Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-10-27
THE FRENCH BRIckLAYER.

bricklayer, who has recently been elected
deputy to the French National Assembly,
is related by Paris correspondent of the
London .Atias. 1t well illustrates some
fine traits In the character of the common
people in France. ...... .......
The most remarkable member of the new
Assembly is Nauduad, common working
mason and brickaver, without any preten-
sion TO talent, and who defends himself from
the imputation of having sought the dis
tinction thus gratultously thrust upon him.
The history of this singular choice is most
curious. Naudaud, who is one of the most
honest creatures in existence, walked from
the department Of the Creuse some few
years since, with no other baggage than
his hod and trowel, to seek employment in
Paris. Fortune favored him, and being
found to be steady, Woodworking fellow,
he was held in high estimation by his en-
ployers. His wife meanwhile had endea-
vored to assist in obtaining living by keep
ing stall from which she distributed fried
potatoes, at a small profit to the hungry
comrades of her husband. H
The commerce succeeded better than the
handicraft OF Naudaud, and it was soon
found that she could earn mere in one day
by her frying pan, than he could do in a
week by the most assiduous labor. Ma
dame Naudaud, thus encouraged by success,
opened small shop on the Place due Pan
theon, which became the resort of all the
masons and brcklayers in that quarter
The library building of St. Genevieve was
then in progress and sometimes as many as
300 workmen would assemble IN the shop
of the good mother Naudaud, to eat their
soup and talk over the affairs of Govern
ment, when work was over. During the
tempest occasioned by the revolution Of
February, the distress among the masons
was greater than among any other class of
work-people. Public employment was
suspended entirely, While private individu-
ais, no longer eager for the fulflment of
their contracts, dismissed the greater por-
ton of their workmen and thus thousands
were left without money, without employ
ment, and almost without hope.
In this dilemma Naudaud stepped for
ward, unable TO bear the sight of the misery
around him, and with the consent of his
vile, announced his intention of continu-
ing to furnish dinner and supper as hereto
fore, to those OF his comrades whom the
hardness Of the times had deprived Of re-
sources. You can Judge with what degree
Of enthusiasm such an announcement was
received. "My wife has saved 5000
francs" said NaGdaud to the assembled
workmen. "ll we had not been honest
and economical we should now have been
as poor as you. We will live together
upon this money ill better times come
round. Those who earn ever SO small a
pittance must bring it to the fund. Let us
help each other and all will 90 WELL" Oh
course this proposition was agreed 10 on the
instant, and il is believed that in no case
was it deviated from during all the troub.
lous times. ..t .......,r
.Naudaud certainly never expected any
other acknowledgement of his generou.
conduct than that afforded by the esteem
and gratitude of his friends; but his wife
who participates with all FrenchWomen II
that same ambition and selt-confdenc,
which make the whole country subject Il
petticoat rule, entered into a private az
rangement with her customers, by which
all obligations due to her were to be can
cellcd by the nomination of her husband t.
the Assembly. Most of the masons VII,
work in Paris come from the Department
of the Creuse, and the affair was soon ar
ranged the popularity of Naudaud amoni
this class being so great that he might hav
been elected President had the vacancy oc
Cured. They say that the surprise, how
ever, far exceeds the delight with which
he greeted the announcement of the dis
tinction of which he had been made tn
object, and that it is merely to satisfy tn
ambition of his wife that he consents t
take his place in the Chamber.
He persisted in going TO work until tn
very day of the meeting Of the Assembly
and presented himself at the door in tn
blouse and cap which he had been accu.
toned to wear. The officer on duty reir
sed 20 admit him, whereupon NaudauC
with the greatest sang frojd, turned bac
exclalmlng, 'do as you please my iriend.-
l'll 90 TO work again. What a good e,
cuse | shall have now. | need only tell m
fellows that they won't admit me-" Th
speech was overheard by the by-stander
and presently the officer came running a
ter the unhappy bloussare, and led him a
sheepsh and ashamed to the seat he WI
to occupy during the ensuing session. 1t
confidently asserted that, had Naudar
: been thus compelled to withdraw, the inc
dent would have caused serious riot
, Paris. "How will you manage discourse
4 said his neighbor on the bench. 81 shar
speak at all" replied Naudaud, "bu, sha
, content myself with voting for those wi
: uphold the constitution.
, A POET in the Keene Republican,, celebr
ting the works of Dame Nature has an id