Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

his head. He was sorting buttons in the shop.
Rewards and Fairies
‘Then Sister Haga came in for a paper of what we call “pilly
‘I cannot return to France with nothing better than the word buttons,” and that was the last I saw of Talleyrand in those
of an unsophisticated savage,” he says.
parts.’
‘“Hasn’t the President said anything to you?” I asked him. ‘But after that you met Napoleon, didn’t you?’ said Una.
‘“He has said everything that one in his position ought to ‘Wait Just a little, dearie. After that, Toby and I went to Leba-
say, but—but if only I had what he said to his Cabinet after non and the Reservation, and, being older and knowing bet-
Genet rode off I believe I could change Europe—the world, ter how to manage him, I enjoyed myself well that summer
maybe.” ‘“I’m sorry,” I says. “Maybe you’ll do that without with fiddling and fun. When we came back, the Brethren got
my help.”
after Toby because I wasn’t learning any lawful trade, and he
‘He looked at me hard. “Either you have unusual observa- had hard work to save me from being apprenticed to
tion for one so young, or you choose to be insolent,” he says. Helmbold and Geyer the printers. ’Twould have ruined our
‘“It was intended for a compliment,” I says. “But no odds. music together, indeed it would. And when we escaped that,
We’re off in a few days for our summer trip, and I’ve come to old Mattes Roush, the leather-breeches maker round the cor-
make my good-byes.”
ner, took a notion I was cut out for skin-dressing. But we
‘“I go on my travels too,” he says. “If ever we meet again were rescued. Along towards Christmas there comes a big
you may be sure I will do my best to repay what I owe you.” sealed letter from the Bank saying that a Monsieur Talleyrand
‘“Without malice, Abbe, I hope,” I says.
had put five hundred dollars—a hundred pounds—to my
‘“None whatever,” says he. “Give my respects to your ador- credit there to use as I pleased. There was a little note from
able Dr Pangloss” (that was one of his side-names for Toby) him inside—he didn’t give any address—to thank me for past
“and the Huron.” I never could teach him the difference be- kindnesses and my believing in his future, which he said was
twixt Hurons and Senecas.
pretty cloudy at the time of writing. I wished Toby to share
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