The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-29
VOL. X.-N0. 50.

bcfore tho Cbeyalicr dc Buell. returned, ant
saw a coarse, farmer like looking man, who
without saying word, was painting anC
wiping his face. .uy
Jamin ran to her. -,
"Did YOU ever see so ridiculous figure v
cried Mademoisele de Gournay, keeping hel
ewes fixed on Racan, and breaking out into
loud laugh.
"MIadcmoiselle," says Racan, who spoke
IN thick tone, and could not pronounce X
or c, dams an quail fheuL je rons delai
poulqm js suis venuiti, but just let mo take
BREATH"
"Thcn, Monsieur, at the end OF tho quar-.
ter of ON hour you have asked Tor, you will
a, least inform me what occasion brought
you to my housetn
"Madcmoisellc," replies Racan, "tc
thank you for four present."
What present
"Your l. Ombc."
any EOmbre," says Madcmoisclle de
Gou,ncy, who began to comprehend the
language Racan spoke.
"Certainly, for your L'Omble."
"Jamin," says Madomoisello dc Gour.
nav, "undeceive this poor man. have
sent my book to no one but to Monsieur de
Malhcrbe, and he did not deserve it, for his
unfair criticism on my writings, and to
Monsieur Racan, who has just left mo-"
"Who has just left you !" cried Rasan.
.' am Latan."
You are Latan did not say. La,an-l
said Racan."
The unlucky poet made infinite Efforts to
tell his name, which was composed oi i've
letters, two of which he could not pronounce,
which he so strenuously distorted, that
Mademoiselle dc Gournay was unsuccessful
in her attempts to comprehend it. Becoming
inpatient
u Do you know how to write ! "
"Do know how TO write 81 Je sdis
eieile! Give me pom and you shall see."
"Jamin give the gentleman q pen."
Jamin obeyed gave pen to the unlor.
tunate visitor, who wrote rs legibly as pos.
siblc, in large hand, Racan.
"Racan cried Jamin.
"Racan Racan repeated Madcmoiscllc
do Gournay.
81 am he," said Racan, enchanted at
being understood, and supposing his reccp.
ton would now be different.
"Look at him, Jamin is he not pretty
fellow to take that name =" and Mademoi.
selle do Gournay became very furious
1.-THE other two," said she were at least
ami .ble and pleasant, but this fellow is a
miserable bulfoon."
Aladcmoisclc, Mademoisclle, you amaze
me pray tell me what you meant"
~ mean that you are the third Monsieur
Racan who has presented himself hero to-
day"
IL know nothing Of the others, But
know am the true Latan."
81 don't know who you arc" replied
Madcmoisclle dc Gournay; "but know
you are the greatest blockhead of tho three
and / will suffer no such tricks to bc play CO
on mo. Do you hear, sir "
Saying this in an impatient tone, sho rose
from her seat, and with lofty wave Of The
hand, mo,ioned him to depart.
In this extremity, Racan takes from his
pocket one of his books, and presenting it
Madcmoiscllc," )" said he, +" am the real
Latan; and to prove it take this book, and
| will repeat tho verses from beginning to
end"
"Then, sir, you have stolen tho verses OF
Monsieur Racan, rs you have his name -
and l declare, if you do not leave the
house this instant, will call for assistance "
But Mademoiscllc ="
"Jamin, cry out robbers"
Racan did not wait for the result, but
flying to the staircase, descended with the
swiftness of an arrow. The same day, Mad
cmoiselle dc Gournay learned the whole
story. Judge Of her modification, when she
found she had driven from her house the
only one Of tho three Racans who was the
truo one. The next morning she borrowed
q carriage and drove directly TO NJ. do Bel.
legarde's where Racan lived. lie was still
in bed, and asleep, but tho poor lady was in
such haste to make her excuses to man
whom she esteemed so highly, that without
listening to his pdlei de ehanbre, she ran
hurriedly to his room, went strait to his bed
and lifted up tho curtains. Racan started
out Of his sleep, and seeing tho lace Of yes.
terday, believed she was still pursuing him,
and leaping out of bed ran into his closet.
Safe there, and boiling the door, he listened
to what she said, and In few moments the
whole affair wns explained. Finding that
she had not como to renew tho attack, but
to make excuses. and with the kindcst in
tenlions, he left his closet, and from that
day she and Monsieur Racan were tho b,st
friends in the world.