New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1852-09-04

chase nef Wlth the ass1gnatS, however, it was
quite another affair. But couragel He might
surely play the notary's game with his friend
Souday; that could not be so difficult
&C You have no use for cocotte,' 2 suggested De-
lessert modestly, after exchanging fraternal
salutations with his friend
ssSuch an animal is always useful p promptly
answered Madame Souday, sharp, notable lit
tie woman, with vinegar aspect.
g To be sure--to be surei And what price do
you put upon this useful animals''
tsCela depends --" replied Jean, with an
interrogative glance at his helpmate.
&c Yes, as Jean says, that depends-entirely
depends-" responded the wife.
"Upon what, cheyenne Z"
"Upon what is offered, parb1eu! We are in
no hurry to part with Cocotte; but money is
tempting"
"Well, then, suppose we say, between friends,
fifty francs?''
q Fifty francs That is very little; besides,
do not know that shall part with Coeotte at
all"
.sCome, come-be reasonable. Sixty francs!
| Is it a bargain!"
Jean still shook his head
Tempt him with the actual sight of the
money" confidently suggested Madame souday
s' that is the only way to strike bargain with
my husband"
| Delessert preferred increasing his offer to
| taking this advice, and gradually advanced to
| a hundred francs, without in the least soften
| ing Jean Souday's obduracy. The possessor Of
the assignats was fain at last to adopt Madame
souday's iterated counsel, and placed hun
dred and twenty paper francs before the owner
of Cocotte. The husband and wife instantly, as
silently, exchanged with each other, by the
only electric telegraph then in use, the words
ssI thought so!'
! "This is charming money, friend Delessert,' ?
said Jean Souday-" far more precious to an
1tnbfa ,nd
stamped with efigies of kings and queens, Of
the ancien regime. 1t is very tempting; still,
l do not think | can part with Cocotte at any
price,
Poor Delessert ground his teeth with rage,
but the expression of his anger would avail
nothing; and, yielding to hard necessity, he at
length, after much wrangling, became the pnr-
chaser Of the old mare for two hundred and fifty
francs-in assignats. We give this as speci-
men Of the bargains effected by the owner Of
Les Pres with his borrowed capital, and as
afording key to the bitter hatred he from
that day cherished toward the notary, by whom
| he had, as he conceived, been SO egregiously
duped. Toward evening he entered wine shop
in the suburb of Robertsau, drank freely, and
| talked still more SO, fatigue and vexation hav-
\ ing rendered him both thirsty and bold. Des-
touches, he assured every body that would lis
| tened to him, was a robher-a viflain-a vaIii-
| pire blood sucker, and he, Delessert, would be
amply revenged upon him some fine day. Had
the loquacious orator been eulogising some ones
extraordinary virtues, it is very probable that
all he said would have been forgotten by the
morrow; but the memories of men are more
tenacious of SANDER and evil speaking, and thus
it happened that Delessert's vituparative and
menacing eloquence OH this occasion was there
| after reproduced against him with fatal power
| Albeit, the now nominal proprietor Of Les
Pres, assisted by his son and Cocotte set to work
manfully at his new vocation; and by dint Of
working twice as hard, and faring much worse
than he did as journeyman .ferbiantier, con-
trived to keep the wolf, if not far from the door,
at least from entering it. His son, Lie Bossu,
was cheerful, willing lad, with large dark,
inquisitive eyes, lit up with much cleared intel
ligence than frequently falls to the share of per-
i sons Of his age and opportunities. The father
and son were greatly attached to each other
and it was chiefly the hope Of bequeathing Les
Pres, free from the usurious gripeo Destonches
to his boy, that encouraged the elder Delesseri
to persevere in his well nigh hopeless husbandry
| Two years thus passed, and matters were be
ginning to assume less dreary aspect, thank
chiefly to the notary not having made any de
mand in the interim for the interest Of his mort
+ gage.
g l have often wondered, . said lie Bossu ON
day as he and his father were eating their din
ner of soup dur choasr and black bread, sc thai
Destouches has not called before. He may now
as soon as. he pleases, thanks to our having sold
that lot of damaged wheat at such a capital
price; corn must be getting up tremendously in
| the market. However, you are ready for Des-
touches's demand of six hundred francs, which
| it is now.''
sParbleu quite ready all ready counted in
those charming assignats and that is the Joke
oft. l wish the old villain may call or send
soon'-
A gentle tap at the door interrupted the
speaker The son opened it, and the notary
accompanied by his familiar, Pierre Nadaud
quietly glided in.
sTalk of the Devil" growled Delessert audi
bly,, and you are sure to get a whisk of his
tall Well, messeurs,' - he added more loudly
.syour business?"
Money-interest now due on the mortgage
for three thousand francs," replied M. Destou-
ches with much sauvity.
"Interest for two years, CONTINUED the sour.
y-sardonic accents Of Pierre Nadaud; ;'s six hun.
dred francs precisely"
s'Very goods you shall have the money di-
rectly." Dalessert left the room; the notary
took out and unclaspeda a note book and Pierre
Nadaud placed a slip of papier tinabre on tn,
dinner table, preparatory to writing receipt
Here" said Delessert, re-entering with ;
rool of soiled paper in his hand, g here are you
six hundred francs, well counted. .
The notary reclasped his note book, and re
turned it to his pocket; Pierre Nadaud resume,
possession of the receipt paper.
ssYou are not aware, then, friend Delessert,
said the notary, 's that creditors are no 1onge
compelled to receive assignats in payment ~ S
elbow What do you say p
ssPierre,' continued NJ Destouches, ssrea
the extract from lie Bulletin des Lois, publishe
last week. Pierre did SO with ringing en-
phasis, which would have rendered it inteligibl
e to child and the unhappy debtor fully com
pretended that his paper money was compare
+, lively worthless 1t is needless to- dwell upo
' the fury manifested by Delessert, the cool OBJ
duracy of the notary, or the cynical comment
! of the clerk. Enough to say, that NJ. Destou
ches departed with his money. after civilly init
) mating. that legal proceedings would be takel
forthwith. The son stroye to soothe his father.
passionate despair, but his words fell upon un
needing ears and after several hours passed il
alternate paroxisms of stormy rage and gloomy
revere, the elder Delessert hastily left the house
taking the direction of Strasbourg LIE Boss.
watched his fathers retreating figure from ths
door until it was lost in the clouds of binding
snow that was rapidly falling, and then sadl,
resumed some indoor employment 1t was lat
, when he retired to bed, and his father had no
then returned He would probably remain, tn
son thought, at Strasbourg for the night.
The chill, lead -colored dawn was family strug
Cling on the horizon with the black, gloom
) night, when LIE Bossu rose. Ten minutes after
wards his father strobe hastily into the house
and threw himself, without a word, upon q sea-
His eyes, the son observed, were bloodshoi
/ either with rage or drink-perhaps both; an
/ his entire aspect wild, haggard and fierce. L