Is not his son apprenticed to a confectioner

13. Both are, you see, in a fair way of becoming useful citizens.

m. PASSAGES rOE TEANSLATION INTO FRENCH

Jean-Paul's Personal appearance at once told you bis character. He was always covered with mud, bay, or ink, bis clotbes were torn and dirty, bis stockings buug about bis heels ; wbile be bimself was greedy, teasing, and cowardly. It gave bim tbe greatest pleasure to beat tbose wbo were smaller tban bimself, or to get otbers puuisbed in bis stead. Even in tlie bolidays bis conduet towards everybody was malicious and annoying. He was only nine years old and yet be was in debt. But one day tbe cloud, wbich more and more bad darkened tbe borizon of Jean-Paul's future, burst. He bad balf-strangled one of bis sisters, and, after being corrected by bis fatber, was sitting outside tbe bouse, wben be tbougbt be saw bini appear still carrying tbe supple stick. He rushed off, and wben be stopped be found bimself rigbt in tbe country, but fearing notbing rau on, singing and wbistling, and decided never to return.

Hunger soon began to torture bim, but be did not lose any of bis cbeerfulness, for seeing a cberry-tree not far off,

Passages for Translation into French 165

without hesitating he went over the hedge, and was soon on the topmost branch. Hardly had he reached the top when the branch snapped, and, falhng down, he was left hanging head-downwards on the tree. He was helped from this unfortunate position by the keeper, who would hâve scolded him and let him go, had not Jean-Paul, finding himself once more in safety, recovered his usual impudence. He was taken through the village by old Roquille, the keeper, and after unsuccessfully attempting to escape, was at last brought before the mayor. The latter was incliued to be indulgent, but Jean-Paul remained unshaken in his impudence, and was condemned to prison. Roquille, who was both keeper and gaoler, had soon shut the heavy door and turned the lock on his prisoner.

Jean-Paul was furious. He broke his water-jug, overturned his bench, and kicked with ail his force against walls and door. He then climbed to the little window and put his head between the bars, but was ouly laughed at by the childreu in the street. At last he cried with rage and lay down ou the straw, which was his only bed. Soon afterwards he was brought his first meal, which consisted of a pièce of dry bread. This, in his anger, he hurled against the door, but wheu he became hungry he had to eat it, though it was covered with dust. Night came, and Jean-Paul began to be afraid. He thought of home, his soft bed, his sisters and his parents, and was assailed with ail the terrors which his cowardice found in night. But when light returned he forgot it ail, and was again trying to get out of his prison, when he saw above him a head — a head without a body !

i66 Mésaventures de 'Jean-Paul Choppart

It was the head of a child, and Jean-Paul was soon reassured enough to speak. Roquille hud sent his little sou to look at him, and Jean-Paul and lie were soon the best of friends. The little boy was induced to enter the prison, and was very much pleased with the tricks which Jean-Paul showed him. They both made an agreemeut to try and escape, and although the dog barked loudly, they were soon on their way unperceived on a journey round the world. Tliey ran for a long distance, and at last stopped for waut of breath. Petit- Jacques, old Roquille's sou, was already repeuting that he had come, but was consoled when they reached a broad river, where they amused themselves by playing ducks and drakes. Seeing a boat by the bank they both got in. Without their knowiug it the paiuter got loose and the light boat drifted into the middle of the stream : a terrible storm arose, the boat capsized, and Jean-Paul and his comiîaniou Avere throwu into the Avater.

Meanwhile the flight of Jean-Paul and his companion had beeu noticed by old Roquille and a very tall Adsitor, whom we will call the Giant. The Giaut had followed the two boys and had seen ail that had passed at the river. When Jean-Paul next recovered cousciousness, he was iuside a mill. Father François, the miller, gave them some hot soup, and they were soon quite well again. The miller then oftered to take them home, but as they did not seem to agrée with him about it, he said they might stay if they lent him a hand at the mill. The two boys accepted, and for uine days worked in the mill. Ou the teuth day

Passages for Translation into French 167

François gave them charge of the stables. They had to take the donkeys to the field, briiig them back and wash them. One day, while Jean-Paul was at work, the Giant appeared, but went again at once, though uot Avithout jesting at the position in which Jean-Paul found himself.

Jean-Paul soon became tired of his work, and gladly joined a troop of nien and animais which travelled about and gave performances. Petit-Jacques was aiso taken ou, and the next morning, after a performance had been given in the village with no great success, they started oft'. Wolves, bears, rabbits, dogs, monkeys, meu, ail travelled together iu one huge conveyance drawn by two half-starved horses. After some time Jean-Paul began to like his new position. The driver drove his horses slowly ou, never looking where he was taking them, uutil at last, after nearly upsettiug his van times ■v\dthout number, the whole ménagerie fell on to its side while passing over some stoues. Ail escaped with only a few bruises, and the van was soon on its way once more, having been raised from the road by a crowd of passers-by who had collected, and conspicuous among whom was the Giant.

At last they reached the village at which they were to give their i)erformance. Petit-Jacques was compelled to play ten or twelve instruments at a time, and Jean-Paul, after having a lesson, which consisted of several shrewd blows, had to play a clarionette. Thus they walked round the village. Wheu they returued, Jean-Paul was told to take the place of the usual buffoon, and was beaten until he cried, at

i68 Mésaventures de Jean-Paul Choppart

which the crowd were vciy pleased, especially a tall man, who called out " Encore ! Encore. ! " It was the Giant. On seeing him Jean-Paul was so frightened that he fell right over. Now, entry had not been paid for in mouey, but in carrots, eggs, cheese, and anything else. Ail the eggs and cheeses had been collected into one barrel. Into this Jean- Paul fell, and was drawn out by bis legs half suftbcated, and covered with the yolk of eggs.

Jean-Paul was at once taken to the stable, still covered with the eggs. The chief of the troop killed some chickens, plucked them, and stuck the feathers upou Jean-Paul, who was to represent a savage, and eat the bodies of the chickens raw. Petit-Jacques did not escape. He was bound up so as to seem to hâve no limbs, and both boys were put in large wooden cages. When the time came for them to be exhibited, neithei' had any success. Petit-Jacques complained that his legs were tied too tight, and Jean-Paul would not eat the chickens or the pebbles. The crowd demanded a fight between bears and bull-dogs which the chief had promised. As there were no dogs the show was arranged to take place on the morrow. Jean-Paul and Petit-Jacques were dressed in the skins of two dead bears, and were to fight two dogs chosen from those in the "village.

In the morning the two bears were gone. The villagers were terribly afraid. Two fierce beasts had been seen crossing the streets with heav}^ chains, and now ail the men had armed themselves, some with their gims, some

Passages for Translation into French 169

with sticks, and started with their dogs in pursuit. The two boys rushed for an hour across country, and at last flung themselves exhausted into a bush. Their heavy chains betrayed tliem. A man heard tlie noise as he passecl, and twenty guns were levelled at the bush when a man rushed up and stopped them. He oftered to catch the bears and give them to their owner, on condition that he and they would go. It was the Giant. The bears were given back, and soon were on their way again. Jean-Paul and Petit-Jacques sat talking together, but could neither eat nor sleep.

Before the next performance they tried to escape, but the head of the troop caught them and sent them back. He then earned as much money as possible by the différent arts which he said he was master of, such as dentistry and chemistry. Ail then retired to prépare for the performance. There was the usual représentation, at which the public were much amused, and then at the end our two heroes were brought on to the platform. They were to eat burning tow, but when it was set alight they became so frightened that they tore it away and threw it from them. The whole barn caught tire, and every one was in perplexity and terror. Jean-Paul and Petit-Jacques were the last left inside, and remained sitting on a beam, unable to get out. It seemed impossible to save them, but the Giant, by his marvellous strength and bravery, brought both boys safe to the ground, amid the loudest applause.

The Marquis was not at ail put out at his loss. The Giant had spoken to him quietly, and since then he had

I yo Mésaventures de Jean-Paul Choppart

been perfectiy conteuted. He anuounced to his troop that they were to give an exhibition at a private house, and indeed that evening they got there. The Giant opeucd the gâte to them and showed thera their rooms. The performance proceeded just as it always liad done, but with no animais, for almost ail had been lost in the lire. The audience showed the greate.st impatience, always ciying ont "Enough," " The next," until at last the Siamese twins, who were in reality Jean-Paul and Petit-Jacques, were shown. As the cover was drawn ofï" the two boys, who had been sewn together, the sight had an extraordinaiy effect upon the audience. There were loud cries from eveiy mouth : " It is he ! " " It is they ! "

Jean -Paul and Petit- Jacques found themselves in the midst of their familles. The reconciliation was complète, and the repentance of the two children sincère. They were received with the greatest joy by every one. Old Roquille and his dog had been j^reseut at the performance and welcomed Petit -Jacques. But what of the Giant? He was doorkeeper to M. Choppart, who had moved into his new house soon after the fiight of Jean-Paul. He had been sent to watch the two fugitives and bring them back when they repented sincerely. He had faithfully performed his duty, and had brought back Jean-Paul and Petit-Jacques with quite différent characters. The former is making rapid progress in his studies, and it is probable that both of them will become the best of citizens.

Prhited by R. & R. Clark, Limited, Edinburgh

SIEPMANN'S FRENCH SERIES.

Edited by OTTO SIEPMANN, Head of the Modem Language Department at

Clifton Collège, and EUGÈNE PELLISSIER, Professeur Agrégé au Lycée

du Havre, formerly Assistant Master at Clifton Collège, and Lecturer

in French at the University Collège, Bristol.

Note. — Tlwse marked * arc ready; ihosc markcd t are in the Press ;

and the others are in préparation.