Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-10-02
MISCELLANEOUS.
THE GENTLE MAIDEN.
FROM THE FRENCH OF S. HENRY BERTHou

FRENCH OF 81 HENRY bEhihpO
Heaven be praised the coucolts" have almost en-
,reiv disnnpeared from the neighborhood of Paris
In few wears not trace'will be left OF these de-
testoble vehicles. Under pretence OF conveying
travellers these horrible machines subject unhappy
mortals TO the most dreadful joltngs; keep them,
besides in constant cloud of dust, and exposed TO
the hottest rays of the sun, as well as TO every
nnssinp shower and again, do not furnish the least
protection against the winters cold. Strange So
linton of that problem, how one can continue to
move without advancing, it takes them two hours
to travel single league And then, too, the surly
driver. the broken windcd and sorry horses, inc
seats mere planks, only paned down, tue STOCKS IN
which one was compelled to keep his feet WIN
only few alterations, the coucouS would have SER
we'd an CHeCutoner III inc uluue oSc, u9 " iO"lIu'
instrument of torture.
II was in one of these contrlvances OF ailllcton,
nm one rainy morning, that an individual was obll-
ged to take seat, in consequence OF an accident
that had happened to his own carriage. lie SUB
nit,ed to the misfortune with joyous ana almost
childish resignation, and seemed very much anu
sed Mt the ida Of terminating his journey III cou-
~, Whilst his domustics we're actively employ
cd in RAISING the fallen carriage, and taxing the
,yol,ron 70 the village blacksmith, the traveller
climbed no the dangerous steps that LED 10 inc lhle
ror of the coucou, and took his seat not however
without SMILE at the Arotesque appearance OF the
dr,ver whose projecting chin, flat nose, ana low
tOrlpaU.
rather than to human being. The Autonedon
did not appear to be in great hurry to start, and
b;s only unlocked for passenger did not seem to
mind this delay for he wished Tor some companions
on his route that he might lose none OF the anu
sine incidents Of his situation Alter ABOUT twenty
minutes DELAY which the traveller passed IN TURN
inu over the leaves Of book, and the coachmon IN
looking around him, from his seat, but without see
inc ANYTHING, like sister Anna, in the tale OF Blue
Beard except the grass of the field and the dusty
road it was at length necessary to start. ne
horse oroaned under the lash, The wheels creaked,
and the traveller hastily changed his seat from the
back to the front for such was the pitching OF the
coucou that no one could stand the iirst shocks 1t
gave him. From the first seat he returned TO the
Second. but he could not find any that were COM
Portable. The unfortunate sufferer began to regret
that he had not remained al the village to await his
own carriage when all at once the vehicle stop
ned. A Young girl, hardly giving the driver time
TO open the heavy door, sprung upon the heavy
steps and seated herself on the lower seat, by the
side of its occupant. He scrutnlzed the compan-
ion whom chance had thus thrown into his way
smile liChtened his whole face, which, until then
had retained a serious, but benevolent expression.
He had never seen more lovely maiden. VI a
fair complexion, rosy cheeks, small IN size, her
large blue ewes indicated at vivaclty and ill.,
nocent frankness. Although the heavens were
darkened by thick clouds, her golden locks seemed
almost irradiated by the rays OF sun. She put a
basket of flowers at her feet, adjusted the rlbands
of her pretty little lace bonnet looked by turns up
on the coachman and her unknown companion
"Thank Heaven" said she, joyfully, :" that have
arrived in time"
Without minding the rough jolts of the carriage
and as much at her ease, apparently, ASH sue were
seated in the softest arm chair, che began TO looB
ont through the glass at the trees, the country, the
road and the little birds, which were covering
themselves with the moistened dust In the ruts o.
the road Soon, however, the rain beatso violently
against the glass that it was no longer possible 10
her to look out. Without showing any uneasines
al this she took her basket upon her knees, TOOL
out the flowers it contained, and essayed TO arrange
them in boquets. She did this, however, so unskll
fully that the boquet was not at all IN good taste
and her travelling companion could not repress
half SMILE She raised her head as gracefully al
bird and blushing slightly, but without any show
of dispeasure, sad:
81 do this but poorly; do not, slr"
He gave a friendly smile, in assent. She endea
vored, but in vain, to do better. Two or tlre
times the flowers were arranged in different ways
but neither time were they fixed tasteiully. a
length she gave up in despair
The traveller had carefully watched her efforts.
"You ought, indeed, sir" said she, this time wit
slight veXation and that air Of authority whlc
youth and beauty always give, "you ought, sir, t
Show me how 10 arrange them better"
lie smiled at her proposal, WHICH seelheu W
muse HIM, nightly, and replied:
"With the greatest pleasure, Miss
She put all her flowers in his lap, and watche
him while he arranged them. AS soon as she sa'
the manner in which he proceeded, the young 81
initiated him so well that when the coucou ha
reached the barrier, two pretty boquets were con
petely finished. But it must be acknowledged II
pupi had surpassed her teacher; the latter candle
ly confessed it.
The girl took the two boquets, placed them !
the basket and profound silence succeeded IL
intimacy which the lessons in boquet-maklng ha
brought about between them.
The coucou approached the end Of its route
The Young girl seemed very much occupied
THOUGHTS 10 which she hesitated to give utteranc
and her cheeks were sulused WIN Deautilui oIu'
and she said:
"If the gentleman will accept one Of these nos
gays it will give me great pleasure"
"Thank you, my pretty child your flowers a
very beautiful, but ought not to deprive those
them for whom you destined them"
This argument seemed irresistible to the YOU
pirl for she did not insist upon it, but took from
boquet the most beautiful pink she could hnd, a
presented ito her nelghbor.
This time he took the flower, and placed II
the red rband tied to his button hole Inc you
girl appeared delighted with the value which
Seemed TO attach to her gift AT thls moment
carriage had reached the end OF It's Journey.
The girl put ner hehu OUT VI th0 "''' " ~
drew it back at rains hard," cried she, and
gave an anxious look at her neat coored linen DIRE
her black silk apron and her new busklns VIII
well set off her pretty foot.
Mademoiselle," said the stranger to her, IN
friendly manner, "you have shared your bop
with me, permit me to offer you seat IN the
rage which am going to order" As he spo
he bestowed so liberal a sum upon their sturdy
yer as almost to restore him to good nature.
ran as quickly as possible, procured carrld
opened the door, held the large flap OF his or
coat over the head of the young girl, instead OF
umbrella.
aWhither am l to take you ?" said hs comp
ion much amused at the con6ding artlessness
which the grisete had accepted his protection
"Rue du Pas de la Mule, No 3"
1t was some moments before the carriage rea
edthe designated place. The unknown im'ta
the contriyance of The driver to protect the DIR
n - .....!!. ID