The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-08-23

dull moralists and didactic pamphleteers?
The French Bricklayer.
The following anecdote of the French
bricklayer, who has recently been elected a
deputy of the French National Assembly, Is
related by a Paris correspondent of the
Boston Atlas. 1t well illustrates some fine
traits in the character of the common people
in France: M
The most remarkable member of the New
Assembly, is Naudaud, common working
mason and brcklayer, without any preten-
sion to talent, and who defends himself
from the imputation of having sought the
distinction thus gratuitousy 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 Grouse some
few years since, with no other baggage than
his bod and trowel, to seek employment in
Paris. Fortune favored him, and being
found to be a steady hard working fellow,
he was held in high estimation Ivy his EN-
ployers. His wife, meanwhile, had endeav-
ored to assist in obtaining living by keep
ing stall, from which she distributed fried
potatoes to the hungry comrades OF her
husband. This commerce succeeded better
than the handcraft of Naudaud and il was
soon found that she could earn more in one
day by her frying pan, than he could do in a
week 10y the most assiduous labor. Madame
Naudaud, thus encouraged by success, open
ed a small shop on the Place du Pantheon,
which became the resort Of all the masonS
and bricklayers in that quarter. The Lii
brary building of St. Genevieve was then
in progress, and sometimes as many as 500
DrG, x.o,,iI III h., &c ~,
good mother Naudaud, TO eat their soup,
and talk over the affairs of Government,
when work was over. During the tempest
occasioned Ivy 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 individuals, no longer eager
for the fulfment of their contracts, dismiss
ed the greater portion of their workmen;
and thus thousands were,lelt without money,
without employment, and almost without
hope. In tnis dilemma, Naudaud stepped
forward, unable to bear the sight of the mis-
cry around him, and with the consent of his
wife, announced his intention of continuing
to furnish dinner and supper as heretofore,
to those of his comrades whom the hardness
of the times had deprived of resources.-
You can Judge with what degree of enthu-
siasm such All announcement was received.
"My wife has saved 5000 francs,'' said
Naudaud to the assembled workmen. "if
we had not been honest and economical, we
should now have been as poor as you.-
we will live together upon this money till
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
go welI.'
Of course this proposition was agreed to
on the instant, and it is believed that in no
case was it deviated from during al the
troublous times. .Naudaud certainly never
expected any other acknowledgement Of his
generous conduct than thar afforded by the
esteem and gratitude of his friends; but his
wife, who participates with all Frenchwo-
men in that same ambition and self-confi-
dence which makes the whole country sub
ject to petticoat rule, entered into private
arrangement with her customers, by which
all obligations due to her were to be cancel
led by the nomination of her husband to the
Assembly. Most of the masons who work
in Paris come from the department of the
Grouse, and the affair was soon arranged;
the popularity of Naudaud among this class
being so great that he might have been elect
ed President had n vacancy occurred.-
They say that the surprise, however, far ex-
'ceeds the delight with which he greeted the
announcement of the distinction of which
he had been made the object, and that it is
merely 10 satisfy the ambition of his wife
that he consents to take his place in the
Chamber. He persisted in going to work
until the very day Of the meeting of the
Assembly, and presented himself at the door
in the very blouse ana cap which he had
ban okcu-tap,oI SIho nff,
duty at first refused to admit him, whereup-
on Nadaud, with the greatest sang .froid,
turned back, exclaiming, s'Do as you please,
my friend. IN go to work again. What a
good excuse shall have now! need only
tell my fellows that he won't admit me-"
The speech was overheard by the b, stand
ers, aud presently the officer came running
after the unhappy blousaire, and led him all
sheepish and ashamed.to the seat he was TO
occupy during the ensuing Session. Ii is
confidently asserted that had NadaUd been
thus compelled TO withdraw, the incident
would have caused serious riot in Paris.
"Hsw will you manage discourse!' said
his neighbor on the bench. 81 shan't speak
at ALL" replied Naudaud, 'sbut shalt con-
tent myself with voting for those who up
hold the constitution"
o. A gentleman residing in Albany, as
the story goes, seeing an freshman removing
an enbanknent from a dwelling, enquired:
ssPatrick, what are you doing!''
"I'm opening the cellar window to be
sure!"
"And what are you doing that fors"
"May ii plase your honor" replied Pat
rick, s'to let out the dGrkq"
90 The following is said to he the rates
of dinner bill furnished California pill
grim during a short stay at Rio Janeiro:-
Six eggs, $l2; one beefsteak, $I2; radishes
So; bread, IL; one bottle Of wine, $40;
segars, 81 80; coffee, 81; milk for coffee,
50. Total, 50 80.
% The Mexican Minister of War ia