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

closed his remarks with quotation from
Corneile or Racine, in which the cardeuse
was successfully compared to Alfalfa, Agrip-
pima and Borenice, TO all which poetical char
acters the one eyed widow bore a striking
resemblance.
Thus it will be seen that the enmity of the
cnrdeuse and the schoolmuster was rather n
pleasant of affair after all. 1t was something
TO think of: and whenever they were afflicted
with any little misfortune, they had the COM
fort of knowing that it must come from the
enemy's quarter. Ofcourse it never signi-
fled whether there was proof that such was
| the case or not; M. Camus and Madame Ma
rengo left proofs to the vulgar.
The parties were in the full enjoyment of
all their hatred, when n young working man
named Simoneau, about seventeen years of
age, came to lodge in the house, aud took
one of the attcs on the same landing with
Madame Marengo. He was one of those
joyous, contented looking beings whose con-
slant good humor secures them universal
good will. The world, after all, is generally
disposed to be friendly with those who seem
to be at peace with their own hearts. Though
Paul was without relations or near friends 81
though he earned but little in comparison
with his wants, he was not merely resigned
to his fate, like so many people, but perfect
~ satisfied with it, which was perhaps better
still, and certainly more pleasant 10 himself.
He soon became great tavorite with Mad
anne Marengo. She had resolved at first to
lie exceedingly reserVed;not approving of iu-
timacies between neighbors, as such affairs
witness herself and nj. Camus-never end
ed well. But this philosophy would not do
when applied to Paul. In the first place, he
had one ofthose clear, pleasant voices which
are perfectly irresistible; so ut least thought
the sergeant's widow, when she heard him
singing in the morning some popular strain
of Berapger's almost always referring to the
Grande .4rmee, or TO her darling emperor.
Then, in spite of herself her heart yearned
towards him;for he reminded her other youth
aud ola son about his own age, whom she
had lost many years ago, and who sang the
very same songs. Listening to him thus
morning after morning, the carleuse could
not help occasionally opening the door other
room, and thrusting out her head just TO give
him good humored nod as he went out to
his work. Paul answered by taking off his
cloth cap, and politely inquiring after her
health. With all her roughness, Madame
Mareugo was rigid Journalist. She would
have felt highly indignant Ind Il man,no mat
ter ofwhat degree, addressed her with his
hat on; and she was the more exacting of
such homage,t that she knew 1t was no longer
paid 10 her personal attractions, but TO her
sex and military service. When Pau, there
! fore, stood before her with his cap in his
hand, the good dame, smiling on him with
gratified pride, could not hut inquire If there
was any thing she might do for him? Should
she give. look to his little room, or feed his
bird whilst he was out, or do any little thing
of the kind? Paul generally accepted of her
services; for he saw that Madame Marengo
was never happier than when she had made
his little room quite neat, sewed a loose but
ton on his coat, or rendered him any trifing
service. In this manner, from mere acquain-
tances, they soon became friends. She loved
the young working man for his never falling
good humor, which seemed TO her TO gladden.
the whole ofthe gloomy house for the few
hours he spent in il; and he liked the car
deuse for her quaint sayings, old stories of
long fought battles,and the genuine kindness
which, Notwithstanding her outward rough
ness, still lived at her heart,
Ii happened that M. Pascal Camus, who
was, however, far more exclusive than even
Madame Marengo, was, like her, unaccoun-
tably Modified by the cheerfulness and good
TENDER of Paul Simoneau. 1t was this wor-
thy genteman's habit, when his pupils had
retired for the evening to sit on u chair near
the threshold of his school room, and thence
mark attentively who went up or came down
the stairs. The Fortress, whose Office he
thus usurped was highly indignant at his
presumption, which she ascribed to over
weening curiosity; but NJ Pascal Camus, like
all true philosophers, delighted to observe
human nature, and he declared that he had
learned more by sitting at his door, with his
little Annette working by his side, than from
the reading ofheavy tolios.
1t was thus he first saw Paul Simoneau
coming home from his work in the evening,
with his bag of tools thrown on his shoulder
and ascending the steep stair case that led to
his attic, with a step so free and elastic, that
M, Camus, who ayerred that he knew
mans temper by his tread, instantly saw that
Paul was perfectly happy. The young man
did not fail, on his part. to notice the school
masters quaint and stulppy figure; but see
ing him, evening after evening, in the same
attitude-for either summer or winter, M.
Camus was at his post-he began to think
that he could not pass by him without some
token of recognition. Not wishing, however
to make too free-z-there being nothing par
ticuarly inviting in NJ. Camus' solemn yisage
he merely bowed as he passed the door of
the school room. Here was proper conces-
sion. The schoolmaster acknowledged his
bow by condescending nod; but though it
would not have looked dignified to be pleas
ed, he was, to say the truth, exceedingly graf
efied. There must be something trnly de-
ightful in natural courtesy for it seldom fails
to conciliate. the most rugged and stern are
softened by it, because they feel that il is not
mere empty form; they see that 1t comes
from the heart.
M. Pascal Camus, though wise and learn
ed man, was not above being pleased with
the Difference of those whom he considered
his interiors. Paups bow showed the Sc
cret but respectful admiration which he felt
for bis-~M. Cainus'-character, his not VEN
turing OH any undue familiarity, also spoke
II L., ,R....v