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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Lost Child + 1894 + +Author: François Edouard Joachim Coppée + +Translator: J. Matthewman + +Release Date: October 17, 2007 [EBook #23063] +Last Updated: January 26, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST CHILD *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE LOST CHILD + </h1> + <h2> + By François Edouard Joachim Coppée + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h4> + Translated by J. Matthewman <br /> <br /> Copyright, 1894, by The Current + Literature Publishing Company. + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + On that morning, which was the morning before Christmas, two important + events happened simultaneously—the sun rose, and so did M. + Jean-Baptiste Godefroy. + </p> + <p> + Unquestionably the sun, illuminating suddenly the whole of Paris with its + morning rays, is an old friend regarded with affection by everybody, It is + particularly welcome after a fortnight of misty atmosphere and gray skies, + when the wind has cleared the air and allowed the sun's rays to reach the + earth again. Besides all of which the sun is a person of importance. + Formerly, he was regarded as a god, and was called Osiris, Apollyon, and I + don't know what else. But do not imagine that because the sun is so + important he is of greater influence than M. Jean-Baptiste Godefroy, + millionaire banker, director of the <i>Comptoir Général de Crédit</i>, + administrator of several big companies, deputy and member of the General + Counsel of the Eure, officer of the Legion of Honor, etc., etc. And + whatever opinion the sun may have about himself, he certainly has not a + higher opinion than M. Jean-Baptiste Godefroy has of <i>him</i>self. So we + are authorized to state, and we consider ourselves justified in stating, + that on the morning in question, at about a quarter to eight, the sun and + M. Jean-Baptiste Godefroy rose. + </p> + <p> + Certainly the manner of rising of these two great powers mentioned was not + the same. The good old sun began by doing a great many pretty actions. As + the sleet had, during the night, covered the bare branches of the trees in + the boulevard Malesherbes, where the <i>hôtel</i> Godefroy is situated, + with a powdered coating, the great magician sun amused himself by + transforming the branches into great bouquets of red coral. At the same + time he scattered his rays impartially on those poor passers-by whom + necessity sent out, so early in the morning, to gain their daily bread, He + even had a smile for the poor clerk, who, in a thin overcoat, was hurrying + to his office, as well as for the <i>grisette</i>, shivering under her + thin, insufficient clothing; for the workman carrying half a loaf under + his arm, for the car-conductor as he punched the tickets, and for the + dealer in roast chestnuts, who was roasting his first panful. In short, + the sun gave pleasure to everybody in the world. M. Jean-Baptiste + Godefroy, on the contrary, rose in quite a different frame of mind. On the + previous evening he had dined with the Minister for Agriculture. The + dinner, from the removal of the <i>potage</i> to the salad, bristled with + truffles, and the banker's stomach, aged forty-seven years, experienced + the burning and biting of pyrosis. So the manner in which M. Jean-Baptiste + Godefroy rang for his valet-de-chambre was so expressive that, as he got + some warm water for his master's shaving, Charles said to the + kitchen-maid: + </p> + <p> + "There he goes! The monkey is barbarously ill-tempered again this morning. + My poor Gertrude, we're going to have a miserable day." + </p> + <p> + Whereupon, walking on tiptoe, with eyes modestly cast down, he entered the + chamber of his master, opened the curtains, lit the fire, and made all the + necessary preparations for the toilet with the discreet demeanor and + respectful gestures of a sacristan placing the sacred vessels on the altar + for the priest. + </p> + <p> + "What sort of weather this morning?" demanded M. Godefroy curtly, as he + buttoned his undervest of gray swandown upon a stomach that was already a + little too prominent. + </p> + <p> + "Very cold, sir," replied Charles meekly. "At six o'clock the thermometer + marked seven degrees above zero. But, as you will see, sir, the sky is + quite clear, and I think we are going to have a fine morning." + </p> + <p> + In stropping his razor, M. Godefroy approached the window, drew aside one + of the hangings, looked on the boulevard, which was bathed in brightness, + and made a slight grimace which bore some resemblance to a smile. + </p> + <p> + It is all very well to be perfectly stiff and correct, and to know that it + is bad taste to show feeling of any kind in the presence of domestics, but + the appearance of the roguish sun in the middle of December sends such a + glow of warmth to the heart that it is impossible to disguise the fact. So + M. Godefroy deigned, as before observed, to smile. If some one had + whispered to the opulent banker that his smile had anything in common with + that of the printer's boy, who was enjoying himself by making a slide on + the pavement, M. Godefroy would have been highly incensed. But it really + was so all the same; and during the space of one minute this man who was + so occupied by business matters, this leading light in the financial and + political worlds, indulged in the childish pastime of watching the + passers-by, and following with his eyes the files of conveyances as they + gaily rolled in the sunshine. + </p> + <p> + But pray do not be alarmed. Such a weakness could not last long. People of + no account, and those who have nothing to do, may be able to let their + time slip by in doing nothing. It is very well for women, children, poets, + and riffraff. M. Godefroy had other fish to fry; and the work of the day + which was commencing promised to be exceptionally heavy. From half-past + eight to ten o'clock he had a meeting at his office with a certain number + of gentlemen, all of whom bore a striking resemblance to M. Godefroy. Like + him, they were very nervous; they had risen with the sun, they were all <i>blasés</i>, + and they all had the same object in view—to gain money. After + breakfast (which he took after the meeting), M. Godefroy had to leap into + his carriage and rush to the Bourse, to exchange a few words with other + gentlemen who had also risen at dawn, but who had not the least spark of + imagination among them. (The conversations were always on the same subject—money.) + From there, without losing an instant, M. Godefroy went to preside over + another meeting of acquaintances entirely void of compassion and + tenderness. The meeting was held round a baize-covered table, which was + strewn with heaps of papers and well provided with ink-wells. The + conversation again turned on money, and various methods of gaining it. + After the aforesaid meeting he, in his capacity of deputy, had to appear + before several commissions (always held in rooms where there were + baize-covered tables and ink-wells and heaps of papers). There he found + men as devoid of sentiment as he was, all utterly incapable of neglecting + any occasion of gaining money, but who, nevertheless, had the extreme + goodness to sacrifice several hours of the afternoon to the glory of + France. + </p> + <p> + After having quickly shaved he donned a morning suit, the elegant cut and + finish of which showed that the old beau of nearly fifty had not ceased + trying to please. When he shaved he spared the narrow strip of + pepper-and-salt beard round his chin, as it gave him the air of a + trust-worthy family man in the eyes of the Arrogants and of fools in + general. Then he descended to his cabinet, where he received the file of + men who were entirely occupied by one thought—that of augmenting + their capital. These gentlemen discussed several projected enterprises, + all of them of considerable importance, notably that of a new railroad to + be laid across a wild desert. Another scheme was for the founding of + monster works in the environs of Paris, another of a mine to be worked in + one of the South American republics. It goes without saying that no one + asked if the railway would have passengers or goods to carry, or if the + proposed works should manufacture cotton nightcaps or distil whisky; + whether the mine was to be of virgin gold or of second-rate copper: + certainly not. The conversation of M. Godefroy's morning callers turned + exclusively upon the profits which it would be possible to realize during + the week which should follow the issue of the shares. They discussed + particularly the values of the shares, which they knew would be destined + before long to be worth less than the paper on which they were printed in + fine style. + </p> + <p> + These conversations, bristling with figures, lasted till ten o'clock + precisely, and then the director of the <i>Comptoir Général de Crédit</i>, + who, by the way, was an honest man—at least, as honest as is to be + found in business—courteously conducted his last visitor to the head + of the stairway. The visitor named was an old villain, as rich as Croesus, + who, by a not uncommon chance, enjoyed the general esteem of the public; + whereas, had justice been done to him, he would have been lodging at the + expense of the State in one of those large establishments provided by a + thoughtful government for smaller delinquents; and there he would have + pursued a useful and healthy calling for a lengthy period, the exact + length having been fixed by the judges of the supreme court. But M. + Godefroy showed him out relentlessly, notwithstanding his importance—it + was absolutely necessary to be at the Bourse at 11 o'clock—and went + into the dining-room. + </p> + <p> + It was a luxuriously furnished room. The furniture and plate would have + served to endow a cathedral. Nevertheless, notwithstanding that M. + Godefroy took a gulp of bicarbonate of soda, his indigestion refused to + subside, consequently the banker could only take the scantiest breakfast—that + of a dyspeptic. In the midst of such luxury, and under the eye of a + well-paid butler, M. Godefroy could only eat a couple of boiled eggs and + nibble a little mutton chop. The man of money trifled with dessert—took + only a crumb of Roquefort—not more than two cents' worth. Then the + door opened and an overdressed but charming little child—young + Raoul, four years old—the son of the company director, entered the + room, accompanied by his German nursery governess. + </p> + <p> + This event occurred every day at the same hour—a quarter to eleven, + precisely, while the carriage which was to take the banker to the Bourse + was awaiting the gentleman who had only a quarter of an hour to give to + paternal sentiment. It was not that he did not love his son. He did love + him—nay, he adored him, in his own particular way. But then, you + know, business <i>is</i> business. + </p> + <p> + At the age of forty-two, when already worldly-wise and <i>blasé</i>, he + had fancied himself in love with the daughter of one of his club friends—Marquis + de Neufontaine, an old rascal—a nobleman, but one whose card-playing + was more than open to suspicion, and who would have been expelled from the + club more than once but for the influence of M. Godefroy, The nobleman was + only too happy to become the father-in-law of a man who would pay his + debts, and without any scruples he handed over his daughter—a simple + and ingenuous child of seventeen, who was taken from a convent to be + married—to the worldly banker. The girl was certainly sweet and + pretty, but she had no dowry except numerous aristocratic prejudices and + romantic illusions, and her father thought he was fortunate in getting rid + of her on such favorable terms. M. Godefroy, who was the son of an avowed + old miser of Andelys, had always remained a man of the people, and + intensely vulgar. In spite of his improved circumstances, he had not + improved. His entire lack of tact and refinement was painful to his young + wife, whose tenderest feelings he ruthlessly and thoughtlessly trampled + upon. Things were looking unpromising, when, happily for her, Madame + Godefroy died in giving birth to her firstborn. When he spoke of his + deceased wife, the banker waxed poetical, although had she lived they + would have been divorced in six months. His son he loved dearly for + several reasons—first, because the child was an only son; secondly, + because he was a scion of two such houses as Godefroy and Neufontaine; + finally, because the man of money had naturally great respect for the heir + to many millions. So the youngster had golden rattles and other similar + toys, and was brought up like a young Dauphin. But his father, overwhelmed + with business worries, could never give the child more than fifteen + minutes per day of his precious time—and, as on the day mentioned, + it was always during "cheese"—and for the rest of the day the father + abandoned the child to the care of the servants. + </p> + <p> + "Good morning, Raoul." + </p> + <p> + "Good morning, papa." + </p> + <p> + And the company director, having put his serviette away, sat young Raoul + on his left knee, took the child's head between his big paws, and in + stroking and kissing it actually forgot all his money matters and even his + note of the afternoon, which was of great importance to him, as by it he + could gain quite an important amount of patronage. + </p> + <p> + "Papa," said little Raoul suddenly, "will Father Christmas put anything in + my shoe tonight?" + </p> + <p> + The father answered with "Yes, if you are a good child." This was very + striking from a man who was a pronounced freethinker, who always applauded + every anti-clerical attack in the Chamber with a vigorous "Hear, hear." He + made a mental note that he must buy some toys for his child that very + afternoon. + </p> + <p> + Then he turned to the nursery governess with: + </p> + <p> + "Are you quite satisfied with Raoul, Mademoiselle Bertha?" + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle Bertha became as red as a peony at being addressed, as if the + question were scarcely <i>comme il faut</i>, and replied by a little + imbecile snigger, which seemed fully to satisfy M. Godefroy's curiosity + about his son's conduct. + </p> + <p> + "It's fine to-day," said the financier, "but cold. If you take Raoul to + Monceau Park, mademoiselle, please be careful to wrap him up well." + </p> + <p> + Mademoiselle, by a second fit of idiotic smiling, having set at rest M. + Godefroy's doubts and fears on that essential point, he kissed his child, + left the room hastily, and in the hall was enveloped in his fur coat by + Charles, who also closed the carriage door. Then the faithful fellow went + off to the café which he frequented, Rue de Miromesnil, where he had + promised to meet the coachman of the baroness who lived opposite, to play + a game of billiards, thirty up—and spot-barred, of course. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Thanks to the brown bay—for which a thousand francs over and above + its value was paid by M. Godefroy as a result of a sumptuous snail supper + given to that gentleman's coachman by the horse-dealer—thanks to the + expensive brown bay which certainly went well, the financier was able to + get through his many engagements satisfactorily. He appeared punctually at + the Bourse, sat at several committee tables, and at a quarter to five, by + voting with the ministry, he helped to reassure France and Europe that the + rumors of a ministerial crisis had been totally unfounded. He voted with + the ministry because he had succeeded in obtaining the favors which he + demanded as the price of his vote. + </p> + <p> + After he had thus nobly fulfilled his duty to himself and his country, M. + Godefroy remembered what he had said to his child on the subject of Father + Christmas, and gave his coachman the address of a dealer in toys. There he + bought, and had put in his carriage, a fantastic rocking-horse, mounted on + casters—a whip in each ear; a box of leaden soldiers—all as + exactly alike as those grenadiers of the Russian regiment of the time of + Paul I, who all had black hair and snub noses; and a score of other toys, + all equally striking and costly. Then, as he returned home, softly + reposing in his well-swung carriage, the rich banker, who, after all, was + a father, began to think with pride of his little boy and to form plans + for his future. + </p> + <p> + When the child grew up he should have an education worthy of a prince, and + he would be one, too, for there was no longer any aristocracy except that + of money, and his boy would have a capital of about 80,000,000 francs. + </p> + <p> + If his father, a pettifogging provincial lawyer, who had formerly dined in + the Latin Quarter when in Paris, who had remarked every evening when + putting on a white tie that he looked as fine as if he were going to a + wedding—if he had been able to accumulate an enormous fortune, and + to become thereby a power in the republic; if he had been able to obtain + in marriage a young lady, one of whose ancestors had fallen at Marignano, + what an important personage little Raoul might become. M. Godefroy built + all sorts of air-castles for his boy, forgetting that Christmas is the + birthday of a very poor little child, son of a couple of vagrants, born in + a stable, where the parents only found lodging through charity. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the banker's dreams the coachman cried: "Door, please," + and drove into the yard. As he went up the steps M. Godefroy was thinking + that he had barely time to dress for dinner; but on entering the vestibule + he found all the domestics crowded in front of him in a state of alarm and + confusion. In a corner, crouching on a seat, was the German + nursery-governess, crying. When she saw the banker she buried her face in + her hands and wept still more copiously than before. M. Godefroy felt that + some misfortune had happened. + </p> + <p> + "What's the meaning of all this? What's amiss? What has happened?" + </p> + <p> + Charles, the <i>valet de chambre</i>, a sneaking rascal of the worst type, + looked at his master with eyes full of pity and stammered: "Mr. Raoul—" + </p> + <p> + "My boy?" + </p> + <p> + "Lost, sir. The stupid German did it. Since four o'clock this afternoon he + has not been seen." + </p> + <p> + The father staggered back like one who had been hit by a ball. The German + threw herself at his feet, screaming: "Mercy, mercy!" and the domestics + all spoke at the same time. + </p> + <p> + "Bertha didn't go to <i>parc Monceau</i>. She lost the child over there on + the fortifications. We have sought him all over, sir. We went to the + office for you, sir, and then to the Chamber, but you had just left. Just + imagine, the German had a rendezvous with her lover every day, beyond the + ramparts, near the gate of Asnières. What a shame! It is a place full of + low gipsies and strolling players. Perhaps the child has been stolen. Yes, + sir, we informed the police at once. How could we imagine such a thing? A + hypocrite, that German! She had a rendezvous, doubtless, with a countryman—a + Prussian spy, sure enough!" + </p> + <p> + His son lost! M. Godefroy seemed to have a torrent of blood rushing + through his head. He sprang at Mademoiselle, seized her by the arms and + shook her furiously. + </p> + <p> + "Where did you lose him, you miserable girl? Tell me the truth before I + shake you to pieces. Do you hear? Do you hear?" + </p> + <p> + But the unfortunate girl could only cry and beg for mercy. + </p> + <p> + The banker tried to be calm. No, it was impossible. Nobody would dare to + steal <i>his</i> boy. Somebody would find him and bring him back. Of that + there could be no doubt. He could scatter money about right and left, and + could have the entire police force at his orders. And he would set to work + at once, for not an instant should be lost. + </p> + <p> + "Charles, don't let the horses be taken out. You others, see that this + girl doesn't escape. I'm going to the Prefecture." + </p> + <p> + And M. Godefroy, with his heart thumping against his sides as if it would + break them, his hair wild with fright, darted into his carriage, which at + once rolled off as fast as the horses could take it. What irony! The + carriage was full of glittering playthings, which sparkled every time a + gaslight shone on them. For the next day was the birthday of the divine + Infant at whose cradle wise men and simple shepherds alike adored. + </p> + <p> + "My poor little Raoul! Poor darling! Where is my boy?" repeated the father + as in his anguish he dug his nails into the cushions of the carriage. + </p> + <p> + At that moment all his titles and decorations, his honors, his millions, + were valueless to him. He had one single idea burning in his brain. "My + poor child! Where is my child?" + </p> + <p> + At last he reached the Prefecture of Police. But no one was there—the + office had been deserted for some time. + </p> + <p> + "I am M. Godefroy, deputy from L'Eure—My little boy is lost in + Paris; a child of four years. I must see the Prefect." He slipped a louis + into the hand of the <i>concierge</i>. + </p> + <p> + The good old soul, a veteran with a gray mustache, less for the sake of + the money than out of compassion for the poor father, led him to the + Prefect's private apartments. M. Godefroy was finally ushered into the + room of the man in whom were centred all his hopes. He was in evening + dress, and wore a monocle; his manner was frigid and rather pretentious. + The distressed father, whose knees trembled through emotion, sank into an + armchair, and, bursting into tears, told of the loss of his boy—told + the story stammeringly and with many breaks, for his voice was choked by + sobs. + </p> + <p> + The Prefect, who was also father of a family, was inwardly moved at the + sight of his visitor's grief, but he repressed his emotion and assumed a + cold and self-important air. + </p> + <p> + "You say, sir, that your child has been missing since four o'clock?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "Just when night was falling, confound it. He isn't at all precocious, + speaks very little, doesn't know where he lives, and can't even pronounce + his own name?" + </p> + <p> + "Unfortunately that is so." + </p> + <p> + "Not far from Asnières gate? A suspected quarter. But cheer up. We have a + very intelligent <i>Commissaire de Police</i> there. I'll telephone to + him." + </p> + <p> + The distressed father was left alone for five minutes. How his temples + throbbed and his heartbeat! + </p> + <p> + Then, suddenly, the Prefect reappeared, smiling with satisfaction. + "Found!" + </p> + <p> + Whereupon M. Godefroy rushed to the Prefect, whose hand he pressed till + that functionary winced with the pain. + </p> + <p> + "I must acknowledge that we were exceedingly fortunate. The little chap is + blond, isn't he? Rather pale? In blue velvet? Black felt hat, with a white + feather in it?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, yes; that's he. That's my little Raoul." + </p> + <p> + "Well, he's at the house of a poor fellow down in that quarter who had + just been at the police office to make his declaration to the Commissaire. + Here's his address, which I took down: '<i>Pierron, rue des Cailloux, + Levaïlois-Perret</i>.' With good horses you may reach your boy in less + than an hour. Certainly, you won't find him in an aristocratic quarter; + his surroundings won't be of the highest. The man who found him is only a + small dealer in vegetables." + </p> + <p> + But that was of no importance to M. Godefroy, who, having expressed his + gratitude to the Prefect, leaped down the stairs four at a time, and + sprang into his carriage. At that moment he realized how devotedly he + loved his child. As he drove away he no longer thought of little Raoul's + princely education and magnificent inheritance. He was decided never again + to hand over the child entirely to the hands of servants, and he also made + up his mind to devote less time to monetary matters and the glory of + France and attend more to his own. The thought also occurred to him that + France wouldn't be likely to suffer from the neglect. He had hitherto been + ashamed to recognize the existence of an old-maid sister of his father, + but he decided to send for her to his house. She would certainly shock his + lackeys by her primitive manners and ideas. But what of that? She would + take care of his boy, which to him was of much more importance than the + good opinion of his servants. The financier, who was always in a hurry, + never felt so eager to arrive punctually at a committee meeting as he was + to reach the lost little one. For the first time in his life he was + longing through pure affection to take the child in his arms. + </p> + <p> + The carriage rolled rapidly along in the clear, crisp night air down + boulevard Malesherbes; and, having crossed the ramparts and passed the + large houses, plunged into the quiet solitude of suburban streets. When + the carriage stopped M. Godefroy saw a wretched hovel, on which was the + number he was seeking; it was the house where Pierron lived. The door of + the house opened immediately, and a big, rough-looking fellow with red + mustache appeared. One of his sleeves was empty. Seeing the gentleman in + the carriage, Pierron said cheerily: "So you are the little one's father. + Don't be afraid. The little darling is quite safe," and, stepping aside in + order to allow M. Godefroy to pass, he placed his finger on his lips with: + "Hush! The little one is asleep!" + </p> + <p> + Yes, it was a real hovel. By the dim light of a little oil lamp M. + Godefroy could just distinguish a dresser from which a drawer was missing, + some broken chairs, a round table on which stood a beer-mug which was half + empty, three glasses, some cold meat on a plate, and on the bare plaster + of the wall two gaudy pictures—a bird's-eye view of the Exposition + of 1889, with the Eiffel Tower in bright blue, and the portrait of General + Boulanger when a handsome young lieutenant. This last evidence of weakness + of the tenant of the house may well be excused, since it was shared by + nearly everybody in France. The man took the lamp and went on tiptoe to + the corner of the room where, on a clean bed, two little fellows were fast + asleep. In the little one, around whom the other had thrown a protecting + arm, M. Godefroy recognized his son. + </p> + <p> + "The youngsters were tired to death, and so sleepy," said Pierron, trying + to soften his rough voice. "I had no idea when you would come, so gave + them some supper and put them to bed, and then I went to make a + declaration at the police office. Zidore generally sleeps up in the + garret, but I thought they would be better here, and that I should be + better able to watch them." + </p> + <p> + M. Godefroy, however, scarcely heard the explanation. Strangely moved, he + looked at the two sleeping infants on an iron bedstead and covered with an + old blanket which had once been used either in barracks or hospital. + Little Raoul, who was still in his velvet suit, looked so frail and + delicate compared with his companion that the banker almost envied the + latter his brown complexion. + </p> + <p> + "Is he your boy?" he asked Pierron. + </p> + <p> + "No," answered he. "I am a bachelor, and don't suppose I shall ever marry, + because of my accident. You see, a dray passed over my arm—that was + all. Two years ago a neighbor of mine died, when that child was only five + years old. The poor mother really died of starvation. She wove wreaths for + the cemeteries, but could make nothing worth mentioning at that trade—not + enough to live. However, she worked for the child for five years, and then + the neighbors had to buy wreaths for her. So I took care of the youngster. + Oh, it was nothing much, and I was soon repaid. He is seven years old, and + is a sharp little fellow, so he helps me a great deal. On Sundays and + Thursdays, and the other days after school, he helps me push my handcart. + Zidore is a smart little chap. It was he who found your boy." + </p> + <p> + "What!" exclaimed M. Godefroy—"that child!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, he's quite a little man, I assure you. When he left school he found + your child, who was walking on ahead, crying like a fountain. He spoke to + him and comforted him, like an old grandfather. The difficulty is, that + one can't easily understand what your little one says—English words + are mixed up with German and French. So we couldn't get much out of him, + nor could we learn his address. Zidore brought him to me—I wasn't + far away; and then all the old women in the place came round chattering + and croaking like so many frogs, and all full of advice. + </p> + <p> + "'Take him to the police,'" said some. + </p> + <p> + But Zidore protested. + </p> + <p> + "That would scare him," said he, for like all Parisians, he has no + particular liking for the police— "and besides, your little one + didn't wish to leave him. So I came back here with the child as soon as I + could. They had supper, and then off to bed. Don't they look sweet?" + </p> + <p> + When he was in his carriage, M. Godefroy had decided to reward the finder + of his child handsomely—to give him a handful of that gold so easily + gained. Since entering the house he had seen a side of human nature with + which he was formerly unacquainted—the brave charity of the poor in + their misery. The courage of the poor girl who had worked herself to death + weaving wreaths to keep her child; the generosity of the poor cripple in + adopting the orphan, and above all, the intelligent goodness of the little + street Arab in protecting the child who was still smaller than himself—all + this touched M. Godefroy deeply and set him reflecting. For the thought + had occurred to him that there were other cripples who needed to be looked + after as well as Pierron, and other orphans as well as Zidore. He also + debated whether it would not be better to employ his time looking after + them, and whether money might not be put to a better use than merely + gaining money. Such was his reverie as he stood looking at the two + sleeping children. Finally, he turned round to study the features of the + greengrocer, and was charmed by the loyal expression in the face of the + man, and his clear, truthful eyes. + </p> + <p> + "My friend," said M. Godefroy, "you and your adopted son have rendered me + an immense service. I shall soon prove to you that I am not ungrateful. + But, for to-day—I see that you are not in comfortable circumstances, + and I should like to leave a small proof of my thankfulness." + </p> + <p> + But the hand of the cripple arrested that of the banker, which was diving + into his coat-pocket where he kept bank-notes. + </p> + <p> + "No, sir; no! Anybody else should have done just as we have done. I will + not accept any recompense; but pray don't take offense. Certainly, I am + not rolling in wealth, but please excuse my pride—that of an old + soldier; I have the Tonquin medal—and I don't wish to eat food which + I haven't earned." + </p> + <p> + "As you like," said the financier; "but an old soldier like you is capable + of something better. You are too good to push a handcart. I will make some + arrangement for you, never fear." + </p> + <p> + The cripple responded by a quiet smile, and said coldly: "Well, sir, if + you really wish to do something for me—" + </p> + <p> + "You'll let me care for Zidore, won't you?" cried M. Godefroy, eagerly. + </p> + <p> + "That I will, with the greatest of pleasure," responded Pierron, joyfully. + "I have often, thought about the child's future. He is a sharp little + fellow. His teachers are delighted with him." + </p> + <p> + Then Pierron suddenly stopped, and an expression came over his face which + M. Godefroy at once interpreted as one of distrust. The thought evidently + was: "Oh, when he has once left us he'll forget us entirely." + </p> + <p> + "You can safely pick the child up in your arms and take him to the + carriage. He'll be better at home than here, of course. Oh, you needn't be + afraid of disturbing him. He is fast asleep, and you can just pick him up. + He must have his shoes on first, though." + </p> + <p> + Following Pierron's glance M. Godefroy perceived on the hearth, where a + scanty coke fire was dying out, two pairs of children's shoes;—the + elegant ones of Raoul, and the rough ones of Zidore. Each pair contained a + little toy and a package of bonbons. + </p> + <p> + "Don't think about that," said Pierron in an abashed tone. "Zidore put the + shoes there. You know children still believe in Christmas and the child + Jesus, whatever scholars may say about fables; so, as I came back from the + <i>commissaire</i>, as I didn't know whether your boy would have to stay + here to-night, I got those things for them both." + </p> + <p> + At which the eyes of M. Godefroy, the freethinker, the hardened + capitalist, and <i>blasé</i> man of the world, filled with tears. + </p> + <p> + He rushed out of the house, but returned in a minute with his arms full of + the superb mechanical horse, the box of leaden soldiers, and the rest of + the costly playthings bought by him in the afternoon, and which had not + even been taken out of the carriage. + </p> + <p> + "My friend, my dear friend," said he to the greengrocer, "see, these are + the presents which Christmas has brought to my little Raoul. I want him to + find them here, when he awakens, and to share them with Zidore, who will + henceforth be his playmate and friend. You'll trust me now, won't you? + I'll take care both of Zidore and of you, and then I shall ever remain in + your debt, for not only have you found my boy, but you have also reminded + me, who am rich and lived only for myself, that there are other poor who + need to be looked after. I swear by these two sleeping children, I won't + forget them any longer." + </p> + <p> + Such is the miracle which happened on the 24th of December of last year, + ladies and gentlemen, at Paris, in the full flow of modern egotism. It + doesn't sound likely—that I own; and I am compelled to attribute + this miraculous event to the influence of the Divine Child who came down + to earth nearly nineteen centuries ago to command men to love one another. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Lost Child, by François Edouard Joachim Coppée + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOST CHILD *** + +***** This file should be named 23063-h.htm or 23063-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/6/23063/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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