Plymouth advertiser. [volume] (Plymouth, Ohio) 1853-1988, 1854-05-06

heroic boatman was almost fainung. Ihe
boat, fat>bo.tomed and heavy, was per-
feet milestone 10 drag with his mouth.
But presently n loud shout of Joy and lri-
umph proclaimed his victory, as he sank
insensible into the arms of the mayor oil
the town, who embraced him before the
whole crowd. and proclaimed him once
again the savior Of three men lives.
The reputation of Mathieu Boisdoux
was now at its height. He had two med
ais and small annual pension from the
municipality of his ancient city. He
was able to support his mother and his
nephews and neices in comfort. And yet
Malhieu Boisdoux WAS not happy, so i'm
perfect is human nature. For some time
he was noticed to be sombre and sad.
His character and conduct easily denoted
that he was elevated above his position.
The poor boaiman had heart and soul
that would have done honor to any posi-
ton in the social scale. One part of his
duty was TO take passengers from the
shore to the old toche or passage boat of
Auxerre. This aged vessel, the very
conveyance that took TO Paris that student
of Brienne destined, as Napoleon, to have
such influence on the fortunes of the
world, still periodically performed the
journey from Auxerre to Paris, by The
Yonne and Seine. 1t was a queer old
boat, with a long cabin, and little side
windows, capable, at pinch, of convey
| ing thirty passengers.
The coche was owned, and had been
from time immemorial, by one Bertrand,
IA man of substance and property, who
sill, however, himself directed the oper-
atoms of the boat, and, in fact, almost
lived on board. He was one Of those in
dividuals who work all their lives to
leave fortune to others. Now NJ. Ber-
trand lad daughter Euphrasie, who sat
in little bureau at the stern, and there
took all moneys for passengers and par.
cells. Matthew, in the exercise of his
business was much thrown in contact
with Euphrasie. h often brought her
passengers. parcels, letters, and even once
or twice went TO Paris In the boat. Being
on intimate terms win Old Bertrand, he
soon became intimate with his daughter
and then loved her. Nor did Euphrasie
show any dis,as,e for Matthew. He was
0 fine, handsome fellow, and then his dec
e corations made him somebody. But then
there was the father, who was rich, ava
ricious, and judged of a man only by
; what he had in his breeches pocket.
Still, Matthew and Euphrasie avoided
for awhile all thought about difficulties
-, They felt the first influence of passion
i which is second only to ambition, because
= that is generally more lasting. For tn,
g = world they would not have troubled thei
y. first delicious dream. But they had con
: tiuued opportunities of meeting, and a
lost, naturally enough, these opportuni
ties ended in an explanation. Malhie,
Boisdoux declared himself the girls suit
: or, and Euphrosie agreed that if he coulc
. win her fathers consent, she would b,
. his.
v 1t was on the first day Of November
!. 1910, and the coche from Auxerre wa
r. late. Night had come on, and s,ill tn
Il boat had not arrived. Boisdoux was OF
n the water stairs, on the look out. H
+ knew that the coche would put up for tn
Is night, and not proceed, and had intimate
l. as much to such passengers as we're abou
d to venture by this antique conveyance t
IS Paris. Presently dark mass was see
It moving along the water, and then the oil
e boat came slowly up TO the anchorage.
a. Two hours behind time, Matre Ber
IS trandp exclaimed Boisdoux. 'How i
N This 2
j. sPardieu, my friend,' said the old mar
the wind is contrary, and | never kne'
20 the old coche hurry itself, even for HI
st majesty, the emperor, when had tn
honor of bringing him up on his first voy
is age to Paris
lg The wind has been rough and cold il
ly deed,' replied Ma,hieu, 'but still the o
ne coche is not often so lazy
h. 'Lazy Or not, I'm hungry said the o
,e man, 'and so is Euphrasie SO, let
It. leave the coche in charge of Jerome, ar
h. come on shore
ce Bon soir, Mademoiselle,' exclaime
m BoisdouX heartily.
ed Bon soir, Mathieu,' cried the fres
h. vbice of the young girl and the ne
in moment she had hold of his arm, al
he they went on their way to sup at the o
house still sadly known as the Coche
e. AuXerre.
ed Boisdoux, as he was often wont, supp
on with them. Usually he was merry al
ey pleasant companion, but this night
Ter was dull. Both noticed it, and Ber,ra
he rallied him for his taciturnity. Mathie
he however, made no reply until Euphrai:
at had departed, when he appeared to rou
Wy himself up to an act of courage, beyo
lis. any Of those he had yet ventured upon
md $50 you wonder am dull, he asked
'ay Yes, passambleu, | do. What C
to make youth like you dull Are y
be not free from the conscriptlon Tia
lis you not respectable etat! Are you l
way decorated with two medals, and look
BOD on with unusual respect! Would
r