The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-05-06

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in whom she felt an interest, for she would
never admit that M. Cnmus might love Paul
| for his own sake; everything was done TO vex
md annoy her. NJ. Canius entertained a
similar opinion, ''lf Madame Marengo paid
the young man any little attentions, il was
because she knew that this was offensive TO
him." But they both agreed that such con-
duct was too contemplate TO be worthy ofthe
least attention, and determined to disappoint
the enemy by taking no notice ofthis treach-
erous attack. Thus the two antagonists eX-
ulted in their imaginary triumph over each
other, admiring their own wisdom, and pity
ing the blindness oftheir foe.
This dream, SO soothing TO the pride ofthe
two antagonists, was unfortunately disturbed
by Paul Simoneau; he did not, or would not,
understand that their enmity was for them n
very pleasant and comfortable feeling; and
he actually took great pains to destroy It. In
the first place, he completely uEdeceived
them as to the belief each had so long enter
tained-that the other was always engaged
in some dark plot against his or her welfare.
He proved to NJ. Camus that Madame Maren-
go thought much more about her mattresses
than about him; whilst he clearly showed her
that she was of very secondary importance
in the schoomaster's opinion,by assuring her,
when she wanted to know all the bitter
things he had been saying of bertha NJ. Ca
mus had not uttered her name to him for the
last week. Ofcourse madame could not be-
lieve 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 ac-
tuay the case, she felt exceedingly disnp-
pointed and haughtily wondered whether NJ.
Camus meant to insult her by such behavior?
M. Camus felt himself equally aggrieved on
learning from the young man that he was not
the first object of Madame Marengo's
thoughts. The two enemies now began to
discover that the charm oftheir hatred was
rapidly vanishing away: and as this was evil
IDENTITY Paul's doing, they would have quar-
relied with him had the thing been possible.
But he looked so unconscious of harm, and
seemed so pleased when he had been saying
something to likely to reconcile them!
Matters went on thus for some time, until
gradually. and in spite ofthcmselves, the feel
ings of the TWO antagonists began to mollify.
Paul had the art--ifthat could he called art
which was so natural to hn-ofsetting 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 versa. This did not
produce very strong effect on the school
master, whose heart was somewhat tough:but
Madame Marengo's was of softer TEXTURE
Being what is termed a woman of strong af-
fections, she could not remain in n state ofin-
difference. Her hatred for the schoolmaster
was fast melting away! evidently it would be
replaced by n better feeling. All at once she
began to discover that Nj. Camus was re-
markable man. and profoundly learned; and
then his daughter Annette was such nice,
pretty girl! in short, there were so many rea-
sons for liking him upon the whole! One
| ,,,ornipu Ss,ban che c thI,c fuvOrphiU dis
posed the cardeuse CHANGED to perceive NJ.
Pascal Camus standing at the door of his
school-room; he looked so majestic, that her
heart was touched; she could not resist the
temptation of calling up an amiable smile on
her weatherbenten features, gently nodding
to him as she passed by At first NJ. Camus
was so much astonished, that as he afterward
observed, he remained rooted 10 the spot: but
as he knew nothing of Madame Mareugo's
favorable feelings, and considered her cour-
tesy an audacious insult, he soon rallied, and
eyeing the smiling cardeuse with glance of
unutterable scorn, he turned his back upon
her with naughty contempt.
Madame Marengo was highly indignant TO
find her advances repulsedi her hatred now
returned tenfold; and as she was going to
work the very same day for dyer's wife who
lived next door, she did not neglect this OPP
portunity of venting her spleen on M. yCamus
by giving him every fault which human be-
ing could possibly possess. On the evening
of the next day. when Paul began speaking
to her ofM. Camus, the cardeuse Immediate
Iy declared she would hear nothing about
him.
"Ah, madame" deprecatingly observed
Paul, abe is so unhappy ju; now. You know
he has not many scholars. Well, the dyer's
wife, who lives next door, had promised TO
send her little nephew TO his school; he was
10 get fifteen francs month with him, and It
would have lust paid his next quarters rent.
II YOU were to know how glad he and An
nette were about it--lor though she is only
thirteen he tells her everything AS they were
telling me of it this evening. the dyer's vile
came in, and taking Monsieur Camus into the
other room, told him that she could not think
of sending her nephew to his school, as he
was known to be such shocking bad char
acter; that she had good authority 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
Annette cried all the time. When the dyer's
wife was gone-and she did not stay long
Monsieur Camus came out, looking so sad,
that it made my heart ache. Poor man, lac
was thinking about his rent, and wondering
what he should dow
Every word that Paul uttered smote Mad
anne Marengo to the heart. Her haired turn
ed to compassion. She was evidently the
cause of all this mischief and bitterly did she
repent eyer having uttered word against
the scboolmaster Whilst Paul remained
with her, Madame Marengo 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. Ca.
mus This seemed difficult enough; but tho
hopeless of success, she resolved to speak TO
rho dvar:s wife the next morning, AS she had