Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1849-10-10

what can | do for you ?" asked Louis XIV.
who was capable Of very good emotions.
Il ask nothing sire"
But | insist. Whatever You ask you shall
haze"
"If your majcstv could give me Paulinc,'
whispered Jean Provost.
On. oh :" laughed Louis XIV, once more
himself again: "a love affair. Come, the trot-
teur shall sup tonight with the king whose life
he has saved. and tell his story. Bellisle, send
Il coach for him in the morning, or rather come
yourself. [ will give further instructions a.
bout this matter. But silence, my friend; not q
word"
The lieutenant Of police retired, and Louis
XIV, who was always delighted at novelty and
an unexpected amusement, took the t%rottcur,
lust as he was, to the Trianon, where he was to
sup with Madame de PompadOur: and there, III
the presence of the beautiful court taNorite,
made him tell his story. which Jean did with 4
~naiycte. truth. and sincerity which deeply in
terested the king, used wholly to another
atmosphere. Next morning Louis, after thank
ING Jean warmly, and holding a private con-
ference with Bellisle, said You shall have a
house in the park, my friend, near the Trianon.
You shall be honorary head gardener, with a
hundred louis a month for your salary, and
every morning YOU shall bring me Il bouquet
I 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, and while a
porter was taking down the shutters of the
shop, VI. Boularl called his wife and Pauline
into his little office The good mans air was
grave, and a little annoyed. He had gone out
the previous evening, and returned at late hour.
Pauline had long since retired to rest, but MIR.
Boulard had held a long conference with his
wife. The excellent citizen spoke with anima-
ton, and not without a little anger, but finally
cooled down before the soothing OF his
wife.
"Besides," said he triumphantly, "she can
never hesitate. Bah prefera wretched frotteur
to a substantial citizen-never."
"Pauline," began Mr.. Boulard in the NOR
ming, Il have to speak seriously to you. 1t
seems your marriage must be decided on at
once, since high people have troubled them
selves about it. But that | have spoken my
selfwith the minister Of police-I should think
never mind: | am not a fool. But of course |
should be wrong. Well, Pauline, you must
this morning decide. Two lovers are at your
feet-Alexis; and, you will never believe it.
Jean Provost the frotteur ! Isn't it ridicu-
lous"
Dear father, excuse poor JEAN" stammered
Pauline.
q knew you would forgive him, child. But
now you must decide freely, of your w will,
between them. We have our wishes; but that
is nothing: we leave you wholly unbiased
Speak out, like a good girl, and speak frank
ly."
"But, my dear father, Ihave no wish to mar
ry."
But, child, you must. You shall know the
reasons another time. So now, child, you must
speak out. Which is it to be-Alexis or
Jean ?"
"Must | speak now o. said Pauline blush
ing;
absolutely necessary"
'Then, dear papa, dear mamma, if it's all the
same to you, | like Alexis
81 knew it !" cried the delighted Boulard.
"Very we'll; but-I-love-Jean," and Pauline
buried her pretty, blushing, pouting face in her
hands.
The perfumer looked at his wife, his wife
have thought it"
"But," said Madame Boulard resignedly,
.perhaps, it's for the best"
tEIdpS, lCpilCu outolu ~
shake of his head. "Oh, women, women"
A knock came to the door, and then Jean
Provost entered, so we'll dressed, so proudly
happy, so handsome, that all started.
II am come to know nv fate" cried he; but
the rogue had heard the last words Of the old
couple through the half open door.
"She is YOURS cried NJ. Boulard with a sigh;
"though what a poor frotteur can want with
.,aL - ,-,;eo ;e poro tbop 7 CON i'm arina
II am not a poor frotteur," said Jean Provost;
Il am honorary head gardener OF the royal
gardens of Versailles, with a hundred louis of
monthly income, and a house large enough to
hold us, all, if you will come and live with US,
and sell your business. That you may under
stand my sudden rise, l may tell you, my new
parents-but never repeat it-that [ have luckily
saved the king from the attempt of an obscure
assassin, and that Louis XIV. has shown his
gratitude to the poor %frotteur."
"Monsieur jean
The Young man smiled; he had never been
called Monsieur before.
"Monsieur Jean, here is nv hand. We accept
and are very glad, since Pauline loves you. II
was for her sake we hesitated. There, take
her, and may you both be as happy as we have
BEEN" ard the old man looked affec~tionately al
his wife, and at the young couple, who hae
scarcely yet looked at one another.
They were married, and they were happy
They, went down to Versailles to live in tn.
house the king gave them them, and lived Their
long after Louis XV.'s death, the place being
kept for them by Louis XVI. Jean became
gardiner in reality; and for the eleven years tina
the king lived he never wanted a bouquet o
some kind when at his palace of Versailles; ant
far more wonderful, he never forgot the actor
of the frotteur, nor ceased to bear it in grateful
and pleased remembrance. A this death their
were two who shed genuine tears, and cas-
many a garland on his tomb-and these wer
Jean Provost and Pauline his wife.
Pretty Cocoa story is going the round