Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-04-27

no notice of this treacherous attack. Thus the
two antagonists exulted in their imaginary tri
umph over each other, admirng their own wis
dom, and plying the blindness of their foe.
This dream, so soothing 10 the pride of the two
antagonists was unfortunately disturbed by Pau
Sinioncau; he did not, or would not, understand
that their enmty was for them very pleasant and
comfortable feeling; and he actually took great
pains to destroy it In the first place, he com
pletely undeceived them as to the belief each had
so long entertained that the other was always
engaged IN some dark plot against his or her
welfare. He proved to Mr. Camus that Madame
Marengo thought much more about her mattras.
SEES than about him; whist he clearly showed
her that she was of very secondary importance
IN the schoomasters opinion, by assuring her,
when she wanted TO know all the bitter things
he had been saying of her. that NJ. Camus had
not uttered her name to him for the last week.
vi course madame could not believe this it was
said to spare her feelings; but Paul need not
fear; she was accustomed to the sold Cossack's'
hatred, &c. When Paul, however, assured her
that this was actually the case, she felt exceed
ingIy disappointed and haughtily wondered
whether NJ. Camus meant TO insult her by such
behavior? M. Camus felt himself equally ag-
grelved on learning from the young man that he
was not the first object of Madame Marengo's
thoughts. The two enemies now began to dis
cover that the charm of their hatred was rapidly
vanishing away: and as this was evidently Paul's
dong, they would have quarrelled with him had
the thing been possible. But he looked so I'M
conscious of harm, and seemed so pleased when
ne had been saying something likely to reconcile
them
Matters went on thus for some time, until grad
ually, and in spite of themselves, the feelings of
the two antagonists began to mollify. Paul had
the art-if that could be called art which was SO
natural to him of setting things in their most
pleasant and kindly aspect. There was not
good trait in the character of Madame Marengo
which he did not repeat to NJ. Camus, and uice
rorsa. This did not produce very strong effect
on the schoolmaster, whose heart was somewhat
tough; but Madame Marengo's was of softer
texture. Being what is termed woman of
strong affections, she could not remain in state
OF Indifference. Her hatred for the schoolmas-
ter was fast melting away evidently it would
be replaced by better feeling. AL at once she
began to discover that NJ. Canus was remark
able man. and profoundly learned; then his
daughter Annette was such nice, pretty girl
IN short, there were SO many reasons for liking
MN upon the whole. One morning. when she
was thus favoraby disposed, the cardeuse
CHANGED 10 perceive M. Pascal Camus standing
at the door of his school-room: he looked so ma.
Jestic, that her heart was touched she could not
resist the temptation of calling up an amable
smile on her weatherbeaten features, gently nod
ding to him as she passed by. At first NJ Ca.
mus was so much astonlshed, that, as he after
wards observed, he Renamed rooted 10 the spot
but as he knew nothing of Madame Marengo's
favorable feelings, and considered her courtesy
an audacious insult, he soon rallied, and eyeinr
the smiling cardeuse with glance of unuttera.
Bile scorn, he turned his back upon her with
naughty contempt
Madame Marengo was highly indignant to
iind her advances repulsed her hatred now re.
and as she was going to work
the very same day for dyer's wife who lived
heXt door, she did not neglect this opportunity
OF venting her spleen on NJ. Camus, by giving
him every fault which human being could pos
sibly possess. On the evening of The next dav.
when Paul began speaking to her of NJ. Camus,
the cardeuse Immediately declared she would
hear nothing about him.
"Ah, madame" depreca,ingly observed Paul,
me is so unhappy just now. You know that he
has not many scholars. Well, the Overs wife,
who lives next door, had promised to send her
little nephew to his school he was to get fifteen
francs month with him, and it would have Just
paid his next quarters rent. If you were to
know how glad he and Annette were about it
for though she is only thirteen, he tells her eve
rything. AS they were telling me of it this
evening, the dyer's wife came in, and taking
Monsieur Camus into the other room, told him
that she could not think Of sending her nephew
to has school, as he was known TO be such
shocking bad character; that she had good au-
thori.y for what she said but not liking to make
mischief, would not name the person from which
she had learned this She spoke so loud that
Annette and could hear every word poor An
nete cried all the time. When the Overs wife
was gone-and she did not stay long Monsieur
Camus came out, looking so sad, that il made nv
heart ache. Poor man, he was thinking about
his rent, and wondering what he should dom
Every word that Paul uttered smote NADINE
Marengo to the heart. Her hatred turned to
compassion. She was evidently the cause of all
this mischief and bitterly did she repent ever
having uttered a word against the schoolmaster.
Whilst Paul remained with her, Madame Maren-
go laid her feelings under some restraint but as
soon as she was alone, she began wondering how
she could repair the injury she had inflicted on
NJ. Camus, This seemed difficult enough: but
though hopeless Of success, she resolved to speak
to The dyer's wife the next morning. As she had
expected, she failed; the boy had already been
sent to another school the dyer's wife was. be
sides, one of those persons who make it rule
never to retract resolution, however absurd or
erroneous it may be. Madame Marcngo came
home with heavy heat. What was she to do
nj.
Camus, and tell him all But besides that the
cardeuse wanted sufficient magnaniniily for this.
she knew that 1t would not restore the lost schol.
ar. Alter mature deliberation, she AT length re-
solved to make another effort to get reconciled
to the schoolmaser, hoping TO be able to render
him some service, which might compensate for
the harm of which she was the cause. The very
same day Paul was charged to bear proposals of
peace to NJ Pascal Camus from Madame Maren.
go. In his present humbled condition, NJ, Ca
mus found this exceedingly gratifying.
"You see, Paul." observed he with calm die.
nifty, ''the moral power of genius. | have at
length compelled Madame Marengo to acknowl.
edge, us she was bound to do, my superiority.
cannot, however, grant her request without
certain restrictions. She has braved me too
long for this, and it would not do to let people
think they have only to ask my forgiveness in or
der to receive it."
Accordingly, M. Cunus clogged his consent
by so many vexatous and naughty clauses, that
Paul declared Madame Marengo would never
submit TO them 81 don't care sir" replied the
infexbe schoolmaster; 81 did not make any
friendly proposals to Madame Murengo If she
will not agree TO the teruls Offer it is perfectly
indifferent to me. But she will agree to them,
depend upon it," he added with a complacent
smile ii saw it'in her eye the last time she at
tempted to insult me; that woman's spirit is con,
qnered, sir"
Though Paul somewhat doubted this asser