The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-01-26
The Bellows A1ender.

% T. the South of France. My father had made
sanv a fruitless effort to raise himself above
:nd;gence. : His last resource in his old age
.rn .rose from the exercise Of talent which he
s.d acquired in his youth, that Of bellows
nendipg. This, too, was the humble profession
rh;ch desired to follow. Being endowed by
rst,re ~, with quick and with lively faculties Of
both mind and body, l soon grew skilllul in
NV trade, and having an ambitious spirit, set
~ for Lyons to prosecute my calling there l
~oa 10 far successful that l became a great ftl-
-orite with chambermaids who were my chief
employers, and whom my good looks and youth
interested in my favor. @.FaD
(,ne evening, however, as | was returning
home after my days round, was accosted by
Sour yell-dressed young men, who threw out q
sv pleasantries on my profession, which I
answered in style Of good humored raillery
that seemed to surprise and please them. saw
them look significantly at one another, and
heard them say, this is our man." The words
alarmed me, but my fears were speedily dissi-
pated. .,
ne We have scheme which may do you good.
If YOU do not agree to it we shall not harm
Won. but ask you to keep our secret. Do not
be aIruluy uuU SoLS WIN uo'
Seeing all of them to be gentlemen in ap-
uearance, l did not hesitate to accept the offer !;
tbey conducted me through number of cross
streets, and at last entered handsome house,
IN an apartment of which we found six other
young men, who appeared to have been waiting
impatently for my conductors. A few ex-
planatory words passed respecting me, and
soon afterwards we sat down to supper. Being
Young, thought!ess and lght-hearted, | gave
vsy to the enjoyment Of the hours, and vented
succession Of pleasantries, which seemed
highly to please my chance companions, But
they all grew thoughtful and silent ere long,
and finally one Of them addressed me thus:
"Thc ten persons whom you see before you, y
said he, care all citizens of Lyons. We are oil
in good circumstances. and make good living
by our occupation. We are all attached to one
another, and formed a happy society, till love
stepped in to disturb us. In the street of st.
Dominic, there lives picture merchant, a
man Of respectable station but otherwise an
ordinary parsonage. He has, however, a
daughter, creature possessed Of every accom-
plshment. and endowed with every grace, but
whose amiable qualities are shaded by one de-
fect-pride, insupportable pride AS an exam
pie of the way in which this feeling has led her
to treat others, l will own that l myself paid
my addresses to her and was approved by her
father, as one by birth and circumstances much
her superior. But what was the answer which
the insolent girl gave to my suit. "Do you
think, sir, that young woman like me was
born for nothing better than to be the wife o.
an engraver?"
"lIer great pride and charms have beer
equally felt by us ALL" continued the speaker
we hold that she has cast slur both on us
and on our profession. We therefore, have
resolved to show this disdainful girl that she
has not indeed been born to the honor of being
the wife Of an engraver Now, will you, lad
dressing me) venture to become the HUSBAND
Of charming woman, who, to attain perfec
ton, wants only her pride mortified, and lei
vanity punished
"Yes," l answered, spurred on by the ex
eitemeIt Of the moment: al comprehend
what you would have me do, and ! will fulfil
it in such manner that you will have no rca
son to blush for your pupil"
The three months which followed this strange
scene were wholly occupied with preparations
for the part was to perform. Preserving th'
s.rictest possible secrecy, the con!ederatcs die
their best to transform me from plain bellow
lnender into fine gentleman. Bathing, hair
dressers etc., brought my peron to a fitting dc
gree OF refinement, while every day one or th'
other of the engrayers devoted himself to TIL
task Of teaching me music, drawing and othe
accomplishments, while nature had furnishe,
me with disposition to study, and a memor.
so retentive that my friends were astonished u
The progress Of their disciple.
TheughtIess of all else. felt the deepest de
light in acquiring these new rudments OF edu
cation. But the time came when | was to b
made sensible, for the first time, of the task
mad entered upon. The confcderates at lengt
thought me perfect; and in the character of tn
rich Marquis Of Rouperon, proprietor OF tn
large estates in Dauphiny, l was installed Il
inc first hotel in Lyons. 1t was under this It'll
presented myself to the picture dealer in 81
Dominic street, / made few purchases fror
MN, and seemed anxious to purchase moro
After little intercourse of this kind, he SCH
me word one morning that he had Just receive
asuperb collection Of engravings from Romt
and begged me to call and see them. did sc
and was received, not by him, but by Aurora
This was the first sight had got Of that loyel
gr!, and for the first time in my life my youn
and palpitating heart felt the power Of beauty
A new world unfoded itself before my eyes
lsoon forgot my borrowed part; one scntime
absorbed my soul, one idea enchained m
faculties. The fair Aurora perceived her tr
umph, and seemed to listen with colnplacenc
to the incoherent expressions OF passion whic
escaped my lips. That interview fixed m
destiny for ever. The intoxication of cnjoyin
her presence hurried me on, blind to everythin
else. For several months saw her every da.
and enjoyed state of happiness only dampene
oy the selfaccusing torments of solitary hour
and of the necessity was under Of regularl
meeting my employers, who furnished me wit
money, jewels, and everything l could requir
AT length Auroras father gave fete in IL
country, of which I was evidently the hero
moment occurred in which, thoughtless of a