The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1853-06-23
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WAEN BAERLE,
T HE BUT TT Err MAN,

VaN frontier village of Alsace, called
"a Mardorpt, resided otmany years ago,
that is to say, some time in the present
century, Dutchman. During the wars
of the Revolution he had been taken pris-
oner, married French woman, and set
tied down at Strasburg as a dealer in
money. He was changeur. He chang
gcd notes for gold, and gold for notes,
bought up old coins, bullion, advanced
money on small properties, but, above all,
lent little sums on security, at high inter-
est, to the poor. He was, in fact, sur
reptitious pawnbroker. In this way he
amassed wealth, and became proprietor.
At the age of fifty he found himself a
widower, with daughter and son, and
the Revolution of 1880 happening at the
time, he grew alarmed, retired from bust
ness, leaving to Jean Baerie, his son, a
small capital and his outstanding debts.
The Dutchman was always called Waen
Baerle, though what his real name had
been no one ever knew. Well, be this as
it may, Waen Baerle took up his quarters
in Mardorpt, small out-of-theway vii
lage, picturesquely situated near, it is
true, high road, but quite out of its
sight. His house was pretty. 1t was
built of stone. The lower story contain
ed four rooms, the second but two, a bal
cony running round the whole house. By
the side was courtyard with well, and
behind was large garden, which now
that he dealt no longer in gold, became
the favorite amusement of Waen Baerle,
as well as of Annette his daughter
Here Waen smoked his Holland pipe,
while looking to the growth of his cabba-
ges, potatoes, and other vegetables, which
with fruit and flowers divided the space.
Annette willingly aided in tending the
flowers, but as, while dealing in precious
metals, Waen had not gone very deeply
into the mysteries of gardening, he was
compelled TO call in old Pierre, from time
immemorial gardner to the little propri-
etors of the village. Waen soon knew all
who resided in Mardorpt. and had select
cd bis acquaintance. He grew even in
innate with several families, and had them
Hospitality of an evening to see him.
There were old fogies to smoke with, OF
to play at cards, and young ones to ad-
mire Annette at her piano, or to laugh
over Lotto, or to talk of the latest news
and other such recondite topics of conver'
sation as occur in villages. All the re-
spectacle young men OF the place con
trived to get introduced at different times
the maire's son, the three proprietors
sons, the young officers on leave of alb
sence,-and all were, ere long, suitors foI
the hand of the money-changer's daugh
ter, who was to have goodly share o
his fortune, which was considerable, anC
well invested.
And Annette was well worthy of til,
admiration she excited. She was pref
ty girl of twenty, fair, with blue eyes
that sparkle brightly, and heart as brigh
as her eyes She was model of daugh
ter. Good-tempered, quick, affectionate
she was the delight of the Dutchman
who, despite his somewhat doubtful call
ing, was at bottom wgood man. He KEEP
a maid-servant, man to look after hi
horse and queer cabriolet, and little gil
to wait on Annette, but he was neve
happy but when his daughter performe
little offices for him. 1t was she who CAV
him his coffee of a morning, it was sh
who looked up his linen, about which h
was very particular; 1t was she VINO trans
) ferred his tobacco from thick blue pa
per parcel to brown pot with quaint zig
ures on it, and who every morning place
his pipe, with neatly paper lights, 0
a table near his hand. Then she woul
4 read and play music, or sow or run in tn
e garden, or visit the danes and damsels {
d the village, and thus was very happy
showing no desire to leave her home, I
: to listen to the protestations of any swee
l. heart of them all. And SO she told thel
laghingly; and yet still they came, wit
good -humored perseverance, the youn
, lieutenant of the hussars asking only thre
months to carry the citadel by storm:
One of Annette's passions was lo'
of birds. She had turned the whole
her great balcony into an aviary' We