The southern press., 1851-08-06
~ x6yla Ye1(r111

Among sbs pSrphr Ffsneh writsss Of DE pres
ent day, there n oNs yonng uan whose prlneiPaoQs
IN these revolutionary tinsw, are sfriq1y reQn1iou-
ary and monarchioal. Like most an<hoyus he "
poor, but his nearest relative u rich unciss Who,
bssides being somewhat Of maser, i thoroegh.
going democrat and communlst. T'his decided
disparity Of sentiment between the yeune man
and the old, has tended in no ANAL degree 70 im-
povsrish the finances Of the former who y too
honest to conceal or modify his political OPINIONS
His uncle, although not q bad sort Of man, and
really fond Of his nephew, in common With many
wealthy socialists, kuos how 70 keep his gold,
aad has not the most remote idea os putting IN
practice the theory Of general philanthropy which
he eloquently breaches. =
One evening lately, the old gentleman enter
tained several Of his friends at dinner; he gave
them a splendid banquet and abundance Of the
best wine for he was one Of those persons who
are more willing to bestow ostentatlously on the
rich than charitabiy on the poor. His nephew was
among the guests, and whenever the conversation
tended towards the mixed question of politics, the
young writer maintained prudent silence.
At length the dessert was placed on the table,
and the host, ia all the frankness of convval in
tercourse, announced his democratic principles
boldly and uttered fierce TRADE against kings and
kingcraft While he was speaking, he saw his ne,
phew smile and shrug his shoulders.
"Whnt do you mean, sir" he asked, frowning
angrily.
II medUt uedJ uUCtot tUdt hltuOuSU YOU use uH
commonly strong language, in speaking against
kings, yet shrewdly suspect you are notqute so
much their enemy az you pretend to be-.
"I!'' cried the democrat"
'sYou. dear uncle and could, if chose, il fur
nish proof of your secret feelings"
"Do so then, by all means"
"Gentemen," said the young man, addressing
the company, "what do you think OF democrat
who treasures up and carefully conceals images OF
| royalty, portraits of kingsH'
"Do yon mean to assert that do so?"
''Yes, uncle, know you do; and think you
would act far more consistently in making me a
present of these portraits, truly revere their
originals. -
81 freely give you every one you can fnd."
"Good these gentlemen are witnesses. You
will not break your word 7"
"a true democrat never breaks his word. But
| require you to go at once and search for these
imaginary portraits, in order that you may have
TO confess your error. and justify me in the pre-
sence Of my friends"
"WiI you then give me your keys, SO that
may look everywherei"
| His uncle handed him the keys he left the din
| ing room, and was absent more than half an hour.
s'He may continue looking until Tomorrow
remarked the host, without finding what he
| seeks -
swell, sir" he said sharply, addressing his
nephew as he entered
'sWell, uncle, have not lost my time" !"
| "You have found something 7"
"Yes, in your desk"
i "Images of royaltyi"
"One hundred and sixty portraits Of kings in
silver, and thrty-fve in gold"
"What can you meant"
i "Seeing is believing" And the young man
empt.d on the table a bag filled with gold and sill
yer pieces.
"My money !'--cried the miser-"You have
taken my money J"
"Just look-I call these gentlemen to witness
here are pro6les of Napoleon, of Louis XVIII,
Of Charles X, Of Louis Philippe Are not these
images of royalty, portraits Of kings am only
sorry they are not more numerous, as you have
freely given me them all ; and scrupulously LET
all the pieces stamped with the efhgy of thu
Republic. A true democrat ought not 10 possess
f any others, and you well remarked, true de
mocrst never breaks his word, even when keeping
it costs him fifteen hundred francs"
Despite Of his anger, the uncle could not hell
laus hing, and amid the rapturous cheering OF tn
guests, he, like wise man, made virtue o
necessity, and confirmed to his nephew the pos
session Of froyalty's profiles.