Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-01-13
THE BELLOWS.M ENDER.
By MISS HELEN MARIA WILLIAMS.


| My history is composed Of tho most sin
gular circumstances. Condemned by my
birth TO vcgctnte among beings Of tho most
nbjcct class, my elevation was tho work OF
human malice. That vice Of society which
ruins so many fortunes, loid the solid foun
da,ion of mine. am married. rich, and
happy, from having been the dociIe instru-
ment OF un extraordinary act Of mischicv [!
BUSINESS.
| was born in some Of those little ham
lets, siunted in the ncighborhood Of Mon
teimnrt. in France. My fatbor had made
many fruitlcss effort to raiso himself q.
bOvc Indulgence. His last resource in his
old ago, arose from the exercise Of a talent
which he had acquired in his youth; ,ha,
of bellows member Thi-, though not a
very brilliant occupation, was The profes.
sion 10 which ] was destined, at that time
OF lie when ] was thought capable Of earn
ing my livelihood. Satisfied at first. in
following my business under the inspection
OF my father, nature had endowed me with
dispositions for industry, and soon rival
led, and oven excelled my master. Ambi>
ton led me TO imagine, that my ,nlcnts
were fitted for wider sphere; and some
OF my excursions as far as the gates Of
MontclImart, succeeded beyond my wishes.
Amer furnishing all could spare for the
support Of my fathers old age. found
means TO amass little sum of money, which
enabled mo to undertake a journey to Ly-
ons made my appearance IN that greet
CITY, amply provided with such articles as
belonged to my profession and the most
crowded streets soon rceounded with nv
cries. l was young, and dexterous, and
well shaped, sold my wares rapidly, and
became general favorito with the chnm-
Der maids; which was the utmost of my
ambition.
Returning home late one evening TO my
little garrett, which served me for ware
house as well as lodging, I was accosted by
Tour vel dressed young men. who seemed
to be taking an evening walk. We were
IN the most solitary street The of quar-
Ter OF St. Clair. They threw out few
pleasantries on the laicness of the evening.
accompanied by sarcasms on nv profession
OF bellows mcndor, which answered IN
style OF railery at which they appeared
surprised. saw them look at each other
sgnifcan'ly;-and Immediately ter, hear
them say-"This is our man. own that
these words made inc start findnu "y
| sef alone in tho Ju'h, wItnOut any means
Of resistance, and at tho mercy of four s,ou,
young men. What would become OF me
was The reflection that occupied my mind {:
when one Of them who guessed at the cause
Of my terror. soon dispeIled it by accosting
me 10 tono Of affabilily (,he
name which the people of Lyons give their
bellows .mendors) 'PerOurou,' said he, you
probably have mt supped: nor we either;
GU, supper is rendy, Will You 90 an sup
with us? Our in'cntions is 10 do you more
good han you have any idea of. Come
and sup with us {; and after supper VIC will
talk with you. DO not be afraid; we are
genllcmcn if you will not enter into our
schccns, we shall only require your prom
Use of secrecy. which you will run no risk
in Keeping
There was something in the voice of the
person who spike 10 me, as wei! as in the
proposition itself, SO seducing. that nc.
copied the offer without hesitation. NV
new acquaintance, after having made me
cross several streets. brought me into an
apartment elegantly furnished, where we
found six other young men, who seemed TO
have been waiting for them impatiently.
A short explanation took place concerning
me. and we sat gaiy down for supper. !
had the honor OF making the company
laugh, by some Of my arch observations !;
and confirmed them in The good opinion,
with which it was necessary they should
be impressed, before they would come to
an explanation. The servant withdrew,
after having placed the desert on the table,
and, during five minutes. profound silence
prevailed Throughout The assembly. which
| ~ kDn kot hon n ft,,n
At length he who presided at The repast
addressed mo in tho following words: -
"The ten persons with whom you have
suppcd are all citizens of Lyons. We are
. engravcrs; our joint profits with what we
obtain from our families. afford Us an easy
independence; and VIC also acquire by our
talents. a considerable share of reputation
The happiness We have enjoyed has lately
been disturbed by love on one side and
pride on the othor. In tho street of St.
Dominic lives picturc-mcrchant who is,
himself an ordinary parsonage, but who
has daughter eminently beautiful. The
city OF Lyons, extensive as it is, contains
not another master piece worthy of being
placed on n level with this charming crca-
! turc. Possessed Of every accomplishment
and endowed with every grace, all her
anlabIc qualities are shaded by one single
defect; and that defect is insupportablc
pride Vain Of being the object Of general
admiration, she iondly imaglnes that more
ought to aspire to her hand under the rank
ola prince. Her father, who is tolerablc
good connosscur IN paintings, but has a
very limited understanding with respect
to every thing else, has entirely spoiled her
6y adu'at'on, amounting almost to idolatry
} Novels, her ookinggIass, aud habilual in,
ccnse from all around her, have raised self
, love into vanity, and vanity into arrogance,