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

Paper.
From Dumas Louis the Fourteenth.
THREE GENTLEMEN IN ONE.
One of the frequenters of the Palais Roy
al, then called tho Palais Cardinal, was
Racan, man of letters, and remarkable fol
his absence of mind. The Cardinal used tc
be highly amused Mt the scrapcs into which
this quality led him. and the practical jokes
of which il made him tho victim. The day
he was received into the Academy, oil Pari:
was assembled to hear the address it wa
usual to hear on such occasions. lie mounts
the tribune, and taking paper from hi'
pocket, all dirty and torn, "Gentlemen, v
he said, (" l intended to read my speech "a
you, but unluckily my greyhound got hold
OF it; here it is; you see its condition -
make what use you can Of it, for don't
know it by heart, and have no copy"
There lived in Paris an ancient maiden,
Marie 10 Jars, denoi.elle do Gournay. She
was born in 1865, and at the period to which
the anecdote relates, was about seventy
years old. In short anecdotc Of her life,
written by herself, she says, that ut the age
of nineteen, having read Montaigne's Es.
says, she was seized with the greatest desire
to become acquainted with the author so
when Montaignc came to Paris, she sent n
message to him, expressing her admiration
of himself and his book. The same day he
paid her visit to thank her for her partial
ity, and they Immediately were on such
terms of affection, that she called him fa.
ther and he called her daughter. The de.
moiselle dc Gournay was an author, and had
published book in the style of the time,
which was thought to surpass in pathos
everything that had been written before.
It was called L Ombrc de Ia demoisellc dt
Gournay. According to the custom then
in vogue. she presented her book to the
distinguished literary men Of Paris, and
among others to Racan. When the book
was brought, two Of his friends, de Bucl and
Iyrande wero with him - Racan, ilattcred
by this attention, said he should call on the
fair lady the next day at three o'clock. This
declaration was not lost on his companions
who thought they would have some fun
from it. The next day at one o'clock, dc
Buell. knocks ut the door of the demoisclc
dc Gournay. Her companion, Mademoisellc
Janin, opens it, De Buell. wishes to sec the
mistress of the house. She tells Mademoi-
sclle do Gournay, who was in her closet
writing poetry, that q man has called to sec
her.
"What is his name' T"
Z" lie did not tell me-"
% How does he look! !"
"a we'll looking man, thirty or thirty.hvt
years old, and has the air Of one accustomed
to good company"
"Ask him up. Tho thought I was pur
suing is a good one, but it may return, ant
the cavalier may not"
AS she finished her monologuc hc en-
tered.
Monsieur, have admitted you on ia
minis report Of your appearance, without
asking who you are. Have the goodness tC
tell me your name"
"My name, Mademoisellc, is Racan."
La dcmoiselle do Gournay, who knew
Racan only by name, was extremely civil
and thanked him, that one so young and
fashionable should trouble himself about q
poor old woman like her. Do Buell., who
was man of wit, made himself agreeable
and who told divers diverting stories, which
entertained her so much that she called tc
,Jamin TO silence her cat that was mewing
in the next room. After three.quarters 0
an hours conversation. which the demoisele
dc Gournay declared was the most pleasant
sbe ever had, he took his leave, overwhelm'
ING her with compliments for her courtesy,
while she was enthusiastic in his praise
In happy frame Of mind was the ancient
maiden to pursue the thought in which she
had been interrupted, and which had been
frightened away. She returned to hei
study. but had scarcely entered it, when
Iyrandc, who watched the moment, gldcd
TO her room. He opened the door OF hcl
sanctuary, and seeing her at work, said -
:" have entered boldly, but the ilustriou.
author of l. Ombre ought not to be treated
as common person."
"That compliment is we'll turned, and
will inscribe it in my tablsts; but, may
ask, what procures me the honor OF this
yisitl" 49,,
Madcmoisellc," said Ivrande," al came
10 thank you for the book you have done mt
the honor to present to mo-"
"Monsipur," she replied, 81 have moi
sent nv book to YOU, in which was wrong
I ought to have done so. Here, Jamin,
l., Ombre for this gentleman"
"Rut permit me to tell you / have ont
already. To prove it, in such chapter IL
this passage - in that chapter THIS o'he'
"TLis is exceedingly gratifying to me
YOU are an author who reads oil the nc"
y
books as they appear"
Certainly - and here are somc OF m!
own verses which | am happy to offer II
exchange for your book" :,
q, But these verses" said the ancient dc
moiselle, " are by Monsieur Racan."
81 am Monsieur Racan himself, at you
; service"
monsieur, you are laughing at me-"
81, NIademoiselle, / laugh Mt tho daugh
ter of the great Montaigne, at that heroine
of poetry, Of whom Epsius hos said, V,de
anus qtid sat pdriiura isid virgo, and tn'
Young iIensius Ausa rirgo eoneurre repiris
seandit supra riros." >,
"vcry we'll! very we'll 4" says the 90
moisclle dc Gournay, delighted beyond ex S
preston by this avalanche OF praise. l'
|, who has Just gone away, was making sPor
of me, or perhaps it is you; but Is ol nc y,
CONSEQUENCE the young will always bc o.
|, their pranks with the old, and either way
am happy to have met with two gentlemen
so elegant and witty"
But n was not the intention OF lvrande Il
let his visit pass as jest, and at the end o Q
three quarters of an hour he departed
, leaving her fully persuaded that, this time
she had had an interview with tho veritabl
author of Brgeries. Scarcely was he ou
of sight, when the real Racan makes hi
appcarance. The door was open. As h
was a little troubled with tho asthma. h
entered out Of breath, and at once threw
, himself into an arm chair. At the noise h
made, MadcmoiselIe dc Gonrnay, who wa