The father too was equally moved, and shed tears of gratitude.

He believed that the boy might yet be able to help him in writing out, under his dictation, the Charivari impromptus which, he supposed, were his chief forte.

Indeed, the whole family regarded this great stroke of luck for Jacques in the light of a special providence, and as the beginning of a brilliant destiny.

The mother, in order to dress him properly, rummaged the house, and picked out the least mended suit of clothes, in which to array the young scholar.
When properly clothed, the boy, not without fear on his own part, was taken by his mother to school.
Behold him, then, placed under the tuition of Sister Boe! There were some fifty other children at school, mumbling at the letters of the alphabet, and trying to read their first easy sentences.

Jasmin had a good memory, and soon mastered the difficulties of the A B C."'Twixt smiles and tears," he says, "I soon learnt to read, by the help of the pious Sister." In six months he was able to enter the Seminary in the Rue Montesquieu as a free scholar.