The Strand Magazine : an illustrated monthly. Vol. 1, no. 2, February 1891 / edited by George Newnes.

Date:
1891
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Strand Magazine : an illustrated monthly. Vol. 1, no. 2, February 1891 / edited by George Newnes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Slap-Bang. From the Frpzxch of Jules Claretie. [Jules Claretie was bom at Limoges, in 1840, and is still a well-known figure in the literary world of Paris. No man is more prolific ; histories, novels, articles, short stories, plays, pour without cessation from his pen. Jules Claretie is a man of the most varied gifts. His best known achievement is his “ History of the Revolution,” in five volumes—-a monumental work. But there are those (and we confess ourselves among themj who would rather be the author of the lovely little story of child-life which we lay before our readers under the title of “ Slap-Bang.”] 1. less in his small tvhite cot, gazing, with eyes enlarged by fever, straight before him, with the strange fixity of ill¬ ness whicli seems to see already more than is visible to living eyes. His mother, sitting at the bottom of the bed, biting her fingers to keep back a cry, noted how the symptoms deepened on the ghostly little face ; while his father, a strong tired of life ; rolling his head upon the bol¬ ster, his thin lips ne\^er smiling, his eyes at one knew not what. He would staring take nothing—neither medicine, 5yrup nor workman, brushed away his burning tears. The day Avas breaking ; a calm, clear, lovely day of June. The light began to steal into the poor apartment where little Francis, the son of Jacques and Madeline I. e - grand, lay very near death’s door. He Avas seven years old ; three weeks ago, a fair - haired, rosy, little boy, as happy as a bird. But one night, when he came h o m e fro m school, his head was giddy his hands burninor. beef-tea. “Is there anything that you Avould like ? they asked him. “No,’’ he ansAvered, “nothing.’’ “ This must be remedied,” the doctor said. “ This torpor is alarming. You are his parents, and you knoAv him best. J'ry to discover Avhat Avill interest and amuse him.” And the doctor Avent aAvay. To amuse him ! True, they knew him Avell, their little Francis. They kneAv hoAv it delighted him, Avhen he Avas Avell, to go into the fields, and to come home, loaded Avith Avhite haAAThorn blossoms, riding, on his father’s s h o u 1 d e r s . Jacques had al¬ ready bought him gilded soldiers, figures, “ Chinese shadoAvs,” to be shown upon a screen. He placed them on the sick child’s bed, made them dance be¬ fore his eyes, and, scarcely able to keep back his THIS .MUST BE REMEDIED,' THE DOCTOR SAID. and Avere Ever since he had lain there in his cot. To-night he did not AA^ander in his mind ; “ I.ook, there is the Broken but for tAvo days his strange listlessness had Tra-la-la ! And there is a general. You alarmed the doctor. He lay there sad and saAV one once at Boulogne Wood, don’t you quiet, as if at seven years old he Avas already remember? If you drink your medicine tears, strove to make him laugh. Bridge.