Le Sergent Pidoux

Conte Militaire

France has ever been generous in rewarding her sons for their service in every field of endeavor, whether it be in defending the fiag, in promoting scientific knowledge, or in adding power to her literature. The décoration of which Pidoux is so proud is the Cross of the Légion of Honor. The Légion of Honor was founded by Napoléon Bona-

Petits Contes de France

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parte in 1802. The distinction is conferred for service in military or civil life.

Le Retour des Cloches . diaprés Jean Aicard 59

Conte de Pâques

This story is based on a religions tradition very popular in the southem part of France. As the church bells remain silent on Good Friday and Holy Saturday and only burst forth in joyous chorus on Easter Sunday, the children are told that the bells go to Rome the day before Good Friday to be blessed by the Pope, the head of the Church, and that they retum on Saturday to be ready for the célébration of the Résurrection on the following day.

Pomme, Prune, Pouce 67

Conte Humoristique

This story is intended as a lesson, of an amusing character, however, in French pronunciation.

L'Enfant des Grenadiers

DE LA Garde . d'auprès Frédéric Sotdiè 72

Conte de Napoléon

Jacques, the grenadier of Napoléon, typifies the sacred vénération of Napoleon's guard for their Emperor. They were faithful to the end. And when at the battle of Waterloo (18 15) the last of thèse soldiers, standing in square formation, were called upon to surrender, their answer came from the mouth of their captain : " The Old Guard dies, but never surrenders."

Cœur de Femme 78

Conte Breton

Brittany, in the northwestem part of France, is the land of sailors and fishermen. The sea life with its accompanying dangers bas made a sturdy and

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courageous race of the Bretons. Their women, like Mariannik in the story, are brave, noble soûls. Because of the tenacity with which the Bretons cling to the beliefs of their fathers, Brittany bas become the land of tradition.