The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-08-17
CHAP. XIV.
Lisette and Paul.

CHAP. XIV.
Li,etts ana Paul.
You must 90 up great many flights of
...;rs lcfore TOu reach the modest chamber in
,,l;.h Iisstte the embroideress sits, plying her
ros1le Like King DaTid's sparrow, sho is
rlans o. the housetop. The house in which
q, resides is gisuated in the Rue Blanche, quite
Al ne cod, and close to the barrier. 1t is
nearer tho open country, en- higher ground,
and tse air there is rurer than in the heart Of
~ busy city Il is Of very InpretendDg ap-
res.ance. and the approaches to it are by no
means cf the pleasantess. The portoress's hus-
Land is tailor, and works on o kind of shelf
fgel. or rather suspended, by some mysterious
a-rspgtIoent # staples and cords, in corner
If their small lodge, near the door. Their
tlroriDg apartment is g curious contriyance to
ccononize space, and is formed by another
combination Of shelves reaching across the fur
tier end cf the Lodge, about seven feet from
the hocr. Thoy attain Ii by means of ladder.
It's furniture is q mattress, laid on the boards,
and is cOn7eniences about three feet OF space
tetFcen i. and the ceiling, and o cord, COM
punicatiug with tho latch Of the outer gate,
which j. iiits, on the principle of the bobbin
mentioned in the talo of Little Red Riding
Hood The tailor's name is Flammeche, but
he is q member of the Constitution, as well as
cfJattercd garments, and processes opinions of
very decided radical tendency He has
pronounced prediction for @property in
commoD," but believes that property" which
ivcs not belOng to himself is "Iobbery."
Madame Flammeohe is person of military
anteocdont6, and Of somewhat marital inclina-
tens. The tailor is Der sixth husband Her
previous husbands, or, as she pleased to call
them, Der foregoing" were warriors. Num-
tlT One was bombaTdier, who first lost on
AIN. and then his head. Number Two was a
peuadiOr. He was shot in skirmisb, in
Spain. Number Three was dragon, whom
sle supPoces to have been made prisoner by
fte Englisb, but who, not making his appear
Gaoo within q reasonable tine, she gsyo up in
Gror of Number Four. Ho was lancer, of
vhcm the Cossacks disposed in the retreat
licm Moscow. Number Five was a sapper,
acO YVES unfortunately blown to pieces by the
*, iosicn Of o mine. Then the peace came,
End Madame withdrew from the military line,
sd tex 10 selling fried potatoes, in stall on
The Peat Neut. Flammeche was first captiva-
ted by the crispness Of her potatoes, on which
he used 10 speculate to the extent of two sous
worth every day; and soon after, by the bland
sAH;eRts Of the lady herself His proposals
were accepted, and the widow Of the five war
ricr5 became tho wife of what popular preju-
dec has reduced to vulgar fraction of man
hood. Size has continued her savory occupa-
ton Cp 10 the present time. There is bar
rack not far off, and her cookery is in renown
amongst the soldiers, who patronize her ex-
eASTely, chiefly on account of her former
connection with various regiments, through
her foregoing" Her establishment may be
sld 10 combine the principal departments CT
The commissariat for sbo also sells wines
sHl spriss." Ia fine weather, she carries on
her business. in tho open air, outside Of the
house on the carseway. In vet weather, and
in cold, it IS conducted under The large gate
Eay. The immediate atmosphere is always
strongly impregnatcd with the fumes Of boil
ing fat. IL Is contained in large iron caul-
drcn Sc: Ep On a charcoal fire, made in tripe-
dal furnace She is usually to be seen silver
ing aud scing potatoes. Without one in her
hand and hor knife-like Paganini and his
yiOln--shc would be incomplete. She enter
taius politics ss well as her husband; but hav-
ing belonged to the cold army" her notions
ere imperalist, and Bonapertist, as a matter
Of cOur7e. In person she is small dry and
ShaTPlOOkirg with G complexion very much
Ike that Of a chestnut, from exposure to the
generally atsired in a cotton gown Of snowy
PATTERN with clean bibbed apron, and wears
+ Ied 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.
qlctry quite psrdonGbie in one who formerly
rested her claims TO admiration upon the pro-
id'l0n OF her cheyolure.
Leaving Madame Flammeche at her ordina-
u occupation, and salutirg her as he passes, a
Young man in blouse makes his way up the
SIX sh's of stairs, to I.isette's apartment. He
mas inquired whether she is at home, and re-
ee'ved az answer in the Affirmative. 1t has
ja'' glne twelve, and he has apparently left
ECf1 IN Tho neigEborhOod, for his hands and
l4'e aie co?ered with splashes of paint. Hif
Ir!EeAF@nce Is manly and progressing though
e. GAN beard, which ho wears uncut, adds
H'e oi az years to his real eye.
"a reaching the door Of L;se.te's apartment
he kuCcks gently.
lone IN, says the sofs voice we know of
''u tIe Young man accepts the invitation.
- an faal" ezcleims Lisette on seeing him
iile young man hss taken off his cap on en-
'l"E lie approaches her with q respectful
%, Sna STOPPING ever her as she sits at tn,
., az Ter embroidery, kisses her en- iii
by her side. 'N'' " O''i' aNu '''' uO"'
mere Is a beautiful view from the window
v'1iiockinS the buttts de Mort,nartre. and thei
,.''Hlt'a' ana the plains beyond, in the dircc
IL u 81 Dams. a flower. stani occupies tn
e1'S' IN iFont OF tie window, and contain
~ VI .Lfco pots of autumn Towering plants
T c.. III 'Oii blossom. Amongst them is a small
sroai", Io.ei Which appears to have receive,
s !ro.ul a'.enticn. Il is in vigorous growth, an,
~ win buds II various stages of progress
a. Is large cage on q table at one end @
s- 'n -UCin hted up with nest boxes, and othe
h-'o"iohces tor the inmates most of whom
ara'.' are flying in all directions about tn
an. y They cCme to Lisette when sh
ran zen, which she does, now and Tier
of.ro! name, and givss them tiny crum
an ~ cake. Up in ono corner, with Gag
rs,sSI - ii'eii, On the outside of which he
mq,a 'e cOnSequentiGlly, arranging his pit
Wiz = . Starring When he is in the mind
tb the me nc Is not this morning-hc answers
u.s," uie u Coco He has picked up goo
eI;-,!! Horos IN the course of his checquere
I'd lhese he jerks up now and then, i
voioo cultural tone. 1t cannot be called
varJ nc would seem to be ever looking TO
I'm - ior he repeats the words "to-morroy
ev.aD. "iVrFoW," more often than any others
naT Z peculiar oath of mild characte
jataS sacre bleu," which, literally tran
To-, means sacred blue and nothing els
he o are Lisette's household pets, includir
Ta ;Lo.Iy neighbors the sparrows, who assen
Is.S1e gutter and on her window-sill
n'oks, and keep up constant and qua
lyme Conversation.
?, ut apartment is large, though not lofty.
/, S'c9Ve stands her bed, modestly conoeal'
NJ orapery. The furniture is of walnl
tEe Polished. So is the floor; it is of +
IsSo oHt little square pieces of carpet are
'.O.e the chairs, to prevent, in some measul