Henry Brooke, 1878; Quotations, 1883; French Translations -- Mary F. Green, 1920

The Turkey's foot

I was ten years old ; I went to school; each Monday I brought him to my parents the big sum of fifteen cents; intended to pay for My breakfast int he morning, because the school finished only a peice of day bread for this meal.

One Monday, on entering, I found one of own comarades (I recall his name still: he is named Couture) provided with a fine turkey's foot.

As soon as my comrade saw me; Come see, he said to me, come see.

I hastened up. He the upper part of the foot in his two hands, and upon a motion of his right hand, the four fingers opened and closed like the fingers of a human hand. I remained abstonished and surprised. How can this dead foot move?

How can he make it move? Each time that these four fingers opened and closed.

I thought to be present at a miracle.

When my comrade, who was older and more clever than I saw my enthusiasm reach , he put back his wonder into his pocket and went away. I went away also in my direction, but pensive and still beheld this foot wave before my eyes like a vision...

If I had it, I told myself,

Give me the foot, said I to him with an inesistable accent of supplication. I pray you! My foot! Give you my foot!

You do not wish me to give it?

No. Very well... Sell it to me. Sell it to you? How much?

A Singular Mistake

A very rich forigner named Suderland was was at( belonged to the court of Catherine II. He enjoy being near the empress of enough great favor. One morning some one tells him that his house is surrounded guards and that the master of police ask to speak to him. This officer named Reliew, enters with an aid of dismay.

-Mr. Suderland, said he, I see myself, with a true misfortune, charged by my gracious sovereign to execute an order whose severity terrifies and dismays me.I am ignorant by what fault or by what offense you have aroused to this point the resentment of her majesty!

-I! Mr., ansers the banker, I am as much and more ignorant than you. My surprise surpasses yours. But in short what is this order?

Sir, answers the officer, indeed courage fails me to inform - Ah what! shall I lose the confidence of the empress?