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When a Cobbler Ruled a King

When a Cobbler Ruled a King

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Chapter 1 IN THE DAUPHIN'S GARDEN

Word Count: 2723    |    Released on: 06/12/2017

onne! Why do you

legs are so long, and you take such gr

else, a great bee-hive whose swarming population buzzed hither and thither under the influence of angry excitement and general unrest. The two youngsters were bubbling over with the same eager restlessness that agitated their elders. They pushed th

all not see the little 'Wolf-Cub' out f

to look at?" querie

"but he must be pretty ugly if he's the son of a m

At one end stood the church of St. Roch, and at the other lay the p

use the little monster comes through it

o very dreadful if he goes t

be good to deceive us!" a

ld be seen digging up the ground about some flower-beds. He was a really beautiful child and his age evidently did not much exceed seven years. Great blue eyes looked out of a face whose expression was one of charming attractiveness. His silky golden-brown hair fell in curls about his

g black eyes grew soft at the sight of the group wi

en Boy!" he remarked. "What do you call him?" The c

t him?" The little boy lifted the wriggling animal to the fenc

so short that her head barely came to the top of the fence. Jean reac

d what a pretty little boy, too! I like you,

hink there are enough left to make you a nice bouquet." Dropping the dog, he ran hither and thither gathering from on

you tell me

nswered, burying her face in the

iday from the services of the Citizeness Clouet, risking thereby the prospect of certain punishment, and had hurri

whereabouts we can get a sight of the lit

what you mea

g!" The little fellow drew back proudly. His blue eyes grew d

er! He is a good man!" Jean was so astonished that he let go his h

e Dauphin! Say, will you forgive me, little Citizen Prince?" The generous heart of the royal child was as quick to forgive as it w

hin, now all restored to good humour, seated himself on a

e any children now, except my sister, and I'm

friend. "That is the name they gave me in the Foundl

Why, I used to go there often with the Queen, my mother. We brought food and m

arvelled Jean. "Why, she can't be such a bad

ny false things about my father and mother because they do no

izen Marat! He gets up on a bench in our street and tells the people that the king and queen are st

imed gladly, "Why, here he is now!" Jean made a movement to put down Yvonne and take to his heels, but the Dauphin begged him to stay. They all stood silent, watching the approach of

ese are my little new friends, Yvonne and Jean. Won't you speak

ish heart. Certainly this was not the horrible monster such as he had heard the King described in the Faubourg St. Antoine. The boy was thoroughly in sympathy with the downtrodden people who were rising at last to claim their liberty and a few other ina

olled homeward, "we-at least I will

ke part of the punishment, for I ma

Rue du Bac," explained her companion. "Oh, well! I have had my dance, now I must pay the fiddler!" It was evide

think of the poor lit

!" she answ

e had enough kings, and they've trodden us under foot and robbed us of our rights for centuries. And yet this lit

. I felt sorry for him. And I don't believe all the things

ee here, Yvonne! Let me tell you that if anyone finds out how we feel, or that I kissed his hand, our

ey walked on in silence, and with dragging steps.

the little prince ag

oon as I can make up my mind to another beating!" an

he people to take away his liberty and keep him cooped

évolution, singing the "Marseillaise," shouting for Danton, or dancing the Carmagnole. At the door of the house numbered "670," stood a woman in a short cott

and made a dash at Jean who ducked, slid aside and came out unharmed quite behind the enraged la

sh myself! You will entrap my little Yvonne and force her to accompany you, scaring her good mother almost beyond her wits lest the child

y when sheer exhaustion compelled her. Poor Yvonne stood by, trembling, wide-eyed and frighten

e mouse!-" Then her eyes fell f

uet, child? Never since I was a girl in Normandy have I seen su

e at Jean, remembering too late his warning on the way home. Jean himself trembled, and expected that Mère Clouet

you out with me to see the sight. The Queen in her carriage held him up that all the people might see him, and how the crowds sang and shouted for joy! Who would have thought that in seven ye

ed the Dauphin, the King and even Moufflet. Jean too forgot that he was in disgrace, and a

phin, and I'm sorry for his father the Citizen King

rs! Never say that thought aloud if you do not wish us all to be made acquainted

n would help us out if they could. Do you know, I believe that if you were to ask them, they would give you the money to pay the taxes that you said wou

oor under their heel for many years, and they only do an act of charity when there may be a crowd around to see and applaud it. Trust me

so kind to-day. Come with us to-morrow, and see

f the instability of their heads. "And now, sit you down to your supper, Yvonne. And you, idle good-for

Jean sa

WITH A TH

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