The autobiography of Joseph Jefferson . rstand what was going on ; she patted him cheer-fully on the back and seemed quite childlike inher joy at the prospect of becoming chatting about various matters I asked if herhusband were ill. Oh, no, said she; but old,very old — not able to walk now. And the tearscame into her honest eyes. Her daughter kneltupon the steps and looked up into her fathersface. My darling husband, the wife continued; we have been married many years. He hasbeen all his life so good, so brave, so noble — myown dear Pierre. She laid her hand upon hisshoulder, an
The autobiography of Joseph Jefferson . rstand what was going on ; she patted him cheer-fully on the back and seemed quite childlike inher joy at the prospect of becoming chatting about various matters I asked if herhusband were ill. Oh, no, said she; but old,very old — not able to walk now. And the tearscame into her honest eyes. Her daughter kneltupon the steps and looked up into her fathersface. My darling husband, the wife continued; we have been married many years. He hasbeen all his life so good, so brave, so noble — myown dear Pierre. She laid her hand upon hisshoulder, and, half-turning her head from me,looked down upon him with as much affection asshe could have done upon her wedding-day. Nowwas the time. Stay that way for a moment, Isaid — and the picture was taken. She could scarcely believe it was over, neverhaving seen the operation before, and wanted tolook at the picture at once. I told her that shemust wait, and that I would bring the picture atsome future time; and so we parted. Just one. OF JOSEPH JEFFERSON 473 year after this my wife and I, driven by ouroverseer, stopped at the garden gate in front ofthis same cottage. How glad I was that I hadtaken the picture and could give it into the handsof Pierre Landrys widow; for in the mean timehe had been called away to plead his own causein another world, and if virtue and honesty beweighed in the balance there, the chances arethat he has been acquitted. The place lookedmuch the same, but there was a curious stillnessabout it that seemed almost sacred, or I fanciedso. The roses and honeysuckles of the year beforehad gone, like him whose hand had reared thevines; but new ones were in their place, and oldMadame Landry sat in her husbands chair uponthe porch. Coming down to greet us with someflowers in her hand to give my wife — for thedriver had told her we were coming — she wasabout to hand them when I gave her the dear old woman for a moment seemed bewil-dered, the fr
Size: 1309px × 1909px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1890, booksubjectjeffers, bookyear1890
