The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-03-14

even to his ignorance which gave his conduct
the attraction of problem that the young
widow would absolutely solve.
1 All ordinary beau, advancing by the beaten
tracks, would certainly have been discarded,
but the man who made his declaration by throw
ing stones, who broke windows and porceains
to get hearing-that one deserved some con-
sideration.
And then what added piquancy to the ad-
venture, was the contrast between the mild fea-
lures of the young man and the cavalier style
of his letters; it was the strong contradiction
4 between his bashful appearance and the bold
ness of his proceeding. Madame Blainval had
shown herself at the window and hardly had
he dared to cast upon her furtiye glance, he
who sent love letters with effractlon and other
aggravating circumstances.
Adalbert was not however so deeply obsor-
in poetry as to remain insensible to things here
below. He sometimes abandoned his celestial
CONCENTRATIONS to reflect little on what passed
in this lower world. Inspiration might be found
here below quite as we'll as above, particular
when he had glance of his beautiful neigh
bor THAT said he that is the muse I
should like to invoke! But would she listen to
me. poor unknown rhymer? The distance is
50 GREAT between us!' -. And Adalbert sad
dened by these reflections, again took his flight
towards the heavens.
4 Had he known how he stood with his neigh
Dor!
I Nine Blainval removed her pianonear the
window. Spring was come and 1T remained
opened. The young widow there spent long
hours, and sometimes in her impatience she
J closed the curtain, and was a day or two with
out showing herself Adalbert knew not what
to think Of this play, these poutngs, these en-
} couragements.
Every time she came in the saloon, Madame
Blainval looked if there was not another broker
cup. utJulie took SO many precautions that
the accident was not renewed.
The romance was lengthening on this frs
: chapter when Madame Blainval was obliged
to leave Paris to get the benefit of the Bader
waters. The physicians had prescribed then
for her health and her grief. The Bader
waters are marvellous to soothe the sorrow O.
Young and pretty widow. She had therefore
to obey the prescriptions of the faculty and the
imrortunites of an uncle, who was oyerjoyee
at this journey.
They set out The very day Madame Blain
val entered her chaise de poste, Adalbert whe
|
: visit that he was far from expecting.
Sir said the visitor, you are poet?'
L try to be, modestly replied Adalbert.
: I know your talent, I regard it, and the
proof is that am come to ask you for some
poetry. Yes, sir, am an editor and [ wan
to publish, for new years day, an album emit
tied, Baden and its neighborhood. Poetry anc
painting will embellish this book, one Of ou
first artists has undertaken the yignette, art
YOU willing to undertake the poetical descrip
tons? Ifyou accept, no time is to be lost, yo1
$ must set out without delay, I have thought Q
t every thing, and to defray the expenses Of th
Journey, I will advance you these two thousant
francs that are to be the price of yourlabor'
Adalbert accepted and, while hurriedly pre-
pairing for his departure, he asked himself ho,
his unknown merit and his talent, yet shut u
y in his portfolio, could have procured him sucl
! windfall? How could he suspect that the Sc
cret of his fame was altogether in broker
cup?
The opportunity was beautiful one for
literary beginning A book richly illustrated
and appearing under the patronage Of new
!, years day must have a great sale. The poe
l would therefore open his wings and take hi
flight.
'Yes!' cried he, in noble burst Of enthusi
asm, stI will make myself known! the worle
5 shall speak Of me, and may be will then NEE
the muse my heart longs for!
The stir and noise of residence frequentet
by the most brilliant and animated part Of th'
world are not friendly to the meditations of
poet The whole of Europe had rendezvousee
at Baden, pleasures and routs, filled the hours
,, of days and nights: concerts, balls, gambling
engrossed all the yisiters. Adabert felt tina
his place was not in the middle of this tumult
Two or three days were sufficient to see Bade1
and take lis notes, as soon as the observer hae
done his work, the poet shut himself up in ;
lonely retreat which he left occasionally to visi
the neighborhood, and explore that divine coun
try so rich in beautiful sites,s abundantly pro
vided with natures treasures.
: Madame Bainval one evening at a ball hat
a glimpse Of her young neighbor, he passec
, without seeing her, then disappeared like {
shade.
Back to Paris, after six months of constan
labor. Adalbert assembled his friends-twe
or three companions of his unhappy days, ane
two or three con6dants of his fine dreams. HI
read his work to them and they clapped thei
hands. Happy and proud of this honest ap
probation, the poet went to his editor.
This one did not know him, and asked wha
, he wanted.
i bring you my manuscript, replied Abal
bert.
"A manuscript All, sir, business is dull
and times are hard for booksellersp
1 hope you will be satisfied with my poetry
Poetry! did you say?'
why yes, the description Of Baden and it
; neghborhood'
what do you want me to do with it,
; But tits the poetry you want Tor your album
t of new years day
! 4 asked for poetry?' But, sir, I prin
t nothing but works on jurisprudence
l Yet am not mistaken. 1t is certainly yo'
who came to my house and paid me two thou
sand francs in advance
g 'Ah! true, true! Excuse mel had forgotten
/ said the bookseller who remembered his errane
: in the month of May preceding.
The editor received the manuscript and pait
t the sum agreed on. The work appeared witt
: III yirnntta and had a very GREAT success. En-