The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-11-22

sprightly word. Pretending TO play with
the spaniel, and to repress its indiscreet
caresses, he placed every bunch of flow
ers near the animals nose, and then laid
it down on the mosaic table. Madame de
Pompadour laughed, bat hid her laughter
with her fan.
sIf they feel hurt2' she said in whis-
per.
1t is your spaniel, countess replied
the king gallantly,
The foreign ministers had precedence,
and had presented their boquets. The
members of the royal family came next,
having courteously allowed the diplomatic
corps TO precede them. The king took the
boquet from the hands of the nearest blood
royal, who stepped back bowling. He
held the flowers TO the spanieFs nose; the
poor brute shifted it, reeled and fell dead!
Madame de Pompadour turned pale, and
would have shrieked, but the king had
warned her by look.
Not a word,' whispered he; 1T is moth
ing! Drop the fold of your dress over the
poor animal. 1t has died to make true the
saying, 'Son of king-brother of king
never a king!
The ceremony continued, Louis XIV.
completely concealing his emotion, while
Madame de Pompadour smothered her
alarm and curiosity. AS soon as all was
over, the king retired to his chamber,
and sent for the lieutenant of the police,
who was at once struck by his solemn
manner.
Am | to arrest the guilty, sire?'
You are correctly informed, Belisle.-
Last year the dagger of Damaines; this
time bunch of flowers; and always from
this quarter. | cannot, nor ought to pun
ish. ordered you to desist from enquiring
into this mystery. Where is the man who
saved me?'
Close at hand, sire;' replied the lieu
tenant, who knew we'll whence the blow
came, and also that it descended from too
exalted hand and too near a relative TO
be noticed.
Bring him to me-
i am at your orders, sire;' and the lieu
tenant ofthe police bowed. Nj. Bertin de
Belisle was far TO honest a man to do as
most of his predecessors would have done
used the discovery and kept all the mer-
it to themselves.
Il have brought this good man with me,
sire continued Berth; 'he is in the guard
room, all confused and alarmed al being in
palace in his rude working dress.
so much the BETTER said the king;
st is at least an honest costume and an
honest occupation. Bring him in Mon
sieur; | will receive him better than |
would courtier.'
Bertin went out, and returned leading
the frotteur by the hand. Jean Provost
bold, stout fellow though he was-trem-
bled, held down his head, and turned and
twisted his cap in his hands quite unawares
that he was pulling it all to pieces.
Embrace your king cried Louis XIV,
with grateful tear in his eye; this is your
first reward
Sire, said Jean, falling on his knees,
i ask no reward but the feeling of having
saved your majesty
Come hither,' and the king seized him,
and kissed him on both cheeks.
Il am unworthy of such honor
what can | do for your asked Lou
| is XV., who was capable of very good
emotions.
Il ask nothing, sire
But insist. Whatever YOU ask YOU
shall have
If your majesty could give me Pauline,
whispered Jean Provost.
'Oh, oh!' laughed Louis XIV, once more
himself again; "a love affair. Come, the
frotteur shall sup to night, with the king
whose life he saved and tell his story
Beiisle, send coach for him in the morn
ing, or rather come yourself. | will give
you further instructions about this matter.
But silence, my friend: not word
The lieutenant of the police retired, and
Louis XIV, who was always delighted at
novelty and unexpected amusement, took
the frotteur just as he was, TO the Trianon,
where he was to sup with Madame de
! Pom padonr; and there, in the presence OF
the beautiful court favorite, made him tell
his story, which Jean did with a naviette,
truth and sincerity which deeply interested
the king, used wholly TO another atmos-
phere. Next morning Louis, after shak-
ing Jean warmly by the hand, and hold
ing private conference with Belisle, said
syou shall have house in the park, my
friend, near the Trianon. You shall be
honorary head gardener, with hundred
louis month for your salary, and every
/ morning you shall bring me boquet.
shall thus never forget you, nor the cause
which compels my everlasting gratitude
Next morning at an early hour, before
the business of the day commenced, anc