The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-01-26

were really hard, and his master was a good
deal mixed at the Bourse. His jests were some
times little biting, but the poor creatures
laughed the merriest and always left content
Between my maid and Jean grew up a very
gossiping intimacy. / thought indeed, that
jeans tender heart had been rather roasted, by
Nannette's brilliant eyes Bat Nannette never
favored me with much of hen, own affairs, while
engaged in the duties of my toilette, being so
puch occupied with those of other people. She
Knew quite all about every ruan, woman, and
child, In the house; but mare especially was
she acquainted with affairs III the Archbishop's
family. She said the good prelate had much
trouble with his beautiful ward; that she had
been sought for and was deeply in love with an
English noble1nan but thas gentleman being
Protestant, of course, he could not be coun-
tenanced; that the young lady was very IN
happy, as one could see, and in danger of de-
cline, as everybody knew; and, for her MAN
nette's) part, she thought religion was to die
BY, and not to marry by; and Jean thought it
was all more pious than wise, ard that he
JEAN believed in love matches; that love was
to matrimony the apples to the pie, and other
sage reflections, showing that he sided with
Young Eugland My sympathies were not much
awakened, as l thought the young lady seemed
in good health and very passable spirits But
then the heart will break, you know, yet
brokenly live on.
We were called upon about this time, we
idlers who had eyes for beggars in the court, to
notice blind mendicant of immense age who
was led into the court, where he played exc
crably upon guitar, and yet sang With full
rich voice, that youth of twenty might have
been proud to own. We noticed that the love-
crossed dsmsel about this time became very
benevolent, and was exceedingly fond of call
ing this old man to the foot of the grand esca-
her, and giving him some SOUS. One afternoon
she begged the aged guardian of an aunt to
permit the old beggar to enter their salon and
play for them The Archbishop being out
riding at that time, the watchful relative reluc-
family consented, protesting she never heard
such vile music what could her niece want
with such? And when the old man, trembling
In every limb, tottered into the room, leaning
upon his staff, and began his lament more dis
cordant than ever, the poor lady, who had a
reasonable ear for music and dotted on the
opera, left the room, saying her niece was GER
tainly crazy. The companion of the beggar,
who was the raggedest individual, with close
cut hair, round bullet head, very erect, and ap-
parently wide awake, modestly remained out
side of the door. When the aunt, no longer
hearing the music, abruptly returned, she was
thunderstruck at seeing her niece sobbing in
the arms of the mendicant.
There was quite disturbance in the grand
apartments at this moment. The niece tainted;
the aunt screamed the tall footman ran in !;
the concierge came to the rescue; Jean and
his assistants were near; but ALL in attempt
ing to throw out the aged blind beggar, caught
q tartar. That individual seemed suddenly to
regain his youth and strength for he knocked
the servants right and left, and as suddenly
was miraculously restored to sight; for while
his assistant covered his retreat, he made his
way out with great nimbleness and ease. 1t
was very natural that he should leave his gray
hairs behind, under the circumstances and so
he did, in the shape Of a very fine specimen of
Parisian wig Jean remarked, solennly as
he bathed the tall footman's head and nose,
that, for French beggars, the rascals had O. re-
markable knowledge of English boxing.
When one remembers the care with which
young ladies are guarded in France, and adds
to such custom the fact that in this instance,
the young girl had evinced disposition to
cross her guardians wishes the wonder will
cease at events which seem to recall the DAYS
of romance Jean seemed delighted with the
adventure and passed much time in relating
it, with numerous whimsical additions and COM
ments, TO Nannette. But the strange adventure
ceased in time to be 30 strange. The young
beauty was watched with increased care. She
was now scarcely ever from under the eye of
her aunt-the sharp and thin duenna
His Reverence, returning to something like
health, received much company and the en-
tertainments were so numerous, that Jean was
at last fairly employed He now had scarcely
word to throw at beggar, and, at length,
was forced to bring in an assistant. He had
one before-a dull, placid youth, who seemed
everlastingly to be walking in his sleep, and
deeply Eliminating upon pie crust; and to such
force Jean added his nephew. Quite con-
trast, this one, to the former. He was eminent
ly handsome, gay, and active, with a restlees
expression of fun in his large, sparkling eyes,
which told at once his near kin to Jean But
what this youth made up in beauty, he lost in
usefulness. So vexatious an assistant never
before entered a kitchen. He spoiled every
thing he touched, and broke everything he car
ried. More especially was the thin aunt wo--
ried. She had favorite soup, upon which, in
deed, she lived, being entirely Invested of ma
tive rasticators, by which to use more solid
food end it seemed as if this pottage was
never again to bless her lips. Sometimes it
was burned, at others knocked, generally I'M
palatable; and on one OCCASION she was near
ly poisoned by an improvement patented BY
the youth himself joan scoldsd, and threaten
ed very violently, and the nephew looked very
demurc, until his uncle's back was turned, and
then he would smile.
Patience came to its limits at last At a
grand dinner party, the good Archbishop had
spoken of and promised his guests a great dish,
which he had brought the receipt of from
South America. 1t was, indeed, wonderful
preparation, but unfortunately, as the vile
nephew carried it. he awkwardly turned the
contents of the salt and pepper box into the
tureen. Jean had not noticed the accident, and
Tho povboxu 1uoa fri h 6anad ton ruuch 70 man
ton it and the result was extremely ludicrous.
The Archbishop, on account Of i'll health, could
not partake, and the aunt never tasted such
compounds so polteness was left to bear it,
as best it might Certainly it never was push
ed to further extreme Urged to partake
they swallowed with various expressions forced
into their faces One fsshy brother, who had
promised himself rare feast, had tears course
down his round checks, while a celebrated
diner-out was heard to remark that he thought
the degeneration of the Spaniards in South
America might be traced to their vitiated
tastes This settled the nephew's fate he was
ordered, even by Jean, harshiy, to leave the
kitchen.
The delinquent assistant found warm ad-
vocate in the niece and at her urgent solicita-
ton, Jean was inclined to retain the scamp a
few days longer on trial. Ii is noticeable, that
when youthful love is not only broken in its
current, but fairly damned, choked up, that it
will find an outlet in some unexpected direc-
ton. In this manner have high born maidens
been induced, in moments of reckless despera-
ton, to wed their ooachmen, having been foiled
in the wild attempt of espousing pages. Now,
close observer could see that my little hero
inc was desperate, and could further see that
she had quite regard for this hopeful of
cook In which last, maintain, she exhibited