The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-11-23

an argument, and having duly made careful
selection of their animals they start off at a
hand-gallop. Zach's creature is a prodigy of
feetness, but his qualities in this particular are
considerably deprecated by trick he has of
too frequently galloping off in direction OPP
posed to that to which he is being driven. 1t
is generally admitted, however, that Zach is a
hrst-rate equestrian, and the manner in which
he clears a log lying in the road, and then a
heap of stones, are considered feats worthy of
the Cirque Oiympigue. The owner of the ami
NAL declares, and with perfect truth, that it
never accomplished such feats of speed and
daring before, and he does not believe it could
be induced to repeat them, by any other rider.
1t has been arranged that they shall dine
where they breakiasted, because the price of
the repast is fixed at one frame and half a head,
and the entertainment is both good Of its kind,
and varied. Then they have the advantage of
being close to the CdUeour, or Quinze Vingts,
where for mere trife, taken out in refresh
ments, they can hear little music, diversified
by the performance of cauderiUe, and by the
ventriloquial exhibition of the homme la
poupee not to mention the feats of the savage
On the kettle drum, whose origin and flowing
black beard are staple subjects of speculation
to those who are not in the secret of his being
very peaceable tailor, living just round the
the properties of the establishment. Of course,
after their turn in the wood, and their drive
back to Paris, they are quite ready to do Justice
to the viands set before them by the grave
waiter of the moning, whom they are fortunate
again to secure and who, in the midst of the
hustle ond confusion of serving, ordering, and
remembering twenty dinners at once, preserves
his equanimity with unhinching nerve. He OBJ
serves, In reply to an expression of astonishment
on the part of Paul, how it is possible for him
to rccollect so many things, and for whom each
is ordered, that 1T would not do for him to lose
his head at such a moments" and a general
assent is given to Paufs rejoinder, that it would
certainly be very inconvenient. Had the party
given him only penny, or even nothing, that
morning. Louis would have been quite as ready
to serve them, and equally as obliging as he
is now. He is no doubt stimulated, by the
hope of another gratuity, to exercise to the
utmost his genius for catering. Human ma
tnre has a weakness for recompenses, and wait
ers especially are not exempt from it. To do
Louis justice, however, he is ambitious of per-
forming his duties well, for the credit Of the
thing, and our party are not the first, by many
hundreds, who, on leaving the table he has
served, compliment him upon his civility, and
upon his skill in displaying to the utmost the
varied resources of the establishment.
The programme has been faithfully carried
ont in all its details, and tho pleasure that was
anticipated has been even exceeded Lisette is
accompanied home by her father, Paul. and
Zach, and the holyday has como to OH end
Martin has embraced his daughter, and Zach
has hidden her good night, adding hope that
she will not suffer from fatigue. Paul fingers
behind moment 1t is to take leave of Lii
settle after the fashion of all lovers, and to wills
per a word in her ear which causes her to shrink
momcntarily from him. Almost immediately
after, however, she says she will consent to his
proposition for her fathers sake, and aid him to
the utmost. So they part.
Paul overtakes Martin and Zach a few yards
down the street. He accompanies them some
distance, and then abruptly bids them good
night, for they are conversing in foreign lam
guage, and he perceives that he is one too many,