Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rewards and Fairies
chest, and put his ear to the other. Then Jerry put his trumpet ‘“They’d kill you, Mosheur. It’s all I can do to coax ‘em to
against Rene’s chest, and listened while Rene breathed and abide it, and I’m Jerry Gamm,” said Jerry. He’s very proud of
coughed. I was afraid I would cough too.
his attainments.
‘“This hollywood one is the best,” said Jerry. “’Tis won’erful ‘“Then these poor people are alarmed—No?” said Rene.
like hearin’ a man’s soul whisperin’ in his innards; but unless ‘“They’ve had it in at me for some time back because o’
I’ve a buzzin’ in my ears, Mosheur Lanark, you make much my tryin’ your trumpets on their sick; and I reckon by the
about the same kind o’ noises as old Gaffer Macklin—but talk at the alehouse they won’t stand much more. Tom
not quite so loud as young Copper. It sounds like breakers on Dunch an’ some of his kidney was drinkin’ themselves riot-
a reef—a long way off. Comprenny?”
ripe when I passed along after noon. Charms an’ mutterin’s
‘“Perfectly,” said Rene. “I drive on the breakers. But before an’ bits o’ red wool an’ black hens is in the way o’ nature to
I strike, I shall save hundreds, thousands, millions perhaps, these fools, Mosheur; but anything likely to do ‘em real
by my little trumpets. Now tell me what sounds the old Gaffer service is devil’s work by their estimation. If I was you, I’d
Macklin have made in his chest, and what the young Copper go home before they come.” Jerry spoke quite quietly, and
also.”
Rene shrugged his shoulders.
‘Jerry talked for nearly a quarter of an hour about sick people ‘“I am prisoner on parole, Monsieur Gamm,” he said. “I
in the village, while Rene asked questions. Then he sighed, have no home.”
and said, “You explain very well, Monsieur Gamm, but if ‘Now that was unkind of Rene. He’s often told me that he
only I had your opportunities to listen for myself! Do you looked on England as his home. I suppose it’s French politeness.
think these poor people would let me listen to them through ‘“Then we’ll talk o’ something that matters,” said Jerry. “Not
my trumpet—for a little money? No?” —Rene’s as poor as a to name no names, Mosheur Lanark, what might be your
church mouse.
own opinion o’ some one who ain’t old Gaffer Macklin nor
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