaculations +from all he met. I formed the vanguard, capering, +running and braying with all my strength. William and +Henry seemed much displeased at my gayety, and tried +their best to silence me, but their screams were of no +avail, and in fact, only added to the racket. This unusual +noise attracted the attention of all the house; +every one recognizing my voice, and knowing that I +brayed thus only on grand occasions, ran to the windows +so that when we came in sight of the castle, numberless +countenances full of curiosity peered at us through the +casements. Our appearance was the signal for a general +exclamation, followed by a simultaneous rush for the +door, and in a few moments everybody, big and little, +young and old, had descended and formed a circle around +us, with Alfred for the centre, every one inquiring what +was the matter and trying to keep out of his way. Your +grandmother was the first to say:</p> + +<p>“Some one must wash this poor boy, and see if he is +hurt.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</span></p> + +<p>“But how to wash him is the question,” said William’s +papa. “He must take a bath.”</p> + +<p>“I will undertake the washing,” said Alfred’s father. +“Follow me, Alfred; I see by your walk that you are +not hurt. Let us go to the pond, where you can plunge +right in; then, when rid of some of that mud, you may +use the soap and finish your bath. The water is not cold +at this season. William will lend you linen and other +clothing.”</p> + +<p>Saying this, he went towards the brook, followed by +Alfred, who was afraid to do otherwise, as he stood considerably +in awe of his father. I ran to assist at the +operation, which was long and hard, for the nasty, greasy +mud stuck to his skin and hair. The servants hastened +to bring him towels, soap, clothing and shoes. The papas +helped scrub him, and at the end of half an hour he +emerged from his bath nearly clean, but shivering, and +so abashed that he did not wish to be seen, and begged +his father to take him home immediately.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile, every one inquired how this accident had +happened. William and Henry mentioned the two falls.</p> + +<p>“I believe,” said William, “that Cadichon was the +cause of both. He bit my pony’s tail, which he never +does when one of us is on the pony; this forced the pony +into a gallop; he kicked, and sent Alfred over his head. +I did not see the second fall, but, judging from Cadichon’s +triumphant air, his joyful braying, and his present complacent +demeanor, it is very easy to discover that the +deed was intentional—he detests Alfred.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</span></p> + +<p>“How do you know he detests him?” asked Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“He shows it in a thousand ways,” said William. +“You remember the day Alfred had a frog in his pocket, +how Cadichon chased him, caught him by the seat of his +trousers, and held him whilst we put on his jacket? I +observed Cadichon’s expression, and perceived that he +cast upon Alfred such malicious glances as he bestows +only on those he hates. He never looks at us in that +way. His eyes sparkled like coals; indeed, his look was +really ugly.”</p> + +<p>“Cadichon,” added he, turning towards me, “isn’t it +so? Haven’t I guessed exactly right; you detest Alfred, +and treated him badly on purpose?”</p> + +<p>My answer was to bray and then lick his hand.</p> + +<p>“Do you know,” said Maud, “that Cadichon is really +an extraordinary creature? I am sure he hears and +understands us.”</p> + +<p>I gave her a grateful glance, and, going up to her side, +laid my head on her shoulder.</p> + +<p>“What a pity, my Cadichon,” said Maud, “that you +get worse and worse, and oblige us to love you less and +less! And what a pity it is, also, that you cannot write! +You have seen so much that would be interesting to +relate,” she added, passing her hand over my head and +neck. “If you could only write the story of your adventures, +I am sure they would be very amusing!”</p> + +<p>“My poor Maud,” said Henry, “what nonsense you +are saying, wishing that Cadichon who is a donkey, could +write an account of his life.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</span></p> + +<p>“A donkey like Cadichon is only one in part.”</p> + +<p>“Bah! they are all alike and do what you will, they +are never anything but donkeys.”</p> + +<p>“All donkeys are not alike.”</p> + +<p>“But this does not prevent people when they wish to +describe a man as stupid, ignorant, and headstrong, from +saying: ‘As stupid as a donkey, as ignorant as a donkey, +as headstrong as a donkey’ and if you were to say to me, +‘Henry you are a donkey,’ I would get angry and certainly +take it as an insult.”</p> + +<p>“You are right, and yet I feel and see, first that Cadichon +understands a great deal, that he loves us, and that +he has wonderful intelligence—moreover, that donkeys +are donkeys when treated like donkeys, that is, with +harshness and even cruelty, by masters whom they cannot +love or serve faithfully.”</p> + +<p>“According to your doctrine, then, it is really Cadichon’s +intelligence that instigated him to betray the +robbers, and that prompts him to so many extraordinary +deeds.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, how else would you account for his revealing +the place of their concealment, except that he wished +to do so?”</p> + +<p>“I would say, that seeing his comrades enter the cave, +he wished to rejoin them.”</p> + +<p>“And the tricks of the learned donkey?”</p> + +<p>“I would account for that day’s doings on the score of +jealousy and malice.”</p> + +<p>“And the race in which he came off victor?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</span></p> + +<p>“A donkey’s pride.”</p> + +<p>“And the fire when he saved Pauline?”</p> + +<p>“It was instinct.”</p> + +<p>“Hush, Henry, you provoke me.”</p> + +<p>“I am very fond of Cadichon, I assure you; but I +consider him just what he is in reality, a donkey; and +you, you make him a genius. I must say, that if he is +endowed with all the mind and intelligence that you +believe he possesses, he is wicked and detestable.”</p> + +<p>“How so?”</p> + +<p>“By turning into ridicule the poor learned donkey +and his master, thus preventing them from making the +money necessary for their subsistence—again, in playing +so many ugly tricks on Alfred, who never did him any +harm, and, finally, in making himself so detestable to the +other animals, biting, kicking and maltreating them +generally.”</p> + +<p>“That is true, indeed, you are right, Henry. I would +rather believe for the sake of Cadichon’s honor, that he +is ignorant of what he does and the consequences of his +deeds.”</p> + +<p>And Maud ran off with Henry, leaving me alone, and +quite displeased at what I had just heard. I felt indeed +that Henry’s condemnation of my behavior was just, +but I was unwilling to acknowledge it, and still more +unwilling to change my conduct, by shaking off the yoke +of pride, ill temper and revenge, by which I had so long +been governed.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XXII"> + XXII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE PUNISHMENT.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>I <span class="smcap">remained</span> alone till evening, no one came near me. +Feeling lonesome and wearied, I went towards the servants +who were airing themselves at the kitchen door, +and engaged in conversation.</p> + +<p>“He is getting too wicked indeed,” said the chambermaid. +“What an ugly trick he played on poor Alfred; +he might have killed or drowned him.”</p> + +<p>“And after that he seemed so delighted,” said the valet, +“he ran, he leaped, he brayed, as if he had accomplished +something great.”</p> + +<p>“He shall be paid for it,” said the coachman, “I am +going to give him a dressing off for his supper.”</p> + +<p>“Take care,” replied the valet, “if madam sees it—”</p> + +<p>“And how would madam see it? Do you suppose I +am going to whip him under madam’s eyes? I shall +wait until he is in the stable.”</p> + +<p>“Then you will be apt to wait a long time, for this +animal that does only what he pleases, goes to the stable +very late.”</p> + +<p>“Well, if I get tired waiting for him, I know a way to +take him there in spite of himself and without disturbing +any one.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</span></p> + +<p>“How can you do that?” asked the chambermaid, “for +the wicked thing brays in such a way as to alarm the +house.”</p> + +<p>“Leave him to me! I’ll stifle his breath, so that you +will hardly hear him breathe,” was the reply, followed +by a burst of laughter from the whole party.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="image181" style="max-width: 47.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image181.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>I was enraged at their spite, and began to consider +some means of avoiding the threatened punishment. I +would have jumped at them then, and bitten every one +but I dared not, for fear they would go in a body and +complain to my mistress, and I had a vague presentiment +that vexed and annoyed at my numberless tricks, she +might drive me off.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image182" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image182.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>Whilst I was deliberating, I heard the chambermaid +tell the coachman to look at my wicked eyes. He +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</span>shrugged his shoulders, arose, went into the kitchen, and +coming out again, directed his steps towards the stable. +In passing me he threw a slip knot over my head; I +drew back to break it, and he pulled in the opposite +direction to make me advance; we both pulled our best, +in consequence of which the tighter the cord strangled +me; at the very first I tried to bray, but in vain, I could +scarcely breathe, and was forced at last to yield. He led +me to the stable, the door of which was obligingly opened +by the other domestics. Once in my stall, they promptly +passed the halter over my head and untied the rope that +was choking me; then the coachman having first taken +the precaution to shut the door, seized the wagon whip +and began to beat me unmercifully, without the slightest +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</span>remonstrance or sign of pity from anyone present. In +vain did I bray and struggle, my young masters could +not hear me, and the coachman was free to consult his +own time and taste in meting out the punishment due +the many wicked deeds of which I was accused.</p> + +<p>He left me in a state of suffering and dejection impossible +to describe. It was the first time since my entrance +into this house, that I had ever been humiliated and +beaten. Since then, however, in reflecting upon it, I +have recognized the justice of my punishment.</p> + +<p>The next day it was quite late when the coachman let +me out of the stable. I was strongly tempted to bite +him in the face, but was prevented, as on the previous +day, only by the fear of being driven off the place.</p> + +<p>I directed my steps towards the house. The children +were all collected around the front entrance, engaged in +a most animated conversation.</p> + +<p>“There he is now, that wicked Cadichon,” said William, +seeing me approach; “let us chase him away, he’ll bite +us or play some ugly trick on us, like he did the other +day on poor Alfred.”</p> + +<p>“What was it the doctor told papa just now?” asked +Maud.</p> + +<p>“He says that Alfred is very sick; he has a fever and +is delirious,” replied William.</p> + +<p>“Delirious?” inquired James, “what is that?”</p> + +<p>“A person is delirious,” answered William, “when he +has such high fever that he does not know what he says, +when he does not recognize anybody, and thinks he sees +a great many things that he does not.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</span></p> + +<p>“What does Alfred think he sees?” asked Louis.</p> + +<p>“He imagines all the time that Cadichon is before +him and going to dart at him and bite or crush him +under foot; the doctor is very anxious about him; papa +and my uncles have gone there now.”</p> + +<p>“How base it was in Cadichon to throw poor Alfred +into that disgusting hole!” said Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“Yes; it was really base, sir,” exclaimed James, turning +towards me. “Go! you are wicked! I do not love +you anymore.”</p> + +<p>“Nor I, nor I, nor I,” repeated all the children in +unison. “Go away, we want nothing more to do with +you!”</p> + +<p>I was filled with consternation; every one, even to +my little James (heretofore so tender and affectionate), +repulsed me now.</p> + +<p>I slowly directed my steps in another direction, but +turned and looked so sadly at James that his heart was +touched. Running to me, he put his hands on my head, +and said in a caressing voice:</p> + +<p>“Listen, Cadichon, we don’t love you now, but if you +do better I assure you we will love you as before.”</p> + +<p>“No, no; never as before!” exclaimed all the rest; +“he has been too bad!”</p> + +<p>“You see, Cadichon, what comes of being bad,” said +little James, passing his hand over my neck. “You see +that no one cares for you—but,” added he, whispering in +my ear, “I still love you a little, and if you give up your +ugly tricks I will love you a great deal, just as before.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image185" style="max-width: 37.75em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image185.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + He imagines that Cadichon is going to jump on him.—(Page <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_186"></a><a id="Page_187"></a>[Pg 187]</span></p> + +<p>“Take care, James,” said Henry, “don’t go too near +him; if he should give you a bite or a kick, he would +make you suffer much.”</p> + +<p>“There is no danger; I am very sure he’ll never bite +any of us.”</p> + +<p>“And why not?” He threw Alfred off twice.</p> + +<p>“Oh! but Alfred, that’s another thing; he does not +like Alfred.”</p> + +<p>“And why doesn’t he like Alfred? What did Alfred +ever do to him? He might take a notion some day not +to like us either.”</p> + +<p>James made no answer, for indeed there was nothing +he could say; but he shook his head, and turning towards +me, gave me such a friendly little caress, that I was +affected to tears. The abandonment of all the others, +rendered still more precious those marks of affection +from my dear little James; and for the first time a sincere +thought of repentance found its way into my heart. +Poor Alfred’s illness caused me much anxiety. In the +afternoon, we heard that he was worse, and the physician +entertained fears of his life. Towards evening my +young masters themselves went to his father’s to make +inquiries about him. Their cousins impatiently awaited +their return, and at the first glimpse of them all cried +out: “Well, what news? how is Alfred?”</p> + +<p>“Very sick,” answered William, “and yet, not quite +so ill as he was.”</p> + +<p>“His poor father,” said Henry, “is greatly to be pitied; +he weeps and sighs, and begs the good God to spare him +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</span>his son; he said so many touching things, that I could +not help crying myself.”</p> + +<p>“We must all remember him in our evening prayers, +we must pray with him and for him, must we not, dear +ones?” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“Certainly, with all our hearts,” responded every child +at once.</p> + +<p>“Poor Alfred! suppose he should die!” said Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“Then,” answered Maud, “his father would lose his +mind from grief, for Alfred is his only child!”</p> + +<p>“Where is Alfred’s mother?” said Elizabeth, “we +never see her.”</p> + +<p>“It would be very astonishing if we were to see her,” +answered William, “for she has been dead ten years.”</p> + +<p>“And the singular part of it is, that the poor lady’s +death was caused by her falling into the water whilst on +a boating party,” said Henry.</p> + +<p>“How? was she drowned,” inquired Elizabeth.</p> + +<p>“No,” said William, “she was rescued immediately; +but it was warm weather, and the sudden chill of the +water, combined with the fright, threw her into a fever +and delirium just like Alfred’s, from which she died in +eight days.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! my God!” exclaimed Maud, “grant it may not +be thus with Alfred!”</p> + +<p>“And for this intention we must pray fervently,” said +Elizabeth, “perhaps the good God will grant our request.”</p> + +<p>“Where is James?” inquired Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“He was here just now, he will return,” said Maud.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image189" style="max-width: 38.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image189.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “How is Alfred?”—(Page <a href="#Page_191">191</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_190"></a><a id="Page_191"></a>[Pg 191]</span></p> + +<p>But the poor child did not return, for he had thrown +himself upon his knees behind a chest, and with his head +buried in his hands, he wept and prayed! And it was I +who had caused all this sorrow, Alfred’s illness, his father’s +anxiety and bitter grief, my little James’s distress. This +thought was a sad one for me, I began to reflect that it +would have been better to have left Medor’s death +unavenged.</p> + +<p>“What good did Alfred’s fall do to Medor?” I asked. +“Medor is none the less lost to me, and the vengeance I +have taken, has only served another purpose, that of +making me feared and detested.”</p> + +<p>I impatiently awaited the next morning’s news of +Alfred, and I was among the first to hear, for James and +Louis harnessed me to the little carriage to take them +over. Immediately on our arrival, we learned from a +servant who was hastening for the doctor, that Alfred had +passed a bad night, and had just had a convulsion that +greatly alarmed his father. James and Louis waited for +the doctor. He was not long in coming, and promised +to give them correct news of his patient.</p> + +<p>In half an hour he descended the steps.</p> + +<p>“Oh! Mister Tudoux, how is Alfred?” inquired +Louis and James.</p> + +<p>“Very sick, very sick, my children, but not as ill as I +feared,” said Mister Tudoux very slowly.</p> + +<p>“But these convulsions,” asked Louis, “are they not +dangerous?”</p> + +<p>“No, his convulsion resulted from great irritation of +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</span>the nervous system. I gave him a pill that will compose +him. He is not dangerously ill,” said Doctor +Tudoux, in the same slow, deliberate manner.</p> + +<p>“Then, Mister Tudoux, you do not think he will +die?” asked James.</p> + +<p>“No, no, no,” was the reply in the same measured +tones, “he is not seriously ill, not at all.”</p> + +<p>“I am so glad!” exclaimed both the boys, “thanks +Mister Tudoux. Good-bye, we must hasten home to +take the good news to our cousins.”</p> + +<p>“Wait, wait a moment. Isn’t that Cadichon you are +driving?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, this is Cadichon,” replied James.</p> + +<p>“Then take care,” said Doctor Tudoux calmly, “he +might throw you into a ditch as he did Alfred. Tell +your grandmother she ought to sell him, he is a dangerous +animal.”</p> + +<p>And the Doctor bade them good morning. As for me, +I remained in such a state of astonishment and humiliation, +that I stood motionless, never dreaming of taking +a step homeward until my little masters had thrice said +to me:</p> + +<p>“Come, Cadichon, get up!—Go, Cadichon, get along, +we are in a hurry!—Are you going to sleep here, Cadichon? +Get up, get up!”</p> + +<p>I started at last, and ran all the way to the house, +reaching which, we found the cousins, uncles and aunts, +papas and mammas assembled at the first entrance, +anxiously awaiting our return.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</span></p> + +<p>“He is better,” exclaimed James and Louis, and then +they related their conversation with Mister Tudoux, not +forgetting his last injunction.</p> + +<p>With lively trepidation, I awaited the grandmother’s +decision. After an instant’s reflection, she said:</p> + +<p>“It is very certain, my dear children, that Cadichon +no longer deserves our confidence, and I do not wish the +smaller of you to mount him. The very next trick he +plays on any one, I shall sell him to the miller, who will +give him employment in carrying bags of flour, but I +want to try him a little longer, before reducing him to +this state of humiliation. Perhaps he will reform, we +shall be able to tell very well at the end of a few +months.”</p> + +<p>My dejection, my humiliation, my repentance increased, +but I could not repair the evil I had wrought +myself, except by dint of patience, gentleness and time. +I was deeply wounded both in my pride and my affections.</p> + +<p>Next day we heard still more encouraging news of +Alfred. A few days later he was convalescent, and +ceased to be the subject of anxiety at the castle.</p> + +<p>But I could never have him out of my mind, for some +one was continually saying within my hearing:</p> + +<p>“Beware of Cadichon! Remember Alfred!”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</span></p> + + + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XXIII"> + XXIII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE REFORMATION.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Since</span> the day I had scratched Alfred’s face, brushing +him up against all the thorny bushes along the road, and +ended by pitching him into the ditch, there was a very +visible change in the treatment I received from my little +masters, their parents, and in fact, from every one about +the place. The very animals behaved differently towards +me; they seemed to avoid me, moving off when I +approached them, or maintaining a rigid silence in my +presence; for, as I have already remarked in connection +with my friend Medor, we other animals converse among +ourselves without speaking as men do, movements of the +eyes, the ears, the tail taking the place of words. I +knew only too well what had caused this change, and I +was more irritated than grieved, until one day, when, +alone as usual, taking my ease at the foot of a pine tree, +I saw Henry and Elizabeth approach; they seated themselves +and continued their conversation.</p> + +<p>“I believe you are right, Henry,” said Elizabeth, “and +I agree with you; I also care very little for Cadichon +since he treated Alfred so badly.”</p> + +<p>“And not only Alfred; don’t you remember the fair +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</span>of Laigle, how he behaved to the learned donkey’s master?” +replied Henry.</p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! ah! Yes; I recollect very well, it was +funny! Everybody laughed; but for all that, we thought +he displayed more wit than heart.”</p> + +<p>“That is true; he humbled the poor donkey and his +master. I have been told that the unfortunate man was +so ridiculed he had to leave without a cent in his pocket, +and his wife and children were in tears for want of +something to eat.”</p> + +<p>“And it was all Cadichon’s fault.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly; except for him the poor man would have +made enough to live on several weeks.”</p> + +<p>“And, then, do you remember what was told us about +the tricks he played his former masters? He ate their +vegetables, broke their eggs, soiled their linen—I am +decidedly of your opinion; I care for him no more.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth and Henry arose and continued their walk. +I remained sad and dejected; my first impulse was to +get angry and gratify myself by taking some slight +revenge, but reflection convinced me that they were +right; I was always taking revenge, and what had it +availed me? it had rendered me unhappy.</p> + +<p>First, I had broken the teeth and the arm of one of +my mistresses, and kicked her in the stomach. The consequence +was that I would have been beaten almost to +death had I not luckily made my escape.</p> + +<p>I had also played numberless tricks on one of my +masters, who had been good to me until I got lazy and +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</span>vicious; then he treated me harshly, and I became +very unhappy.</p> + +<p>As to the death of my friend Medor, I had never +reflected that Alfred killed him not intentionally, or +from malice, but through awkwardness, and that for his +stupidity the boy was not to blame. In revenge, I had +tormented him, finishing by causing him a spell of sickness, +the consequence of his plunge into the ditch.</p> + +<p>And besides all these, of what numberless untold tricks +had I not been guilty!</p> + +<p>The end of which was that no one cared for me. I +was alone, no one came near to console or caress me, +even the animals kept out of my way.</p> + +<p>“What shall I do?” I sadly asked myself. “If I +could speak, I would go and tell them all that I have +repented, that I beg pardon for my past conduct, that +hereafter, I promise to be good and gentle, but alas!—I +cannot make them understand, I cannot speak!”</p> + +<p>I threw myself upon the grass and wept, not as men +shed tears, but in the depths of my heart; I wept, I +bemoaned my sad lot, and for the first time I repented +sincerely.</p> + +<p>“Ah! if I had been good,” said I “and instead of +displaying my intelligence, had tried to show kindness, +gentleness, patience! if I had only been to every one +what I was to Pauline! how every one would love me, +and how happy I should now be!”</p> + +<p>I reflected a long time, a very long time, forming first +good resolutions and plans and then bad.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</span></p> + +<p>At last, I decided upon a reformation so as to regain +the favor of my masters and comrades, and I began immediately +to put my good resolutions into practice.</p> + +<p>For some time, I had had a comrade that I treated very +badly, a donkey which was bought for the little ones, as +they were afraid to ride me after I came so near drowning +Alfred. The larger children were not afraid of me, +but I had lost favor and there were no longer any disputes +at their riding parties, as to who should have me, +little James being the only one who asked for me.</p> + +<p>This comrade was the object of my especial contempt, +I always kept him behind me, kicking and biting him +if he attempted to pass, until at last, the poor animal +was worried into giving me first place and submitting to +all my caprices.</p> + +<p>That evening when the time arrived for us to go into +the stable, I found myself near the door almost at the +same moment as my comrade. He eagerly made way +for me to enter first, but as he was a few steps ahead, I +stopped in turn, and made a sign for him to pass. The +poor donkey obeyed me, but trembling, suspicious of my +politeness and believing it only the prelude to some +trick, for instance a kick or a bite. He was very much +astonished to find himself safe and sound in his stall, and +to see me take my place peaceably in mine.</p> + +<p>Noticing his astonishment, I said to him:</p> + +<p>“Brother, I have treated you very badly, but I shall +do so no longer; I have been proud, but I shall never be +so again; I have despised, humiliated, insulted you, but +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</span>I do not intend to repeat it. Pardon me, brother, and +in future regard me as a companion, a friend.”</p> + +<p>“Thanks, brother,” replied the poor donkey overjoyed. +“I was unhappy, but I will be happy now; I +was sad, I will be gay; I felt myself isolated, but now +I feel loved and protected. Thanks again, brother, love +me, for I already love you.”</p> + +<p>“Let me in turn, brother, thank you,” said I, “for I +have been spiteful and you have pardoned me, I have +made advances and you have not repulsed me, I have +offered you my friendship, and you have given me yours. +Yes, it is my turn, brother, to thank you.”</p> + +<p>And eating our supper, we thus continued to converse. +It was the first time, for hitherto I had never deigned to +notice him. I found him much better and wiser than +myself, and I asked him to assist me in my new life, +which he promised to do with equal affection and modesty.</p> + +<p>The horses, witnesses of our conversation and my unaccustomed +gentleness, glanced at me and then at one +another with surprise. Although they conversed in an +undertone, I heard one say:</p> + +<p>“This is all pretence on Cadichon’s part; he is going +to play some trick on his companion.”</p> + +<p>“Poor donkey,” answered the second horse, “I pity +him. Suppose we give him a hint of it.”</p> + +<p>“Oh, no indeed,” replied the first horse. “Silence! +Cadichon is wicked! he would pay us up for this if he +were to hear us.”</p> + +<p>I was deeply wounded at the bad opinion those two +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</span>horses had of me; the third said nothing, but putting +his head over the stall, he observed me attentively. I +looked at him sadly and humbly. He appeared surprised +but never moved, and continued to regard me in silence.</p> + +<p>Fatigued and worn out by sorrow and regret, I lay +down upon my bed, and as I did so, perceived it was less +soft and comfortable than my comrade’s. Instead of +getting angry as formerly, I recognized the justice of such +treatment, and indulged in penitent reflections.</p> + +<p>“I have been wicked,” said I, “and they have punished +me; I have made myself detestable, and they have +made me feel it. I ought to congratulate myself on not +having been sent to the mill, where I would be beaten, +badly stabled, and my back broken with heavy loads.”</p> + +<p>Thus bemoaning my past misdeeds, I fell asleep. As +I awoke the next morning the coachman entered the +stable, assisting me to rise with a kick, he took off my +halter and set me at liberty. I remained at the door, +and to my surprise, beheld him curry and carefully rub +down my comrade, then pass my beautiful ornamented +bridle over his head, put my English saddle on his back, +and lead him around to the front entrance.</p> + +<p>Anxious, trembling with emotion, I followed, and oh! +what was my chagrin, my desolation to see James, my +beloved little master, approach my comrade, and after a +little hesitation, seat himself in the saddle. I remained +motionless, overcome with grief. Dear little James perceived +my consternation, for coming up to me, he patted +me on the head and said sadly:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</span></p> + +<p>“Poor Cadichon! you see what you have done! I am +not afraid to ride you, but papa and mama are afraid you +will pitch me off. Good-bye, poor Cadichon; be quiet, +I will always like you.”</p> + +<p>And he rode slowly off, followed by the coachman, +who cried out to him:</p> + +<p>“Take care, Master James, do not stay too near Cadichon, +he will bite you, he will bite your donkey, you +know very well how wicked he is.”</p> + +<p>“He never was wicked with me and he never will be,” +answered James.</p> + +<p>The coachman struck the donkey, which started at a +trot, and both he and his rider were soon out of sight. +I remained rooted to the spot, overwhelmed with emotion, +which was so much the more violent in proportion +to the impossibility of making anyone understand my +repentance and my good resolutions. Almost frantic +with the insupportable weight oppressing my heart, I +started off in a run, not knowing whither I went. I ran +a long time, breaking through hedges, leaping ditches, +clearing fences, crossing streams, not stopping till I came +to a wall which I could neither break nor leap.</p> + +<p>I looked around me. Where was I? The country +seemed familiar, but I could not remember when I had +ever been there before. I skirted the wall at a rapid +pace. I was in a foam, having run several hours, judging +by the sun. A few steps brought me to the end of +the wall; I turned the corner, and recoiled with surprise +and terror—I was not more than two steps from Pauline’s +tomb.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</span></p> + +<p>My anguish was more bitter than ever. “Pauline, my +dear little mistress!” I exclaimed, “you loved me because +I was good; I loved you because you were good and +unhappy. After losing you, I found others, who, good +like you, treated me kindly. I was happy then, but all +is changed now; my bad disposition, the desire of displaying +my ability and satisfying my vengeance have +destroyed all my happiness; no one cares for me now, +and if I were to die no one would regret me.”</p> + +<p>I wept bitterly within myself, and for the hundredth +time reproached myself with my misconduct. One consoling +thought suddenly inspired me with consolation. +“If I reform,” thought I, “and do as much good as I +have evil, perhaps my young masters will receive me +again into their confidence, my dear little James +especially, who still loves me a little. But how shall I +make known to them my repentance and reformation?”</p> + +<p>Whilst thus reflecting on my future, I heard steps +approaching the wall, and the harsh voice of a man, +saying:</p> + +<p>“What is the use of crying, simpleton? Tears will +not give you bread, will they? Since I have nothing to +give you, what do you wish me to do here? Do you suppose +I have a full stomach, I who have swallowed nothing +since yesterday morning but air and dust?”</p> + +<p>“I am very tired, father.”</p> + +<p>“Well, let us rest under the shade of this wall for a +quarter of an hour; I am quite willing.”</p> + +<p>As they turned the wall and seated themselves near +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</span>the tomb where I stood, judge of my astonishment at +seeing Mirliflore’s poor master, with his wife and son! +They all had a hungry, emaciated, care-worn appearance.</p> + +<p>The father looked at me; he seemed surprised, and, +after a few minutes hesitation:</p> + +<p>“If I see aright,” said he, “this is the donkey, the +beggarly donkey that made me lose more than fifty francs +at the Laigle fair. You wicked animal,” he continued, +addressing me, “you were the cause of my poor Mirliflore +being killed by the crowd; it was you who prevented +my gaining money enough to have lived on a +month; you shall pay up for it!”</p> + +<p>He arose and approached, but I did not stir, being +keenly conscious that I had merited this man’s indignation. +He was astonished.</p> + +<p>“It cannot be the same,” said he, “for he does not +budge any more than a stick—‘Pretty fellow,’” he continued +addressing me and smoothing my limbs. “If I +had him only a month, you would not want bread my +son, nor your mother, nor would my stomach be so +empty.”</p> + +<p>My mind was made up in an instant, I resolved to +follow this man for several days, and suffer everything if +necessary, to help him make some money for his family, +in reparation of the wrong I had done him.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image203" style="max-width: 36.375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image203.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + The owner of Mirliflore, with his wife and son.—(Page <a href="#Page_202">202</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>When they resumed their journey, I followed them; +at first, it was not noticed, but the father having looked +around several times, and seen me always at their heels, +tried to drive me back. I refused to leave them, persistently +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_203"></a><a id="Page_204"></a><a id="Page_205"></a>[Pg 205]</span>returning to my place beside or just behind +them.</p> + +<p>“It is strange,” said the man, “that this animal will +follow us! My faith, since he is so determined, let him +do it.”</p> + +<p>On reaching the village, he presented himself at an +inn, and asked for a meal and lodging, frankly confessing +that he had not a cent in his pocket.</p> + +<p>“We have beggars enough of our own, my good +man,” answered the inn-keeper, “without adding those +who do not belong here, you must go elsewhere.”</p> + +<p>I darted to the inn-keeper’s side, and saluted him several +times in such a grotesque fashion as to make him +laugh.</p> + +<p>“This animal of yours does not appear stupid,” said +the inn-keeper, laughing. “If you will let us see some +of his tricks, I will cheerfully give you food and lodging.”</p> + +<p>“I do not refuse, landlord, but we must have something +in our stomachs first,” answered the man, “when +fasting, one cannot control his voice properly.”</p> + +<p>“Come in, come in, you shall be waited on; Madelon, +my old woman, dinner for three, not counting the +donkey.”</p> + +<p>Madelon brought them some good soup, which was +swallowed in the twinkling of an eye, then a nice piece +of boiled meat and some cabbage, both of which disappeared +with equal rapidity, and at last, a dish of salad +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</span>and some cheese, which they devoured with less avidity, +their hunger by this time being somewhat appeased.</p> + +<p>My dinner was a bundle of hay, but I ate very little, +I had too heavy a heart to be hungry.</p> + +<p>The inn-keeper had collected all the village to see me +perform, and the yard was filled, when my new master +led me out into the circle. He seemed greatly embarrassed, +not knowing my capacity or whether I had +received any education. At a venture he said to me:</p> + +<p>“Salute the society.”</p> + +<p>I made a bow to the right, to the left, before me and +behind, and everybody applauded.</p> + +<p>“What are you going to make him do now?” said the +wife in an under tone, “he doesn’t know what you +mean.”</p> + +<p>“Perhaps he will understand. These educated donkeys +are intelligent, I am going to try him.”</p> + +<p>“Go, Mirliflore,” (this name made me sigh) “go, kiss +the prettiest lady here.”</p> + +<p>Looking right and left, I perceived behind nearly +every one else, the landlord’s daughter, a pretty brunette +of some fifteen or sixteen years. I directed my steps +towards her, and pushing away with my head, those who +blocked the passage, I went up to her and put my nose +against her forehead. She laughed and seemed to be +quite pleased.</p> + +<p>“Say now, father Hutfer, you gave that lesson, didn’t +you?” exclaimed several in the crowd, laughing.</p> + +<p>“No, upon my honor,” answered Hutfer, “I came +only as a spectator.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</span></p> + +<p>“Now, Mirliflore,” said my new master, “go find something, +no matter what, and give it to the poorest person +present.”</p> + +<p>I went towards the room in which they had just dined, +seized a loaf of bread and triumphantly deposited it in +his own hands.</p> + +<p>There was a general laugh, everybody applauded. +“That’s not your lesson, father Hutfer,” cried a friend, +“this donkey really is sensible, he has profited well by +his master’s training.”</p> + +<p>“Are you going to let him have a whole loaf of bread +like that?” said some one in the crowd.</p> + +<p>“No, not that,” answered Hutfer, “give it to me, +donkey-man, this was not in our agreement.”</p> + +<p>“It was not, landlord,” responded the man, “nevertheless +my donkey told the truth, when he pointed me +out as the poorest here, for until we got our dinner, my +wife, my son, and myself had eaten nothing since yesterday +morning, for want of two sous to buy a bit of bread.”</p> + +<p>“Let him have the bread, father,” said Helen Hutfer, +“our meal bins are full, and the good God will recompense +us for what we give away.”</p> + +<p>“That is just like you, Helen,” said Hutfer, “if one +listened to you, he would give away all he has.”</p> + +<p>“We are no longer poor, father, the good God always +blesses our harvests and our house.”</p> + +<p>“Well, then—since you wish it—let him keep his +bread, I am willing.”</p> + +<p>At these words, I went up to him, and made him a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</span>profound bow. Then taking between my teeth a little +empty pan, I presented it to each one for his contribution, +and when after going the round my pan was full, I +emptied the contents into my master’s hands, put the pan +where I had found it, and making a bow, I gravely +retired amidst a storm of applause.</p> + +<p>My heart felt lighter. I was consoled and strengthened +in my good resolutions. My new master seemed delighted. +As he was about to retire, every one surrounded him, +begging a second exhibition on the morrow, which he +eagerly promised, and then went into the room with his +wife and son to rest.</p> + +<p>When they found themselves alone, the wife, after looking +cautiously around her, and perceiving no one but me +with my head resting upon the window, said to her husband +in a low tone:</p> + +<p>“Say husband, don’t you think it very singular our +meeting this donkey coming out of a cemetery, its following +us of its own accord, and making so much money for +us? What amount have you there?”</p> + +<p>“I have not yet counted,” he answered, “come help me, +you take this handful and I, the other.”</p> + +<p>“I have eight francs and four sous,” said the woman, +after counting.</p> + +<p>“And I have seven fifty—that makes—how much does +that make, wife?”</p> + +<p>“How much does that make? Eight and four make +thirteen, and seven make twenty-four, and fifty make—make—somewhere +about sixty.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</span></p> + +<p>“How stupid you are! Sixty francs in my hands, +indeed! It is an impossibility! Come, my son, you are +something of a scholar, you ought to know that.”</p> + +<p>“What is it, papa?”</p> + +<p>“I have eight francs four sous on one side, and seven +francs fifty on the other.”</p> + +<p>“Eight and four make twelve,” said the boy, with +quite a decided air; “carry one, and seven make twenty, +carry two, and fifty make—make—fifty—fifty-two, carry +five.”</p> + +<p>“Dunce! how could that make fifty, since I have eight +in one hand and seven in the other?”</p> + +<p>“And fifty besides, papa.”</p> + +<p>“‘And fifty besides, papa?’” said his father, mocking +him. “Don’t you see, simpleton, that the fifty are centimes? +and centimes are not francs.”</p> + +<p>“No, papa; but it would still be fifty.”</p> + +<p>“Fifty what? How stupid! how stupid! If I were +to give you fifty knocks, would you call them fifty +francs?”</p> + +<p>“No, papa; but they would still be fifty.”</p> + +<p>“Here is one on the account, big animal,” said the +man, giving him a blow that resounded through the +house. The boy began to cry. I was enraged. If this +poor boy was stupid, it was not his fault.</p> + +<p>“This man,” said I, “does not merit my pity; he has +now, thanks to myself, enough to support himself and +family for the next eight days. I shall still make more +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</span>at to-morrow’s exhibition, and, after that, I return to my +masters, perhaps they will receive me kindly.”</p> + +<p>I withdrew from the window and refreshed myself with +a few fresh thistles that I saw growing on the edge of a +ditch. I then went to the stable, and, finding the best +places there already occupied by the horses, I modestly +took a corner that no one wanted. There I could reflect +at my ease, for nobody knew me, nobody troubled himself +about me. Towards night, Helen Hutfer entered +the stable to see if everything had been attended to, and, +perceiving me in my damp, obscure corner, without a +bed, hay or oats, she called one of the stable boys:</p> + +<p>“Ferdinand,” said she, “make a bed for this poor +donkey here on the damp ground, give him a measure of +oats and a bundle of hay, and see that he has water.”</p> + +<p>“Miss Helen,” replied Ferdinand, “you will ruin your +papa; you are too careful of everything. What difference +does it make whether this beast sleeps on a hard or +a good bed? It is a waste of straw, that!”</p> + +<p>“You don’t find me too careful or kind when it concerns +yourself, Ferdinand; I wish everything here to be +well treated, beasts as well as men.”</p> + +<p>“Although,” said Ferdinand, with a mischievous air, +“there are not a few men who could easily be taken for +beasts, notwithstanding they do walk on two legs.”</p> + +<p>“Wherefore we say: ‘Beast which eat hay,’” answered +Helen, smiling.</p> + +<p>“Oh! I would never give hay to you, miss, indeed! +You have the wit—the wit—and the mischief of a +monkey!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image211" style="max-width: 37.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image211.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “Ah! miss, I did not say you were a monkey.”—(Page <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_212"></a><a id="Page_213"></a>[Pg 213]</span></p> + +<p>“Thanks for the compliment, Ferdinand! What are +you then, if I am a monkey?”</p> + +<p>“Ah! Miss, I did not say you were a monkey; and if +I expressed myself badly, call me a donkey, a simpleton, +an owl.”</p> + +<p>“No, no, not so bad as that, Ferdinand, but only a +babbler who talks when he ought to work. Make a bed +for the donkey,” added she in a serious tone, “and feed +and water him.”</p> + +<p>She left the stable and Ferdinand complied with her +orders in a measure, grumbling all the while. He made +me a bed, giving me a few thrusts of the pitchfork as he +did so, ill-naturedly threw me a bundle of hay and a +handful of oats, and put a bucket of water beside me.</p> + +<p>Not being fastened I could easily have left the place, +but in pursuance of my good resolutions I preferred to +suffer a little and give on the morrow, my second, and +last exhibition for the benefit of the man I had wronged.</p> + +<p>Towards evening of the next day my master led me +out to a large square crowded with curious spectators; +I had been well advertised in the morning, the village +drummer having gone through the village at an +early hour crying out: “This evening at eight o’clock +there will be a grand exhibition of the learned donkey, +Mirliflore; it will take place in the square opposite the +school and mayor’s office.”</p> + +<p>I repeated all the preceding day’s tricks, and added +some dances executed with grace; I waltzed, I polkaed, +and, I played on Ferdinand the innocent trick of engaging +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</span>him to waltz by braying before him, and extending +my front hoof in invitation. He refused at first, but +when every one cried out: “Yes, yes, a waltz with a +donkey!” he darted into the circle laughing, and began +to cut a thousand capers that I imitated at my best.</p> + +<p>At last, feeling fatigued, I left Ferdinand caper alone, +and went as on the preceding day to get a pan. Not +finding any, I took between my teeth a basket without +a lid, and, as before, presented it to each one for a contribution. +It was soon so full that I had to empty it in +the blouse of my reputed master. I continued my begging, +and, when all had given me, I, making a profound +bow to the assembly again returned to my master, and +waited till he had counted the proceeds which amounted +to more than thirty-four francs. Thinking I had now +made sufficient reparation for the past, I felt at liberty +to return home, and consequently, after a parting salutation +to my master, I wedged my way through the +crowd, and started off in a trot.</p> + +<p>“Look there, your donkey has got away!” said Hutfer, +the inn-keeper.</p> + +<p>“How prettily he flies off,” said Ferdinand.</p> + +<p>My pretended master turned around, looked at me +anxiously, and called, “Mirliflore, Mirliflore;” but seeing +I paid no attention, he cried out most piteously:</p> + +<p>“Stop him, stop him, please! It is my bread, my living +he carries off; do run catch him, if you bring him +back I promise you another exhibition.”</p> + +<p>“Tell us where you got him, and how long you have +had him?” said a man named Clonet.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image215" style="max-width: 36.8125em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image215.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + The town crier.—(Page <a href="#Page_213">213</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_216"></a><a id="Page_217"></a>[Pg 217]</span></p> + +<p>“I have had him—since I owned him,” answered my +false master, somewhat embarrassed.</p> + +<p>“I know that,” said Clonet, “but how long have you +owned him?”</p> + +<p>The man was silent.</p> + +<p>“It appears to me,” added Clonet, “that I recognize +him, he is the image of Cadichon, the donkey of Herpiniere +castle; If I am not very much mistaken it is +Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>I was stopped. I heard a confused murmuring of +voices, I saw the trouble menacing my new master, who +suddenly dashed through the crowd, and followed by his +wife and son, darted off in the opposite direction to that +I had taken.</p> + +<p>Some wished to pursue him, but others said it was not +worth while, since I had escaped and the man had taken +nothing away with him but the silver, which was his own, +I having honestly made it for him.</p> + +<p>“And as to Cadichon,” said they, “give yourselves no +concern about him, he can find the road home, and moreover, +he will not let himself be taken unless he wishes +it.”</p> + +<p>The crowd dispersed and all returned to their homes. +I resumed my course hoping to reach my real masters +before night, but the way was long, and being fatigued +I was consequently obliged to stop about a league from the +castle. It was night, the stables would be locked, so I +decided to make my bed in a little piece of pine woods +bordering on a stream.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</span></p> + +<p>Scarcely had I lain down upon the moss, when I heard +cautious steps and voices speaking in a whisper. I +looked, but saw nothing, the night was too dark. I +listened with all my ears and heard the conversation I +am about to relate.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XXIV"> + XXIV. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE ROBBERS.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">It</span> is not late enough yet, Finot, it would be wiser to +hide ourselves in the woods a little longer.”</p> + +<p>“But Passe Partout, we must have a little daylight to +spy around; I, especially, for I have not studied the +entrances.”</p> + +<p>“You have never studied anything, your comrades +certainly made a mistake in naming you Finot, I would +have called you Pataud, instead.”</p> + +<p>“That does not prevent my being the originator of all +the good plans.”</p> + +<p>“Good plans indeed! that depends. What are we +going to do at the castle?”</p> + +<p>“What are we going to do? Rifle the kitchen garden, +cut up the artichokes, gather the peas, the beans, the +turnips, carrots, carry off the fruits, that is the work.”</p> + +<p>“And what then?”</p> + +<p>“Why do you say what then? We are going to collect +everything in a pile, get it over the wall, and take it +to the market at Moulins and sell it.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</span></p> + +<p>“And how will you get into the garden, dunce?”</p> + +<p>“Over the wall, with a ladder to be sure. Would you +have me go to the gardener and politely request the loan +of his keys and tools?”</p> + +<p>“That’s a poor joke, I only want to know if you have +marked out the place where we are to climb over the +wall?”</p> + +<p>“No, and for that reason, I prefer going at once, to +reconnoitre.”</p> + +<p>“And if they should see you, what would you say?”</p> + +<p>“I would say—that I came to beg a glass of cider and +a crust of bread.”</p> + +<p>“That plan is not worth much. Now, here is my idea: +I know the kitchen garden; one part of the wall needs +repairing; I can climb up there by setting my feet +among the stones; I shall find a ladder and pass it over +to you, as you are not very expert in climbing.”</p> + +<p>“No; I am not as much of a cat as you.”</p> + +<p>“But suppose some one comes to upset our plans?”</p> + +<p>“You are a real child; if any one comes to disturb +me, I shall know what to do.”</p> + +<p>“What would you do?”</p> + +<p>“If a dog, I would kill him; I don’t carry my sharp +knife to no purpose.”</p> + +<p>“But suppose it’s a man?”</p> + +<p>“‘A man?’” answered Finot, scratching his ear. +“That would be more perplexing—A man? yet a man +can be killed as well as a dog. If it were only for something +valuable but for vegetables! And, then, this castle +is full of people.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</span></p> + +<p>“But tell me, what would you do?”</p> + +<p>“My faith! I would make off as fast as possible; it +would be the safest plan.”</p> + +<p>“You are a coward, do you know that? If you see or +hear a man, you have only to call me, and I will settle +him.”</p> + +<p>“Act according to your own taste; it would not be +mine.”</p> + +<p>“Well, now we are agreed—this is the plan: To-night +we go to the kitchen garden wall; you remain at one +end as a guard, whilst I climb over and get you a ladder, +by means of which you rejoin me.”</p> + +<p>“Yes; it is all right,” answered Finot.</p> + +<p>Just then he looked anxiously around, listened, and +said in a whisper:</p> + +<p>“I heard something stir back there, could it be +anybody?”</p> + +<p>“Who wants to hide in the woods?” answered Passe +Partout. “You are always afraid; it may be a frog or +a snake.”</p> + +<p>They said no more. I did not stir again, and I now +began to devise some means of thwarting these robbers’ +plans and causing their arrest. I could warn no one; I +could not even prevent their entering the garden. However, +after much reflection, I thought of a scheme that +might end theirs. I let them set out ahead of me, +determined not to budge until they were out of hearing.</p> + +<p>I knew they could not walk fast, as the night was very +dark. I took a short cut, and, clearing several hedges, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</span>reached the wall long before them. I knew the dilapidated +place of which Passe Partout had spoken, and, +finding it, crouched as close as possible to the wall to +prevent their discovering me.</p> + +<p>Here I waited at least a quarter of an hour, still no +one came; at last, I heard heavy footsteps and then a +faint whispering. They approached very cautiously, one +coming towards the spot in which I was concealed (this +was Passe Partout), the other going in the opposite direction, +near the entrance (this was Finot).</p> + +<p>I saw nothing, but I heard all. When Passe Partout +reached the spot where several stones had fallen from the +wall, and thus made a sufficient resting place for the +feet, he began to ascend, assisting himself with his hands. +I did not stir; I scarcely breathed; I heard and understood +every one of his movements. When he had climbed +about as high as my head, I darted out from my hiding +place, seized him by the leg and gave him a vigorous +pull. Before he had time to recollect himself, he was on +the ground, stunned by the fall, wounded by the stones. +To prevent his crying out, or calling on his comrade for +help, I gave him a hard kick on the head, which left him +unconscious. I then took my station very near him, +thinking his comrade would soon come to see what had +happened. I had not waited long ere I heard Finot +advancing very cautiously. He took a few steps and +stopped—he listened, heard nothing—and went a few +steps farther. In this manner, he at length drew very +near his companion, but without perceiving it, as his +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</span>gaze was fixed upon the wall and the companion lay +motionless on the ground.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="image222" style="max-width: 45.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image222.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“Pst! pst! Have you the ladder? Must I mount +now?” said he, in a low voice. The other, not hearing +him, of course there was no answer. I saw that he was +not much in the notion of climbing and might leave—it +was time to act. I rushed at him, and, pulling him to +the ground by the back of his blouse, gave him, like his +companion, a hard kick on the head, and, with the same +success, he lay motionless near his friend. Then, having +nothing more to lose, I began to bray in my most formidable +voice; I ran to the gardener’s house, to the stables, +to the castle, braying with such violence that everybody +was aroused. Some of the bravest hastened out with +arms and lanterns; I ran up to them, and, by running a +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</span>little ahead, led them to the two robbers stretched at the +foot of the wall.</p> + +<p>“Two dead men! What can that mean?” said +William’s father.</p> + +<p>“They are not dead,” answered James’s father; “they +breathe.”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image223" style="max-width: 57.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image223.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“And I just heard one groan,” said the gardener.</p> + +<p>“Look at the blood! Such a wound on his head!” +said the coachman.</p> + +<p>“And the other is similarly wounded; it looks like +the kick of a horse or mule,” said William’s father.</p> + +<p>“Yes,” replied James’s father; “here is the mark of +the shoe on his forehead.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</span></p> + +<p>“What are the gentlemen’s orders?” asked the coachman; +“what shall we do with these men?”</p> + +<p>“Carry them to the house,” answered William’s father; +“harness up the cab, and go for the doctor; whilst waiting +for him, the rest of us will try to restore them to +consciousness.”</p> + +<p>The gardener brought a litter, on which the wounded +men were placed and carried to a large room used as an +orangery in winter. They were still unconscious.</p> + +<p>“I do not know these faces,” said the gardener, after +examining them attentively by the light.</p> + +<p>“Perhaps they have some papers about them that will +reveal their identity,” said Louis’s father; “we ought to +let their families know they are here and wounded.”</p> + +<p>The gardener rummaged in their pockets, and drew +forth some papers, which he handed James’s papa; then +two sharp, pointed knives and a big bunch of keys.</p> + +<p>“Ah! ah! This tells what these men are,” he +exclaimed, “they came to rob and perhaps kill!”</p> + +<p>“I begin to understand it all now,” said William’s +papa; “Cadichon’s presence and his extraordinary brayings +explain matters; these men came here to rob; +Cadichon instinctively divined their intentions, attacked +them, kicked them on the head, and then began braying +to arouse us.”</p> + +<p>“That is just it, the very thing,” said James’s papa; +“this brave Cadichon can boast of having rendered us a +great service; come, Cadichon, you are restored to favor +this time.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</span></p> + +<p>I was happy once more, as I promenaded up and down +before the green-house, whilst Finot and Passe Partout +received the necessary attentions. They had not yet +recovered consciousness, when Doctor Tudoux, who was +not long in making his appearance, reached the spot. +He examined their wounds.</p> + +<p>“Here are two well-directed blows,” said he; “I see +distinctly the mark of a small horse-shoe, or I might say +a donkey’s—and,” added he, perceiving me, “it is probably +a new piece of mischief on the part of this animal, +which seems as interested in our actions as if he understood +them.”</p> + +<p>“Not a piece of mischief, but an act of fidelity and +intelligence,” answered William’s papa; “these men are +robbers, as you see by the knives and papers found on +them.”</p> + +<p>And he began to read:</p> + +<p>“No. 1. Castle Herp. Many people; not easily robbed—kitchen +garden easy—vegetables and fruits, wall a +little high.”</p> + +<p>“No. 2. Presbytery. Old priest; no arms—woman +servant, old and deaf—Good chance to rob during Mass.”</p> + +<p>“No. 3. Sourval Castle. Master absent—Wife alone on +ground floor, servant in the second story, fine silver, +easily robbed. Kill if they give an alarm.”</p> + +<p>“No. 4. Chanday Castle. Fierce watch dogs to be +poisoned—no one on the ground floor—plate, gallery of +rich curiosities and jewels to rob. Kill if anybody +comes.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</span></p> + +<p>“You see,” continued he, “these men are burglars who +came to rifle our garden in default of something better. +Whilst you give them surgical attention, I will send to +the town for the chief of the police.”</p> + +<p>Drawing from his pocket a case of surgical instruments, +Doctor Tudoux took a lancet and bled the two +robbers, who soon opened their eyes. They were greatly +frightened at finding themselves in the castle and surrounded +by people. When entirely restored to consciousness, +they wished to speak.</p> + +<p>“Silence knaves,” said Doctor Tudoux slowly and +calmly. “Silence, there is no necessity for your telling us +who you are or what brought you here.”</p> + +<p>Finot put his hand in his vest; the papers were not +there, he sought his knife, it was also gone. He looked +at Passe Partout with a serious air and said in a low +voice:</p> + +<p>“I told you in the woods I heard a noise.”</p> + +<p>“Hush,” answered Passe Partout in the same tone, +“they will understand. We must deny everything.”</p> + +<p>“But the papers, they have them.”</p> + +<p>“We must say we found them.”</p> + +<p>“And the knives?”</p> + +<p>“We found them also, we must make a bold stand.”</p> + +<p>“Do you know who it was gave you that blow on the +head which stretched you senseless?”</p> + +<p>“My faith! I do not know, I had not time to see or +hear. I found myself on the ground and struck in a +trice.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</span></p> + +<p>“And I the same. We must find out however, if they +saw us climb the wall.”</p> + +<p>“We will indeed find out, those who attacked us, of +course, will tell how and why.”</p> + +<p>“That is true. Till then we must deny everything. +Just now, let us agree upon the details of our account, +so as not to contradict each other. First, were we journeying +together? Where did we find the—”</p> + +<p>“Separate these two men,” said Louis’s father, “they +are agreeing upon the tale they are to tell.”</p> + +<p>Two men seized Finot, and two, Passe Partout, bound +them hand and foot, in spite of their resistance, and carried +Passe Partout into another room.</p> + +<p>The night was far advanced, all were impatiently +awaiting the chief of the police. About daybreak he +arrived, and accompanied by four policeman, having been +told there was question of arresting two robbers. My +little masters’ fathers recounted all that had happened, +and produced the knives and papers found in the men’s +pockets.</p> + +<p>“This sort of a knife,” said the officer, “indicates dangerous +burglars, who murder to further their purposes. +Moreover, it is easy to learn from these papers, that they +had planned several robberies in the neighborhood. I +would not be at all surprised if these two men were not +Finot and Passe Partout, very hardened brigands escaped +from the galleys, and now the object of official pursuit +in several of the departments, where they have committed +numberless and audacious thefts. I am going to examine +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</span>them separately, you may assist at the examination +if you wish.”</p> + +<p>Saying this, he entered the room where Finot lay. +Looking at him an instant, he said:</p> + +<p>“Good morning, Finot! so you are taken at last.”</p> + +<p>Finot trembled and reddened, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>“Ah! Finot, so we have lost our tongue? Nevertheless, +it was voluble enough at the last trial.”</p> + +<p>“To whom were you speaking, sir,” said Finot looking +all around him, “there is no one here but myself.”</p> + +<p>“I know that very well, it is to yourself I am speaking.”</p> + +<p>“I do not know, sir, why you address me thus, I am +not acquainted with you.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, but I am acquainted with you, you are Finot, +an escaped criminal, condemned to the galleys for robbery +and assaults.”</p> + +<p>“You are mistaken, sir, I am not the person you pretend +to know so well.”</p> + +<p>“Then who are you, whence do you come, and where +were you going?”</p> + +<p>“I am a dealer in sheep and was on my way to a fair at +Moulins, to buy lambs.”</p> + +<p>“Indeed! and your companion, is he also a dealer in +sheep and lambs?”</p> + +<p>“I do not know, we had met but a few moments before +we were attacked and overcome by a band of robbers.”</p> + +<p>“And what about the papers in your pockets?”</p> + +<p>“I do not even know what they contain, we found +them not far from here, and had not time to examine +them.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</span></p> + +<p>“And the knives?”</p> + +<p>“The knives were with the papers.”</p> + +<p>“Really, you were lucky, to find and pick up so much +without being able to see, the night was very dark.”</p> + +<p>“It was mere chance. My comrade stepped upon +something that felt strange, we both stooped down, and +feeling around, found these papers and knives which we +divided.”</p> + +<p>“It is very unfortunate they were divided, for this +circumstance furnishes evidence sufficient to thrust each +of you in prison.”</p> + +<p>“You have no right to put us in prison, we are honest +men.”</p> + +<p>“That is just what we are to find out, and before very +long. Good day, Finot. Do not disturb yourself,” added +he, seeing that Finot attempted to rise from the bench. +“Men, give this man every attention, and keep him +under your eye, for he has already escaped us more than +once.”</p> + +<p>The officer retired, leaving Finot anxious and dejected.</p> + +<p>“If Passe Partout should only give the same account +as myself,” said Finot, “but it is mere chance that he +does.”</p> + +<p>Seeing the officer enter, Passe Partout felt that all +was lost; however, he tried to conceal his anxiety and +appear at ease, whilst the policeman looked at him +attentively.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</span></p> + +<p>“How do you happen to be here wounded and tied?” +said the officer.</p> + +<p>“I know nothing about it,” answered Passe Partout.</p> + +<p>“You certainly know who you are, where you were +going, by whom you were wounded.”</p> + +<p>“I know very well who I am, and where I was going, +but I do not know who brutally attacked me.”</p> + +<p>“Well then, we will proceed in order—who are +you?”</p> + +<p>“Is that your business? You have no right to ask +travelers who they are.”</p> + +<p>“I have so good a right, that I put thumb-screws on +those who refuse to answer, and take them to prison.”</p> + +<p>“I will begin again: who are you?”</p> + +<p>“I am a cider merchant.”</p> + +<p>“Your name if you please.”</p> + +<p>“Robert Partout.”</p> + +<p>“Where were you going?”</p> + +<p>“Just wherever I could buy cider.”</p> + +<p>“You were not alone, you had a companion?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, my partner in business, we attend to our affairs +together.”</p> + +<p>“And these papers in your pockets, do you know anything +about them?”</p> + +<p>“Ah!” said Passe Partout mentally, “he has read +these papers, and thinks he can catch me there, but I +will outwit him.”</p> + +<p>And then he added aloud:</p> + +<p>“Do I know anything about them? I certainly do. +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</span>You mean the papers the brigands lost, and which I +intended taking to the city police.”</p> + +<p>“How did you get these papers?”</p> + +<p>“We found them on the way, and having read them, +were so anxious to deliver them to the authorities, that +we continued our journey at night.”</p> + +<p>“And the knives that were found on you?”</p> + +<p>“The knives? we brought them to defend ourselves, +for we had been told there were robbers in this part of +the country.”</p> + +<p>“How and by whom were you and your companion +wounded?”</p> + +<p>“By robbers who came upon us without our seeing +them.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! Finot’s account is different from yours.”</p> + +<p>“Finot is so frightened that he has lost his memory, +you must not credit what he says.”</p> + +<p>“I do not believe what he says, any more than I +believe what you yourself tell me, friend Passe Partout, +for I am well acquainted with you, you have betrayed +yourself.”</p> + +<p>Passe Partout immediately perceived what a fool he +had been in recognizing his companion as Finot. It was +a nickname given him at the prison in derision of his +lack of cunning.</p> + +<p>As to Passe Partout, his real name was Partout. One +day as they were hurrying to the refectory, Finot exclaimed, +“Passe Partout,” and the name became a fixture. +He could deny matters no longer, still he would +not confess; but shrugging his shoulders said:</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</span></p> + +<p>“Because I am acquainted with Finot? It was no +harm to suppose you spoke of my companion. I thought +you called him Finot in derision.”</p> + +<p>“Well, that is good! twist that as you will; it is none +the less true, however, that you and your companion +were journeying together buying cider, that you found +these papers on the road, read them, and were carrying +them to the town to put them in the hands of the authorities—that +you bought the knives to defend yourselves +against robbers, that you were attacked and wounded by +these same robbers,—is not that the story?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes; that is, indeed, my account.”</p> + +<p>“Say, rather, your tale; for your companion has told +quite another story.”</p> + +<p>“What did he say?” anxiously inquired Passe +Partout.</p> + +<p>“It is not necessary for you to know just at present, +but when you are both in the convict prison he will tell +you.”</p> + +<p>And the officer went out of the room, leaving Passe +Partout in a state of rage and anxiety easily imagined.</p> + +<p>“Do you think, doctor, that these men are able to +walk to the town?” inquired the officer of Doctor +Tudoux.</p> + +<p>“I think they can get there, if you do not urge them +on too fast,” responded Doctor Tudoux, slowly. “Moreover, +should they even give out on the way, you could +easily send for a carriage and put them in it; but they +are badly kicked on the head, and might die in three or +four days.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image233" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image233.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + The officer on horseback rode beside the wagon.—(Page <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_234"></a><a id="Page_235"></a>[Pg 235]</span></p> + +<p>The officer was perplexed, for he was a kind man, and, +although the prisoners deserved no pity, he did not wish +to make them suffer unnecessarily. Mr. de Ponchat, +father of William and Henry, seeing his embarrassment, +proposed to harness up one of our conveyances. His +offer was gratefully accepted, and, when the vehicle was +brought to the door, Finot and Passe Partout were put +into it, each between two guards. Moreover, their feet +were tied to prevent their leaping out and escaping, and +the officer on horseback rode beside the wagon, never +losing sight of his prisoners. They soon disappeared, +and I remained alone before the house, eating grass and +impatiently awaiting my little masters, especially my +dear James, whom I longed to see. I knew that the +service I had just rendered would secure their pardon +for all past misdeeds.</p> + +<p>When, at last, it was a reasonable hour in the morning, +and everyone about the castle had arisen, dressed +and breakfasted, a group rushed down the front steps. +It was the children. All ran to me and caressed me to +my heart’s content, but the caresses of none were so +affectionate or so dear to me as those of little James.</p> + +<p>“My good Cadichon,” said he, “you have come back! +I was so sorry when you went away! You see my dear +Cadichon, that we still love you!”</p> + +<p>“He has really become good,” said Maud.</p> + +<p>“And he has lost that insolent air he used to have,” +said Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“And he bites his comrade and the watch dogs, no +longer,” said Elizabeth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</span></p> + +<p>“And he lets himself be saddled and bridled without +trouble,” said Louis.</p> + +<p>Helen—“And he doesn’t eat the bouquets, I hold in +my hand.”</p> + +<p>Ruth—“And he doesn’t kick any more when we +mount him.”</p> + +<p>William—“And he doesn’t run after my pony any +more to bite his tail.”</p> + +<p>James—“And he has saved all our fruits and vegetables +by causing the arrest of these robbers.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“And he has broken their hands with his +feet.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“But how could he cause the arrest of the +robbers?”</p> + +<p>William—“We do not know all the particulars, but +the household was aroused by his brayings. Papa, my +uncles and some servants went out, and saw Cadichon +galloping up and down from the house to the garden; +following him with lanterns till he came to the end of +the wall around the kitchen garden, they there found +these two men, unconscious whom they discovered to be +robbers.”</p> + +<p>James—“How could they tell these men were robbers? +do not robbers look and dress like us?”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“Indeed they are not like us! I have seen +a band of robbers, they wore pointed hats, and chestnut +colored mantles and they had such wicked countenances +and enormous mustaches.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! where did you see them and when?” exclaimed +all the children at once.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</span></p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“I saw them, last winter, at the Franconia +theatre.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“Ah! ah! ah! What nonsense! I thought +you meant real robbers, that you had met in some of +your travels, and I was astonished at never having heard +my uncle and aunt mention it.”</p> + +<p>“Certainly, sir, they were real robbers,” answered +Elizabeth quite piqued, “the soldiers fought against them, +and killed some and took some prisoners. There was +nothing funny about it; I was much frightened and some +of the poor soldiers were wounded.”</p> + +<p>William—“Ah! ah! ah! how silly you are! you saw +what we call a drama, which is played by paid men, who +repeat it every night.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“How can they repeat it when they are +killed?”</p> + +<p>William—“They only pretend to be killed or wounded, +they are as sound as you or I.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“How then did papa and my uncles know +these men were robbers?”</p> + +<p>William—“Because knives to kill people were found +in their pockets, and—”</p> + +<p>“But those knives to kill people, how are they made?” +interrupted James.</p> + +<p>William—“Like—like, all other knives.”</p> + +<p>James—“Then how could you tell that they were to +kill people? Perhaps they were to cut their bread?”</p> + +<p>William—“You worry me James, you always want to +understand everything, and you interrupted me, just as +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</span>I was going to tell you, that papers were found on them, +revealing their plans; it was all written down what they +were to do, steal our vegetables, and kill the priest and +many other people.”</p> + +<p>James—“And why were they not going to kill us?”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“Because they know papa and my uncles +are very brave, that they have pistols and guns, and also +that we all would have helped.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“You would be famous assistance, indeed, if +any one were to attack us.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“I would be as brave as you, sir, and I +would know very well how to pull the robbers by the +legs to prevent their killing papa.”</p> + +<p>Maud—“Come, come; don’t quarrel, but let William +tell us what he heard.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“It is not necessary for William to tell us +what we already know.”</p> + +<p>William—“Then why ask me how papa discovered that +these men were robbers?”</p> + +<p>“Masters William and Henry, master Alfred wants +you,” said the gardener, who had just brought the vegetables +for the kitchen.</p> + +<p>“Where is he?” asked William and Henry.</p> + +<p>“In the garden,” answered the gardener; “he dares +not come to the house, for fear of meeting Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>I sighed, as I thought that poor Alfred feared me not +without reason since the sad day I had treated him so +shamefully, almost drowning him in a filthy ditch, after +scratching him with briers and thorns, and nibbling the +pony’s tail until he was pitched over its head.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</span></p> + +<p>“I ought to make reparation,” said I; “what can I +do, what service can I render him to convince him that +he has no longer any reason to fear me?”</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XXV"> + XXV. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE REPARATION.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whilst</span> I vainly pondered a means of convincing +Alfred of my repentance, the children approached the +spot where I browsed and meditated at the same time. +I saw that Alfred kept at a distance and regarded me +with mistrust.</p> + +<p>William—“It is going to be warm to-day, and I don’t +think it will be pleasant to go far. It would be better +for us to remain in the shady park.”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“William is right, I have never regained my +strength since that spell of sickness which nearly +brought me to the grave, and consequently I am very +easily fatigued.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“You must owe Cadichon a grudge, since he +was the cause of your illness.”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“I do not believe he did it purposely, he was +probably frightened at something on the road, and jumped +aside, accidentally pitching me into that frightful ditch. +So I do not hate him, but—”</p> + +<p>William—“But what?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</span></p> + +<p>“But,” said Alfred, blushing slightly, “I would rather +not get on him again.”</p> + +<p>The poor boy’s generosity touched me, and increased +my regret at having treated him so badly.</p> + +<p>Maud and Beatrice now proposed to do some cooking. +The children had built in their garden an oven, which +they heated with dry wood, gathering it themselves, and +this proposition was joyfully received.</p> + +<p>They ran to get kitchen aprons and returned to their +garden prepared for work. Alfred and William brought +the wood; breaking each branch in two, they filled their +oven.</p> + +<p>Before kindling the fire, they held a consultation as to +what they should have for breakfast.</p> + +<p>“I wish an omelet,” said Maud.</p> + +<p>Beatrice—“I, coffee and whipped cream.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“I, cutlets.”</p> + +<p>William—“I, cold veal with vinegar sauce.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“I, potato salad.”</p> + +<p>James—“I, strawberries and cream.”</p> + +<p>Louis—“I, slices of bread and butter.”</p> + +<p>Helen—“I, grated sugar.”</p> + +<p>Ruth—“And I, cherries.”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“I will cut the bread, set the table, prepare +the wine and water, and help generally.”</p> + +<p>And each one went to the kitchen to get materials for +the desired dish. Maud brought eggs, butter, salt, pepper, +a fork and a frying pan.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image241" style="max-width: 37.0625em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image241.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + Alfred and William brought the wood.—(Page <a href="#Page_240">240</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“I must have some fire to melt my butter and cook +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_241"></a><a id="Page_242"></a><a id="Page_243"></a>[Pg 243]</span>my eggs,” said she. “Alfred, Alfred, some fire, if you +please.”</p> + +<p>“Where must I kindle it?”</p> + +<p>“Near the oven, be quick, I am beating my eggs.”</p> + +<p>“Alfred, Alfred,” called out Beatrice, “run to the +kitchen and get the coffee for the whipped cream, I forgot +it, be quick.”</p> + +<p>“I must kindle the fire for Maud.”</p> + +<p>“You can do that afterwards, run quick and get my +coffee, now it will not take you long, and I am in a +hurry.”</p> + +<p>Alfred started off in a run.</p> + +<p>“Alfred, Alfred,” said Elizabeth, “I must have some +embers and a gridiron for my cutlets; I have cut them +nicely.”</p> + +<p>Alfred, who ran with the coffee, set out again for the +gridiron.</p> + +<p>“I must have oil for my vinegar sauce,” said William.</p> + +<p>“And I, vinegar for my salad,” said Henry, “quick, +Alfred with the oil and vinegar.”</p> + +<p>Alfred who had just brought the gridiron, returned +for the vinegar and oil.</p> + +<p>“Oh! my fire!” said Maud, “is that how you light +it, Alfred? My eggs are beaten, you are going to make +me lose my omelet.”</p> + +<p>“My commissions have been so numerous, I have not +had time to light the fire.”</p> + +<p>“And the coals?” cried Elizabeth, “where are you, +Alfred? you have forgotten my coals!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</span></p> + +<p>“No, Elizabeth, I have not been able to get them, I +have been kept running.”</p> + +<p>“Hurry, Alfred, or I shall not have time to broil my +cutlets,” was the reply.</p> + +<p>“And I must have a knife to cut my slices of bread,” +said Louis, “bring a knife, quick, Alfred.”</p> + +<p>“I have no sugar for my strawberries, grate the sugar, +Helen, hurry,” said James.</p> + +<p>“I have grated till I am tired,” she answered, “I am +going to rest a little—I am so thirsty!”</p> + +<p>“Eat some cherries,” said Ruth, “I am thirsty, too.”</p> + +<p>“And so am I,” chimed in James, “I am going to +taste a few to refresh myself.”</p> + +<p>“I shall do the same,” added Louis, “it is very +fatiguing to cut bread.”</p> + +<p>And the four little ones surrounded the basket of +cherries.</p> + +<p>“Let us sit down,” said Ruth, “it will be more convenient +whilst refreshing ourselves.”</p> + +<p>They refreshed themselves so well that they ate every +cherry. When the basket was empty they looked +anxiously at one another.</p> + +<p>“They are all gone,” said Ruth.</p> + +<p>“We are going to get scolded,” answered Helen.</p> + +<p>“Oh! what shall we do?” inquired Louis, anxiously.</p> + +<p>“Ask Cadichon to come to our aid,” said James.</p> + +<p>“What do you want Cadichon to do?” replied Louis, +“he cannot make cherries appear in the basket when we +have eaten them all!”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</span></p> + +<p>“He might do what amounts to the same,” said James. +“Cadichon, my good Cadichon, come to our aid, see this +empty basket and try to fill it.”</p> + +<p>I was very near the four little gourmands.</p> + +<p>James put the empty basket under my nose to help +me understand what he wanted. I smelt it and started +off in a trot; going to the kitchen where I had seen some +one take a basket of cherries, I seized the basket between +my teeth, trotted off with it and deposited it in the +midst of the children, still seated around the stones and +stems in their plates.</p> + +<p>A cry of joy greeted my return. The others turned +around at this and inquired the meaning of it.</p> + +<p>“It is Cadichon! Cadichon!” exclaimed James.</p> + +<p>“Don’t tell,” said Ruth, “they will know then that we +ate up the other cherries.”</p> + +<p>“Well, suppose they do know it,” answered James, +“I wish them also to know how kind and intelligent +Cadichon is.”</p> + +<p>And running to them, he told how I had repaired +their greediness. Instead of scolding the four little +ones, they praised James’s frankness and bestowed the +highest eulogiums upon my intelligence.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile Alfred had kindled Maud’s fire, and +brought Elizabeth’s coals; Maud cooked her omelet, +Beatrice finished her cream, Elizabeth her cutlets, William +cut his veal in slices preparatory to making the +seasoning, Henry stirred and stirred his potato salad; +James made a mush of strawberries and cream, Louis +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</span>cut a pile of buttered bread, Helen grated sugar until +the sugar bowl was empty, Ruth picked over the basket +of cherries, whilst Alfred breathless and in a perspiration, +set the table, ran for fresh water to cool the wine, and +vessels of radishes, cucumbers, sardines and olives to +ornament the table. He had forgotten the salt, he +had not thought of the covers, glasses were wanting, +May bugs and gnats had fallen into the goblets and on +plates. When, at last, everything was ready and on the +table, Maud, clapping her hands to her forehead, +exclaimed:</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp65" id="image246" style="max-width: 46.4375em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image246.jpg" alt=""> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“Ah! We have forgotten one thing, to ask our +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</span>mammas’ permission to breakfast out-doors on a meal of +our own preparation.”</p> + +<p>“Let us go at once,” was the unanimous answer; +“Alfred will keep guard over the breakfast.”</p> + +<p>And, darting towards the house, they rushed into the +parlor, where their papas and mammas were assembled.</p> + +<p>The sudden appearance of all these children, red, +breathless, arrayed in kitchen aprons like scullions, quite +surprised their parents.</p> + +<p>Each one ran to his or her mamma, and asked the +required permission with such volubility that, at first, it +was impossible to know what they meant. After a few +questions and explanations, it was granted, and they +hastened back to Alfred and their breakfast. But Alfred +had disappeared.</p> + +<p>“Alfred! Alfred!” they cried.</p> + +<p>“Here I am, here I am,” answered a voice apparently +from the skies.</p> + +<p>Looking up, they perceived Alfred, perched in an oak +tree. He began to descend slowly and cautiously.</p> + +<p>“What made you climb up there?” said William and +Henry; “what a strange idea that was!”</p> + +<p>Alfred made no reply, but continued to get down, and +when he had reached the ground the children were surprised +to see him pale and trembling.</p> + +<p>“Why did you climb that tree, Alfred? what has happened +to you?” said Beatrice.</p> + +<p>“If it had not been for Cadichon, you would not have +found me or your breakfast either; I climbed the oak +tree to save my life.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</span></p> + +<p>“Do tell us what has happened!” said William; +“how could Cadichon save your life and our breakfast?”</p> + +<p>“Let us take our places at the table and listen whilst +we eat, I am dying of hunger,” said Maud.</p> + +<p>They seated themselves on the grass, around the table-cloth; +Maud helped to her omelet, which was excellent; +and Elizabeth, in turn, to her cutlets, which were very +nice, but cooked a little too much. The rest of the +breakfast followed, everything turning out quite satisfactorily. +Whilst they ate, Alfred recounted the following:</p> + +<p>“You had scarcely started ere the two big farm dogs, +attracted by the smell of food, came running to the spot. +I seized a stick, and, brandishing it before them, tried to +drive them off, but in vain; they could not resist the +sight of the cutlets, the omelet, the bread, the butter, the +cream; instead of flying from my stick, which they little +feared, they rushed at me; I threw the stick at the head +of the biggest, and it jumped on my back—”</p> + +<p>“How could it jump on your back?” said Henry; +“he went behind you, did he?”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Alfred, blushing; “but, having thrown +my stick at him, I had no means of defense, and you +can certainly understand the folly of my letting myself +be devoured by hungry dogs.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! I understand now,” replied Henry in a tone of +raillery, “it was you who turned upon your heel to +escape.”</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image249" style="max-width: 36.875em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image249.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + The other dog leaped at me.—(Page <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>“I was running to find you and the beasts were running +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_249"></a><a id="Page_250"></a><a id="Page_251"></a>[Pg 251]</span>after me, when Cadichon came to my assistance. +Seizing the biggest dog by the skin of the back, he shook +him well, whilst I sought safety by climbing a tree. +The other dog leaped at me, caught me by my clothes, +and would have torn me to pieces, had not Cadichon +rescued me from this animal also. Giving a good final +bite to the first dog, and throwing him up in the air +whence he fell a few steps farther off, bruised and bleeding, +Cadichon now seized the tail of the dog that held +me, which act freed me at once, for, of course, my assailant +immediately relinquished his hold. After pulling +him a little distance, Cadichon turned around with +incredible agility, and gave him a kick on the jaw bone that +must have broken several teeth. The two dogs went off +yelping, and I was about to descend when you came.”</p> + +<p>All admired my courage and presence of mind, and +came up to me, loading me with caresses and praises.</p> + +<p>“You see now for yourselves,” said James, with a +triumphant air and sparkling eyes, “that my friend Cadichon +has become excellent, I don’t know whether you +care for him or not, but I do more than ever. We will +always be the best of friends, won’t we Cadichon?”</p> + +<p>I did my best to respond with a joyful bray; the +children laughed and resuming their seats at the table, +continued their repast. Beatrice now served her cream.</p> + +<p>“That’s good cream!” said James.</p> + +<p>“I wish some more,” said Louis.</p> + +<p>“And I, and I,” cried Helen and Ruth. Beatrice was +much pleased with her success. Indeed, every dish had +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</span>given such satisfaction, that the table was entirely cleared. +Poor James, however, had a slight humiliation. His +charge was the strawberries and cream. He had sugared +his cream and poured it over the stemmed strawberries, +making a very nice looking dish. Unfortunately for him, +he finished before the others. Seeing there was plenty +of time, he concluded to improve it and his dish together, +by mashing the berries in the cream. He crushed and +he crushed, so long and so well, that the result was a +thick pap, quite nice to the taste, but very uninviting in +appearance.</p> + +<p>Then James’s turn arrived to serve the strawberries.</p> + +<p>“Oh! what are you giving me,” exclaimed Maud, +“what is it? red pap? What is it made of?”</p> + +<p>“It is not red pap,” answered James somewhat confused, +“it is strawberries and cream, and very nice, I +assure you, Maud; taste it, and you will see.”</p> + +<p>“Strawberries?” said Beatrice, “where are the strawberries? +I see none. This stuff looks disgusting.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! yes, it is disgusting,” echoed all the rest.</p> + +<p>“I thought they would be nicer crushed,” said poor +little James, his eyes full of tears. “But if you wish it, +I will go quickly and pick some more strawberries, and +get some cream from the house.”</p> + +<p>“No, no, James,” said Elizabeth, touched at his gentleness, +“your cream is, no doubt, very nice. Give me +some, I will eat it with great pleasure.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</span></p> + +<p>James’s face brightened, he kissed Elizabeth and helped +her most bountifully.</p> + +<p>The other children, softened like Elizabeth by James’s +mildness and good will, asked for some of his dish, and +all, after tasting, pronounced it excellent, much better +indeed than if the berries had been whole.</p> + +<p>Little James, who had been anxiously watching their +countenances as they tasted his cream, became radiant +when he saw the success of his invention; he partook of +it himself, and although not much remained for him, +there was enough to make him regret not having made +more.</p> + +<p>Breakfast over, they washed the dishes in a large tub, +that had been accidentally left out, and filled during the +night from the rainspout.</p> + +<p>This was not the least amusing part of the business, +and it was still in progress when the study bell sounded, +and their parents called them to their books. They +begged a quarter of an hour’s grace, to finish wiping +the dishes and putting them away. It was granted, and +before the expiration of the time, everything was carried +back to the kitchen, put in its place, the children at their +studies, and Alfred having said good-bye, was about to +start home.</p> + +<p>Before leaving, he called me to him, and seeing that I +approached, he ran to me, caressing and thanking me by +his words and pattings for the service I had rendered +him. I received this expression of gratitude with pleasure. +It confirmed me in the opinion that Alfred was +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</span>much better than I had at first judged him, that he was +neither revengeful nor malicious, and also, that if somewhat +cowardly and stupid, it was not his fault.</p> + +<p>I had occasion a few days afterwards to render him a +new service.</p> + + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="XXVII"> + XXVII. + <br> + <span class="fs80">THE BOAT.</span> + </h2> +</div> + +<p>James—“What a pity we cannot cook a breakfast +every day, as we did last week, it was so amusing!”</p> + +<p>Louis—“And what a good breakfast!”</p> + +<p>Maud—“The best thing to me was the potato salad and +veal with vinegar sauce.”</p> + +<p>Beatrice—“I know why very well; it is because your +mamma forbids you eating such things constantly.”</p> + +<p>“Very likely,” said Maud, laughing, “what we seldom +get to eat always appears best, especially when it is something +we like naturally.”</p> + +<p>William—“What shall we do to-day for amusement?”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“Sure enough, it is Thursday, we have holiday +until dinner.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“If we could get a mess of fish from the big +pond—”</p> + +<p>Maud—“What a splendid idea! we will have a dish +of fish for to-morrow, Friday!”</p> + +<p>Beatrice—“How will we fish? have we fishing lines?”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</span></p> + +<p>William—“We have hooks enough but we want rods.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“Shall we send one of the servants to the +village to buy them?”</p> + +<p>William—“They are not sold in the village, we would +have to send to the city and that is very far.”</p> + +<p>Maud—“Oh! here comes Alfred, perhaps they have +some lines at his house; and we can send some one on +the pony for them.”</p> + +<p>James—“I will ride over on Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“You cannot go so far alone.”</p> + +<p>James—“It is not far, only half a league.”</p> + +<p>“What is it, my friends, you are going to get with +Cadichon?” said Alfred as he came up.</p> + +<p>William—“Fishing lines; have you any, Alfred?”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“No; and there is no necessity for going so far; +with knives, we can make as many ourselves, as we +want.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“To be sure! why did we not think of it +before?”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“Come quick to the woods to cut them. Have +you knives? mine is in my pocket.”</p> + +<p>William—“I have an excellent one that Maud brought +me from London.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“And I also have one that Beatrice gave me.”</p> + +<p>James—“I have one.”</p> + +<p>Louis—“And I.”</p> + +<p>“Come along then,” said Alfred, “whilst we cut the +rods, you may strip off the bark and little twigs.”</p> + +<p>“And what shall we do in the meantime?” asked Maud, +Beatrice and Elizabeth.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</span></p> + +<p>“Make the other necessary preparations,” said William: +“get the bread, the worms, the hooks.”</p> + +<p>And they all dispersed, each one to his or her post.</p> + +<p>I then went very quietly towards the pond, and in +something over half an hour, the children arrived, running +each one with his line, and bringing the hooks and +other necessary appurtenances.</p> + +<p>“We must beat the water, must we not, to bring the +fish to the surface,” said Henry.</p> + +<p>William—“Just the contrary, we must keep quiet as +possible, for if we frighten the fish, they will all go down +to the bottom in the mud.”</p> + +<p>Maud—“I think a good way of attracting them, +would be to throw some crumbs of bread in the water.”</p> + +<p>Beatrice—“Yes, but not much; if we feed them plentifully, +they will not bite at the hooks.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“Let me do it, you prepare the hooks, whilst +I throw in the bread.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth took the bread, and at the first crumb she +threw, half a dozen fish pounced upon it. She repeated +the process, assisted by Louis, James, Helen and Ruth, +until the fish were surfeited and would eat no more.</p> + +<p>“I believe we have given them too much,” said Elizabeth +in an undertone to Louis and James.</p> + +<p>James—“What difference does that make? they will +eat the rest this evening or to-morrow.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“But they won’t bite at the bait now, +they are no longer hungry.”</p> + +<p>James—“Oh! oh! our cousins will be displeased.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</span></p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“Say nothing about it, they are busy with +their hooks; perhaps the fish will bite all the same.”</p> + +<p>“The lines are ready,” said William; “each of you +take one and cast it in the water.”</p> + +<p>They did so, and waited a few minutes in breathless +silence; the fish would not bite.</p> + +<p>Alfred—“This is not a good place, let us go farther.”</p> + +<p>Helen—“I believe there are no fish here, look at those +bread crumbs not eaten.”</p> + +<p>Maud—“Let us go to the end of this pond, near the +boat.”</p> + +<p>William—“The water is very deep there.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“What difference does that make? Are +you afraid the fish will be drowned?”</p> + +<p>William—“Not the fish, but one of us might fall in.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“How would we fall in? we are not going +near enough to the edge to slip or roll in.”</p> + +<p>William—“Very true, but for all that, I do not wish +the little ones to go there.”</p> + +<p>James—“Oh! yes, William, do let me go with you? +we will keep at a distance from the water.”</p> + +<p>William—“No, no, stay where you are; we will soon +be back, for I don’t think we will find any more fish +there than here. Moreover,” he added, lowering his voice, +“it is your fault we have caught none, you gave the fish +ten times too much bread, I saw the whole thing; I do +not wish to tell Henry, Alfred, Maud and Beatrice, but +it is only right that you should be punished for your +thoughtlessness.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</span></p> + +<p>James insisted no more, but told the other little culprits +what William had said. They resigned themselves +to remain where they were, and continued to throw their +lines, still wishing the fish would bite, and still meeting +with no success.</p> + +<p>I had followed William, Henry and Alfred to the end +of the pond. They also cast their lines, but it was of no +use; in vain did they move, and change their hooks, the +fish would not bite.</p> + +<p>“Friends,” said Alfred, “I have an excellent idea, +instead of worrying ourselves waiting for the fish to come +to us, let us fish on a big scale, and take fifteen or twenty +at a time.”</p> + +<p>William—“How can we take fifteen or twenty at a +time, when we have not taken one yet?”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“With a sweep-net.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“But it is very difficult to manage; papa +says, one must understand it.”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“Difficult! what nonsense! I have cast the +sweep-net myself ten, yes, twenty times! It is very +easy.”</p> + +<p>William—“Did you take many fish?”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“I did not take any because I did not cast it +in the water.”</p> + +<p>Henry—“Where then, and how did you cast it, if not +in the water?”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“On the grass or the ground, only to learn +how.”</p> + +<p>William—“But that is not the same thing at all, I am +sure you would cast it very awkwardly on the water.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</span></p> + +<p>Alfred—“Awkwardly! Do you really think that? I +will convince you of the contrary. I am going to get the +sweep-net which lies in the yard, drying in the sun.”</p> + +<p>William—“Please don’t Alfred, if anything should +happen, papa would scold.”</p> + +<p>Alfred—“And what can happen? I tell you, that at +home, we always fish with it. I am going, wait for +me, I’ll not be long.”</p> + +<p>And away ran Alfred, leaving William and Henry +anxious and dissatisfied. He soon returned dragging the +sweep-net after him.</p> + +<p>“Here it is,” said he, spreading it out on the ground. +“Now fish, beware!”</p> + +<p>He cast the net with tolerable dexterity, and began to +draw it in cautiously and slowly.</p> + +<p>“Draw it in faster,” said Henry, “we will never finish +at that rate.”</p> + +<p>“No, no,” replied Alfred, “it must be drawn very +gently, so as not to break the meshes and let the fish +escape.”</p> + +<p>He continued to draw it “very gently,” as he said, +but only to find it empty, not one fish had been caught.</p> + +<p>“Oh!” said he, “the first time does not count, we +must not be discouraged, let us commence again.”</p> + +<p>He did commence again, and succeeded no better the +second time than the first.</p> + +<p>“I know what is the matter,” said he, “I am too near +the edge of the pond, the water is not deep enough here, +I am going to get in the boat, which is very long, consequently, +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</span>the farther end of it will give me sufficient +depth of water to unfold my net.”</p> + +<p>“No, Alfred,” said William, “keep away from the +boat; you may get that sweep-net entangled in the oars, +or cordages and have an upset.”</p> + +<p>“William, you are just like a two year old baby,” +replied Alfred, “for my part I have more courage, you’ll +see the result.”</p> + +<p>And he darted into the boat, which swayed from side to +side. Although he pretended to laugh, Alfred was really +afraid, and I saw that he would inevitably make a blunder, +or do some mischief. He unfolded and spread out his net, +notwithstanding the motion of the boat; but his knees +shook under him and his hands were unsteady. Self-love, +however, urged him on, and he cast the net. But the +movement being arrested by his fear of falling, the net +caught on his left shoulder, and gave him such a jerk that +he fell headlong into the water. William and Henry +uttered a scream of terror, in unison with that which +escaped the unfortunate boy as he fell. Being enveloped +in the net which crippled all his movements, his efforts to +regain the shore were in vain. The more he struggled, +the more entangled he became in the net. I saw him +gradually sinking, a few minutes more and he would have +been beyond hope. William and Henry could give him +no assistance, neither of them knowing how to swim, +and before they could have run for help, Alfred must +certainly have perished.</p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image261" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image261.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + I climbed the very steep bank, still dragging Alfred.—(Page <a href="#Page_263">263</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p>I decided upon my part at once; resolutely plunging +<span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_261"></a><a id="Page_262"></a><a id="Page_263"></a>[Pg 263]</span>into the water, I swam towards him, and diving (for he +had already sunk considerably beneath the surface), I +seized with my teeth the net which enveloped him. +Then swimming back, pulling it after me, I climbed +the very steep bank, still dragging Alfred (no doubt giving +him a few bruises on the stones and roots in our path,) +and laid him on the grass, motionless and unconscious.</p> + +<p>William and Henry, pale and trembling, ran to him, +and with considerable difficulty, succeeded in ridding him +of the net which was wrapped around him. They then +sent Maud and Beatrice to the house for help.</p> + +<p>The little ones, who, from a distance had seen Alfred +fall, also came running to the spot, and assisted William +and Henry to wipe his face and dripping hair. The servants +soon appeared, and lifting the unconscious Alfred +from the grass carried him to the house. The other +children remained with me.</p> + +<p>“You splendid Cadichon!” exclaimed James, “it was +you who saved Alfred’s life! Did you all see how courageously +he plunged into the water?”</p> + +<p>Louis—“Yes, certainly, and how he dived to get hold +of Alfred.”</p> + +<p>Elizabeth—“And how carefully he drew Alfred to the +shore.”</p> + +<p>James—“Poor Cadichon! how wet he is!”</p> + +<p>Helen—“Don’t go near him James, you will get your +clothes wet, just look how the water drips off of him.”</p> + +<p>“Ah! bah! what difference does it make if I am a +little wet?” answered James, putting his arms around +my neck, “I shall not be as wet as Cadichon.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</span></p> + +<p>Louis—“Instead of hugging him and paying him +compliments, you had better take him to the stable, and +let us rub him down with a little straw, and then give +him some oats to warm him up and revive him.”</p> + +<p>James—“That is true, you are right. Come, my +Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>I followed James and Louis who went towards the +stable, making me a sign to follow them. Both began to +rub me down with such vehemence that they were soon +in a perspiration, but for all that, neither of them would +stop until I was dry. Meanwhile, Helen and Ruth +employed themselves combing and brushing my tail and +mane. I was superb when they had all finished, and I +partook with extraordinary appetite, of the oats which +James and Louis gave me.</p> + +<p>“Helen,” said little Ruth in a low tone to her cousin, +“Cadichon has a great quantity of oats, he has too many.”</p> + +<p>Helen—“That’s no matter, Ruth; he has been very +good, and we have given him the oats as a reward.”</p> + +<p>Ruth—“I would like to have a few of his oats myself.”</p> + +<p>Helen—“For what?”</p> + +<p>Ruth—“To give our poor rabbits, that love oats so +much, and never get any.”</p> + +<p>Helen—“If James and Louis see you taking oats from +Cadichon, they will scold.”</p> + +<p>Ruth—“They shall not see me, I will wait until they +are not looking.”</p> + +<p>Helen—“Then you will be a thief, for you would be +stealing oats from poor Cadichon, who cannot complain, +because he cannot speak.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image265" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image265.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + Ruth ran joyously to her rabbits.—(Page <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_266"></a><a id="Page_267"></a>[Pg 267]</span></p> + +<p>“So I would,” said Ruth sadly, “My poor rabbits +would be too glad to have a few oats.” And she seated +herself near my trough and watched me as I ate.</p> + +<p>“Why are you sitting there, Ruth?” asked Helen. +“Come with me to inquire for Alfred.”</p> + +<p>“No,” said Ruth, “I would rather wait till Cadichon +finishes eating, so that if he leaves any oats, I can take +them for my rabbits without stealing.”</p> + +<p>Helen insisted, but Ruth refused to go, and Helen at +last went off with her cousins.</p> + +<p>I ate slowly, wishing to see if Ruth would yield even +once to the temptation of regaling her rabbits at my +expense. From time to time she looked in the trough.</p> + +<p>“How he eats,” said she, “he will never finish—he +cannot be hungry, for he is always eating—the oats are +disappearing, if he would leave only a few, I should be +so delighted.”</p> + +<p>I could easily have eaten all that was before me, but +the poor little girl excited my pity. She touched nothing +in spite of her desire to regale the rabbits. Pretending +to have enough, I quit my trough, leaving the half of +my oats; Ruth uttered a cry of joy, leaped to her feet, +and taking the oats by the handful emptied them into +her black taffetta apron.</p> + +<p>“Oh! how kind you are, how obliging you are, my +dear good Cadichon,” said she. “I never saw such a +donkey as you—It is very genteel not to be a glutton—Everybody +loves you because you are good—The rabbits +will be so pleased! I will tell them, it was you that gave +them their oats.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</span></p> + +<p>And Ruth who had finished gathering up the oats and +putting them in her apron, ran joyously to her rabbits. +I saw her reach their little house, and I heard her tell +them how good I was, that I was not the least bit of a +glutton—that they must follow my example, and as I +had left some oats for them, so ought they to leave some +for the little birds.</p> + +<p>“I will soon return,” said she, “to see if you are as +good as Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>She shut their door and ran to join Helen.</p> + +<p>Following her to hear something from Alfred, I was +delighted on approaching the castle, to see him seated +on the grass with his friends. He arose, and coming +to me, covered me with caresses.</p> + +<p>“Here is my deliverer,” said he; “but for him I would +have died, I became unconscious at the very moment, +when Cadichon having seized the net, began to draw me +to land; but I have a distinct recollection of seeing him +plunge in the water and dive to save me. I shall never +forget the service he has rendered me, and I shall never +come here without speaking to Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>“That is right, Alfred,” said the grandmother. “He +who has a good heart, is no less grateful to the lower +animals than to men. As for me, I shall always remember +Cadichon’s services, and happen what will, I am +determined never to part with him.”</p> + +<p>“But grandmother,” said Maud, “a few months ago +you talked of sending him to the mill. He would have +been very miserable there.”</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</span></p> +<br> + +<figure class="figcenter illowp85" id="image269" style="max-width: 62.5em;"> + <img class="w100" src="images/image269.jpg" alt=""> + <figcaption> + “Here is my deliverer.”—(Page <a href="#Page_268">268</a>.) + </figcaption> +</figure> +<br> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a id="Page_270"></a><a id="Page_271"></a>[Pg 271]</span></p> + +<p>“Yes, dear child, but I did not send him; I did think +of it, it is true, after the trick he played Alfred, both +because of it, and the numberless complaints from everyone +on the place. But I decided to keep him in +acknowledgment of his former services, and I now say, +that not only shall he remain, but everything shall be +done to render him comfortable and happy.”</p> + +<p>“Oh! thanks, grandma, thanks,” exclaimed James, +throwing his arms around his grandmother’s neck and +almost pulling her to the ground. “Let me be the one +to take charge of my dear Cadichon, I shall love him +and he will love me more than he does any one else.”</p> + +<p>“Why, my little James, do you wish Cadichon to care +more for you than for the others? That is not right.”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, grandma, it is right, for I love him more +than they do, and besides, when he was bad, and everybody +displeased with him, I still cared a little for him, +indeed, I might say, a great deal,” he added, laughing, +“Isn’t it so, Cadichon?”</p> + +<p>I answered by coming up to him and laying my head +on his shoulders. Everybody laughed and James continued:</p> + +<p>“Now, cousins, are you willing for Cadichon to love +me more than he does you?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, yes,” they all answered, laughing.</p> + +<p>“And haven’t I always cared more for him than the +rest of you have?”</p> + +<p>“Yes, yes, yes,” was the unanimous reply.</p> + +<p>“You see, grandma, that since it was I who brought +<span class="pagenum" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</span>Cadichon here, and it is I who love him best, it is only +fair that he should love me best.”</p> + +<p>“I can say no more, dear child,” said the grandmother, +smiling, “but you cannot take care of him when you +are not here.”</p> + +<p>“But I shall always be here, grandma,” said James, +eagerly.</p> + +<p>“No, my dear child, you will not always be here, for +your papa and mamma take you away when they go.”</p> + +<p>James became pensive and sad, he put his arm upon +my neck and rested his head on his hand. Suddenly his +face brightened.</p> + +<p>“Grandma,” said he, “will you give me Cadichon?”</p> + +<p>“I will give you whatever you wish, my dear little +one, but I cannot let you take him to Paris with you.”</p> + +<p>“No, to be sure not; but then he will belong to me, +and when papa has a castle we will take Cadichon.”</p> + +<p>“I give him to you on that condition, my child, meanwhile +he will stay here where in all probability he will +outlive me. Do not forget then that Cadichon is yours, +and to you is entrusted the charge of making him comfortable +and happy.”</p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> + <h2 class="nobreak" id="Conclusion"> + Conclusion.</h2> +</div> + +<p> + From that day my little master James seemed to love + me more than ever, whilst I, in turn, did my very best + to make myself useful and agreeable, not only to him, + but to everyone about the place. I had no reason to + repent of my reformation, for it gained me the esteem + and affection of all. I continued to watch over the + children, preserving them from several accidents, and + protecting them against bad people and wicked animals.</p> +<p> + Alfred was often at the castle, and he never forgot his + promised visit to me, always bringing me some delicacy, + an apple, a pear, bread and salt of which I was particularly + fond, a handful of lettuce or some carrots—always + something that he knew I fancied, which fully convinced + me how much mistaken I had been in my former + opinion of the poor boy, believing him bad, when he was + only a little foolish and vain.</p> +<p> + The idea of writing the story of my adventures was + prompted by a series of conversations between Henry + and his cousins; Henry always maintaining that I did + not understand what I did nor why I did it, his cousins, + James especially, as stoutly asserting the contrary. I + profited by a very severe winter, which did not permit of + my remaining out-doors, to jot down some of the most + important events of my life. They may amuse you, + perhaps, my young friends; at any rate, they will teach + you, that if you wish faithful service, you must treat + kindly those who serve you—that they who appear the + most stupid are not always so—that a donkey like + everything else, has a heart to love his masters and + suffer from bad treatment, a will to be revenged or to + show his affection—that it depends upon his masters to + make him either happy or unhappy, a friend or an + enemy, poor donkey as he is. I, myself, am very happy, + loved by every one, and cared for as a friend by my little + master James. I am beginning to grow old, but we + donkeys sometimes live a long time, and just as long as + I am able to walk and be of any use whatever, my services + are at the disposal of my masters.</p> +<br> +<br> + +<p class="center no-indent fs80 wsp">THE END.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</span></p> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<p class="center no-indent wsp fs80"> + <span class="smcap">John B. Piet,</span><br> + <span class="smcap">Publisher and Printer,</span><br> + <span class="smcap">Baltimore.</span> +</p> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter"> +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 85%"> +<img src="images/backcover.jpg" alt="" data-role="presentation"> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="chap x-ebookmaker-drop"> +<div class="chapter transnote"> + <h2 class="nobreak bold fs150" id="Transcribers_Notes"> + Transcriber’s Notes + </h2> + +<table class="autotable"> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 26 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +As he eat, his tears ceased to flow +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +As he ate, his tears ceased to flow +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 45 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +“Madamoiselle,” said she, “your mama has sent for you +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +“Mademoiselle,” said she, “your mama has sent for you +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 54 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +support the fatiques and privations I have endured +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +support the fatigues and privations I have endured +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 72 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +Isn’t he good, grandma, isn’t he? and musn’t we keep him? +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +Isn’t he good, grandma, isn’t he? and mustn’t we keep him? +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 72 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +but she does not own him, he belengs to nobody +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +but she does not own him, he belongs to nobody +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 84 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +and before they killed you,” answerd Beatrice +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +and before they killed you,” answered Beatrice +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 115 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +Laughing at the young gunners’ discomfitted air +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +Laughing at the young gunners’ discomfited air +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 139 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +No, you havn’t, the godfather has the best right +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +No, you haven’t, the godfather has the best right +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 175 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +This unusual noise attracked the attention of all +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +This unusual noise attracted the attention of all +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 175 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +young and old, had decended and formed a circle +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +young and old, had descended and formed a circle +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 179 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +money necessary for their subsistance +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +money necessary for their subsistence +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 188 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +must we not, dear ones?” sad Elizabeth. +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +must we not, dear ones?” said Elizabeth. +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 193 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +He is better,” exlaimed James +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +He is better,” exclaimed James +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 199 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +and indulged in penitent reflexions +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +and indulged in penitent reflections +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 199 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +then pass my beautful ornamented bridle +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +then pass my beautiful ornamented bridle +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 202 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +in reparation of the wrong I dad done him +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +in reparation of the wrong I had done him +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 213 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +I waltzed, I polkied, and, I played on Ferdinand +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +I waltzed, I polkaed, and, I played on Ferdinand +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 214 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +How prettily he files off,” said Ferdinand +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +How prettily he flies off,” said Ferdinand +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 227 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +where they have commited numberless and audacious thefts +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +where they have committed numberless and audacious thefts +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 228 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +you may assist at the exemination +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +you may assist at the examination +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 230 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +Just wherever I could by cider +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +Just wherever I could buy cider +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 231 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +a nickname given him at the prison in dirision +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +a nickname given him at the prison in derision +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 251 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +and I was about to decend when you came +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +and I was about to descend when you came +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 253 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +there was enought to make him regret +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +there was enough to make him regret +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> + +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> + +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +pg 260 Changed: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +his left shoulder, and gave him sech a jerk +</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdr"> +To: +</td> +<td class="tdlx"> +his left shoulder, and gave him such a jerk +</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<br> +<br> +<div style='text-align:center'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78917 ***</div> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/78917-h/images/backcover.jpg b/78917-h/images/backcover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..b43867e --- /dev/null +++ b/78917-h/images/backcover.jpg diff --git a/78917-h/images/cover.jpg b/78917-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..79eae8c --- /dev/null +++ b/78917-h/images/cover.jpg diff --git a/78917-h/images/frontis.jpg b/78917-h/images/frontis.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..07c9587 --- /dev/null +++ b/78917-h/images/frontis.jpg diff --git a/78917-h/images/image002.jpg b/78917-h/images/image002.jpg Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..0f70d23 --- /dev/null +++ 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