Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1849-10-18
8 elect AltstrIlanp.
PAULINE:
A ISTORIC SKETCH.
BY PERCY B. ST. JOHN.

Pauline was an orphan adopted by some wor-
thy citizen of the Rue st. Honore, Paris, who
having brought her up to the age Of sixteen, had
| placed her in his shop "a perfume warehouse
to dispense his goods at the counter. Women
in France are almost universally the practical
heads of commercial establishments. The mas
ter of the house, when he does not lounge away
in cafe, play billiards or cards half the day, or
walk about like one living on his means, is con
tented to occupy dignlfed and retired position,
attending, not 10 sales, but to wholesale purcha
ses. But such was not the case with NJ. Bou.
lard, the adopted father of Pauline. Both he
and his wife shared the labors of the shop to-
gether; he keeping the books, while Pauline
and Madame Boulard attended to the details.
The young girl was pretty and very modest, and
her presence contributed not little to the sue
cess of the business. The good couple, having
no children of their own, had manifested their
intention of making Pauline their heiress, and
this added to the charm which hung over the
perfumers store.
Pauline had many lovers, a great many-as
young ladies who are pretty and modest, are apt
to have, especially when rich; for although the
world is not half so selfish and wicked as certain
persons fancy, yet grain of interested love will
always peep out among the truest suitors. Two
lovers were chiefly assiduous in their attentions
the one, rich shopkeeper of the same street
the other poor .trotteu. Both were young
toleraby good looking, and very devoted in theil
attachment and it would have been hard to say
which was most deserving. But Monsieur Alexis
Laparaut was rich, and Jean Provost was poor
1t will readily be understood that the parents o
Pauline would not have hesitated in their choice
but they knew only of the affection of Alexis
that of Jean was concealed even from himself
Alexis came often to the house under one pre-
tence or nnothel, and was always favoraby re
ceived The good Bouards were highly fiat
tered at his preference. Pauline liked his fran
open manners, and always greeted him with
smile The frotteur-one who wakes and shine
by means of rubbing the wooden floors of room
came 10 the house in the exercise of his trade
> He always bowed low to Pauline, and asked he
1 how she was, and even on her feie day ha
. brought her single rose, which was gracousl
9 received Jean was also a commissioner, an
ran on eTrands, and often came to the house
8 buy perfumes, soap, &C., for his employers, VIII,
h approaching his honesty and desire for worl
). freely trusted him with purchases How happ
n Jean was if Pauline only served him; and no
q gentle and respectful were his tones, and no
little he concealed his happiness if she gave MI
r. a good natured word Pauline could not /
blind to the open love of Alexis, or the concealc
?. affection of the poor frotteur; but however tn
II may be, she said nothing, and appeared to motto
. neither. But young Laparaut had spoken to o
+ Bouard, Boulard had spoken to his wife, and h
"a; wife to the young girl; hut she kissed her adop
"a ed mother SO affectionately, and said 50 gent
that she wished not to leave home, that the wo
r. thy woman wOs silent and put of little viii
. any serious discussion of the matter.
y Jean, meanwhile, became sombre and though
le full he dared not hope, he dared not even THU
Of making an offer; he, poor workman, vi