FOR THE CHILDREN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12784, 30 October 1919, Page 9

FOR THE CHILDREN.

JEAN’S SOLDIER. Jean lived in a poor street near the Avenue 1 do I’Opera. In the Avenue is a big toyshop, and. every day Jean passed by and looked in. The windows were full of beautiful toys. In the front row stood Jean’s fancy. It was an officer of cavalry. • “If only ho were mine,” thought Jean, “I should forget to feel hungry.” Poor Jean, he was often hungry. One day- he found the street in a state of commotionThere had been .an, accadent, , The, windows of the tbyshop were broken, and the beautiful toys lay among • a heap of broken- glass on the pavement. A hoy came out of the shop, swept'-up the debris, and the crowd melted away. Jean lingered. He was looking for the soldiers- They had disappeared. His officer of cavalry, doubtless, he too had gone. But no, there he was, lying bent and dirty among the rubbish. Jean ran forward and picked him up. He polished him upon liis old coat till the helmet and sword shone again like silver. “Dear old thing!” ho murmured. He looked at him tenderly, and then inarched into the toyshop and laid the toy on the counter. “ I picked Idm up, Alonsieur,” he said; "he’s yours.” The man looked down at the little ragged figure and smiled. “Keep him', my son,” ho said. “He is no longer mine—he is yours.” “0, Alonsieur!” exclaimed Jean.—(From the French.) -