Daily national era., 1854-08-05
CHAP. XIV.
Lisetis and Paul. .

which Lisette the embroideress sits, plying her
needle Like King David's sparrow, she is
alone on the housetop. The honse in which
she resides is situated in the Rue Blanche, quite
at the end, and cloeo to the barrier. II is
nearer the open country, on higher ground,
and. the air there is purer than in the heart Of
the busy city. 1t is Of very unpretending ap-
pearance and the approaches TO it are by no
means Of the pleasantcst. The porteress's hus-
band is tailor, and works on a kind Of shelf
fixed, or rather suspended, by some mysterious
arrangement Of staples and cords in . corner
of their small lodge, near the door. Their
sleeping apartment is curious contrivance to
economic space, and is formed by another
combination Of shelves reaching across the for
ther end Of the lodge, about seven feet from
the floor They attain 1t by means Of . ladder.
Its furniture Is q mattress, lard on the boards,
and its conveniences about three feet of epace
between ii and the ceiling, and cord, COM
municating with tho latch Of the outer cato,
which it lifts, on the principle Of the bobbin
mentioned in tho tale of Little Red Riding
Hood. The tailor's name is Flammeche, but
he is q mender Of the Constitution, as we'll as
Of tattered garments, and processes opinions of
very decided radical tendency. He has
pronounced (" prediction for property in
common" but believes that property which
does not belong to himself is robbery
Madame Flammeche is n person Of military
antecedents and of somewhat marital inclina-
tions. The tailor is her sixth husband. Her
previous husbands, or, as she pleased to call
them, her foregoing were warriors. Num-
Ter One was bombardier who first lost an
arm, and then his head Number Two was a
greDadier. He was shot in q skirnish, in
Spain. Number Three was q dragon, whom
she supposes to have been made prisoner by
the English, but who, not making his appear
ance within reasonable time, she gave up in
favor Of Number Four He was lancer, OF
when the Coesacks dispo-cd in the retreat
from Moscow. Number Five was sapper,
who was unfortunately blown to pieces by the
explosion Of mine Then the peace came,
and Madame Withdrew from the military line,
and took to selling fried potatoes, in STALL on
the Pont Neuf Flammeche was first captiva-
ted by the crispness of her potatoes, on which
he used to speculate to the extent of two sous
worth every day; and soon after. by the bland
ishments on the lady herself His proposals
were accepted, and the widow Of the five war
riors became the wife of what popular preju-
dice has reduced to vulgar fraction of man
hood. She has continued her savory occupa-
tion up to the present time. There is bar
rack not far of, and her cookery is in renown
amongst the soldiers who patronize her ex-
tensively, chiefly on account Of her former
connection with various regiments, through
her foregoing Her establishment may be
said 10 combine the principal departments OF
and spiriss.n In fine weather, abe carries on
her business in tho open cir, cstsido Of tbc
house, on the causewsy In wet weather, and
in cold, il is conducted under the large gate
way. The immediate atmosphere is always
strongly impregnated with the fumes of boil
ing fat It is contained in large iron caul-
dron, set up on q charcoal FIRE, made in q tripe-
dal furnace She is usually to be seen silver
ing and slicing potatoes. Without one in her
hand, and her knife-like Psganipi and his
violn-she would be Incomplete. She enter
tains politics ss well as her husband; but hav-
ing belonged to the old army her notions
are imperlalisf, and Bonapartlsf, as q matter
Of course. In person she il small, dry and
arp-lookipg, with q complexion very much
like that of chestnut from exposure to the
sun and to the vicissitudes Of climate She is
generally attired in cotton gown Of showy
pattern, with clean bibbed apron, and wears
. red Madras handkerchief twisted around
her head, from beneath the folds Of which
escape few stray curls OF dark hair, now
mixed with silver. This is remnant Of CO.
quetry, quite psrdonsble In one who formerly
rested her claims to admiration upon the pro-
fusion Of her chevelure.
Leaving Madame Flammeohe at her ordina-
ny occupation, and saluting her as be passes,
young man 10 q blouse makes his way up the
six feh,s Of stairs to Lisette's apartment. He
has inquired whether she is at home, and re-
ceived an answer in the Affirmative. IL has
just gone twelve, and be has apparently left
work in the neigbborhood, for his hands and
face are covered with splsshcs Of paint. His
appearance is manly and rgeposscssine though
his dark beard, which be wears uncut, adds
five or six years 70 his real age.
On reaching the door Of Lssette's apartment
be knocks gently.
Come In, says the soft voice we know Of;
and the young man accepfs the invitation
"Ah, Paul. exclsims Lisette, on seeing him
The young man has taken off his cap on en-
tering. He approaches her with respectful
air, and, STOPPING over her a. che sits at the
forehead He then takes a chair, and siss down
BY her side.
There is beautiful view from the window,
overlooking the buffes de Montmarfre and their
windmilIs, and the plans beyond, in the direc-
tion Of So Denis A flower. stand occupies the
recess in 'front.' Of the window, and contains
two or three pots of autumn f,wering planss
now In full blossom. Amopgss them 10 a small
China rose, which appears TO have received
special attention. IL is 10 vigorous growth, and
covered with buds in various stages Of progress
There Il large cage, ON table at one end Of
The room, flied up with nest boxes and other
oonyenienccs for the inmates, most OF whom
however, are flying in AL directions about the
apartment. They come to Lisette when she
calls them, which she does, now and then
each BY name, and gives them tiny crumb
ofsweet cake. Up IN one corner, with cage
I'll 20 himsclf, ON the outside Of which he is
perched CONS queutiaIly, arranging his plo-
mags, i q ssrine When be il n the mind
which he is not this nnpIpg- he answers TO
The name Of Coco. He hes picked up good
EsDy words IN the course Of h,s cbecquered
eGsesDce. These he jerks up now and then, ia
> 1sody, Guttural tone. II cannot be called a
vojoa He would seem 70 Be ever Looking for
woS4 Tor he repeats the words tomorrow.
tIl to-mosros,n more often than any o&bers /.
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