animals as well.

Laurent Laurini mounted the stairs, keeping close to the bannisters,
and he was deeply moved, when he saw the old cat turn around, arch her
back, raise her tail, and rub against the steps. On the landing the
clock struck, as if in gratitude.

He entered her room gently. He saw his mother on her knees praying.
She was saying:

"Dear God, I pray unto Thee, that my son may still be among the
living. Oh my God, he has suffered much...Where is he? Forgive me
for this that I have given him birth. Forgive him for this that he is
causing me to die."

Then he knelt down beside her, laying his young lips on her poor gray
hair, and said:

"Come with me. I am healed. I know a land where there are trees and
corn and waters, where quails sing, where the looms of the weavers
fall, where the telegraph wires hum, where a poor woman dwells who
holds my heart, and where your grandson is playing."




THE TRAMWAY


Once upon a time there was a very industrious workman who had a good