Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1848-10-13
The letter OF Recommendation
A TALE OF FRANCE.

Ell gloomy anu utSbIdlC
A lone foot traveller was ourneying the
high road between Valogues and Brlene~
bee. He was a young peasant, whose open
and frank countenance, pleased at the first
glance. The Sunday suit which he wore
gave evidence that he was not out for labor,
but for some visit in the neighborhood.
Antoine Merry was, in fact, going to the
chateau of NJ. de Rabau, one of whose
farms was about becoming vacant, and
which Antoine wss DESTROYS of leasing
But the applicants for it were so numerous
that he had no hope of succeeding without
the kind representations OF Master Revere
the notary Of Valogues, who had given him
letter to the proprietor.
Through this recommendation Antoine
was deserving of consideration; for, if his
capital was but small, the want of it was
well supplied by zeal, intelligence, and
probty. He already saw from alar the
roof of the chateau of Rabeau, when sud-
denly the baying of some animal in distress
fell upon his ear. 1t seemed to proceed
from the old quarry, left open at the side
of the road. Antoine ran to the spot and
perceived at the bottom of the abyss lit
Tie uOp nan SIBOucTCu III LIlC SHuH'
AS ne saw Antoine, the poor fellow rose
on his hind legs and redOubled his cries for
relief. Mercy was deeply imbued with
that instructive sympathy which lnducs us
to aid and assist all who are suffering. He
thought, too, that ne recognized the dog as
one belonging To a poor woman, his neigh
Dor, to whom its loss would be the severer,
AS it was her solo companion. 10 be sat
shed that he was right, he called, " Brls-
quet:" the little animal wagged his tail and
rednubled his cries. Antoine no longer
doubted, and, looking around him, he saw
a sort of t0riuous pathway by which de
scent could be made to the bottom OF the
ravine, and he then hazarded an attempt,
not without some risk, as the pathway was
precipltous and the frost had made II slip
perry. Three or four times his footrnggave
way. and he rolled into the snow; bur at
length he arrived near Brlsque', who had
no doubt. fell lnto the ravlne, as two OF his
feet were wounded and he was almost num-
bed with the cold.
Antoine took him in one arm, re-2scend"
ed by the aid of the other, and continued
his route to the chateau of Rabau.
This gentleman, who had been many
wears in the navy, where he reached the
rank of Vice Admiral, had resided in the
country but few months; notwlthstand-
ing which he was already notorious tor his
irritable, grabbed disposition. Ills benev~
Olence was even envelOped with so much
roughness that it became repuIslve. Quick
10 take otft nee, he became at last unap-
proachable. and the better qualities OF hls
heart became, SO to say, annlhlIatcd by the
faults of his character.
Antoine, who knew him by reputation,
took care to leave Brlsquet in an attic cham
Der and to have himself announced As com
ing from Master Revere. The servant, at
ter long absence returned, opened the Adj
miral's door and made sign TO the peasant
TO enter. But Antoine stopped at the
Threshold on hearing the voice of Rabau,
complaining of being interrupted.
MAY the five hundred devils burn him.
said the old sailor; one cannot breakfast
in peace"
And, turning towards Antoine.-
well. what the devil do you want
said he III a brutal tone.
Excuse me, admiral" said he, retiring,
and awkwardIy bowling and scraplng his
foot. Il will return at a later moment"
mo! speak, seeing you have got here"
said NJ. Rabu, you come from the notary
of Valgucs! ?"
Yes, Admiral"
"And you bring me letter -
Here it is.
The old sailor seized it with eagerness.
"Pardieu am anxious to know if he
I,l,., /, 4 ~ n,lS.'
he grumbed-" shan't be easy until the
bill of sale is signed.
lie opened the letter which he ran over
rapidly.
How is this, nothing!" said he on reach
ing the signature.
Damn me he has forgotten about it:
may the five hundred devils burn him -
these notares are all alike-didn'th he give
you any message"
NO, Admiral"
Have YOU no other letter -
None"
"Aud put faith in him. said he: NAV
the Ave hundred devils burn HIM | should
have attended To the business myself. |
will do i--ves. I'll be right off 10 see the
baron myself. Order my carriage, Louis"
The servant left the room, and the Admiral
paced the room with hurried steps and con-
tnued his analhemas against the notary, in
terarded with his habilnaI epithet,
The embarrassment of Antoine Merry be-
came extreme. lie twrled his hat. and did
not know whether to retire or remain, when
the eyes of NJ. Rabau lighted on him.
"Eh, well and this one loor' said the
old sailor, "where the devil does he come
from TO thaw thus ;"
The peasant looked at his feet and per-
eeiyed with astonlshment, that the snow
which had stuck to him when descending
to the rescue of Brisquet was melting in
the warm atmosphere of the room, and had
formed a pool Of water on the magnificent
carpet which covered the floor. lie long,
ed to be away-but the mischief was
done.
MAY The fvehundred devils bum you"
cried the Admiral, finding an ap. appNoa-
uon for his iavorte oath, "what did you
come here for, what 10 you waRti"
al beg pardon, Admiral said the dis