Delaware weekly Republican. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1841-188?, 1856-05-15
From Chambers Journal.
THE MAN WITHOUT AN ENEMY.


"WELL," soliloquized Francois, as he brushed the
coat of his master NJ Bonneau, nm official in the bu-
reau of finance, if IL were not that don't like to
vex kind master, would gladly change his SER
vice for that of Monsieur Billiard, on the hrst hoor
That's pleasant man to live with-a dramatic au.
thor! He has SO many distinguished visitors; and
then one could go to the play gratis; while here,
l'm like porter to the whole concern. have to
answer inquiries for Monsieur Dugrnet, the captain
on the secsnd floor; have to run for tho doctor fof
the grandmother OF Monsieur Victor, the painter on
the third or carry note from him to Madomeiselle
DUgdinet. Even the writer who lives in the attic
sends with manuscripts to their authors and all
this have to do without getting the doneenr or
single penny, for that was the agreement made with
me by Monsieur Bonneau."
Francois was interrupted by the entrance of bis
master, who, contrary to his custom, seemed in very
bad humor. The domestic, from whom his employ
or had but few secrets, was nbsut to inquire the
cause o. his dissatisfaction, when Nj. Billiard came
n and Francois dsoreetfy retired, certain that soon
"Ah!h cried NJ. Bonneau, addressing his old col
lego e-chum, M Billiard, "pm the most unlucky Cog
in the whole world"
"Whats the matter!"
"That place of head.clerk in the Office, whish was
Justly due to my long services, has been disposed Of
by favor and Intrigue"
'"No great marvel in that" replied Billiard; 'you
must oppose cunning by cunning"
ThaE BSgld be neither honorable nor honest
II did not say 1t wou,..,----..s. . =,
only meant 10 guy IL WOulu Ah buis "NAAet
you must fight people with their own weapons.
WThat may do for you said Bonneau, "who don't
care how many enemies you make"
"Thaps precisely my torts," cried Billiard; "a
man is nothing without enemies. By slandering
him they make his name famous. This fellow must
have somethiAgin him. say the world, ,or 50 many
would not find It worth while to abuse him. man
without an enemy passes through lie mere zero,
uAoticed amongst the vulgar herd"
"Just like me," sighed Bonneau.
"You know have reproyed you thousand times
for yo ur excessv kind said his friend
shut lust now have something else to think or
This evening new comedy OF mine is to De acted
at the Theatre Francois; and have only Just re
ceived my authors free tickets. have no time te
distribute them and must ruseto you to do SO judi
ciously. Mind that you send y an efficient set
applauders.h
,ssyery we'll >" replied Bonneau, taking the ticket
ihnd placing them on his desk
l AFTER all, - mused our hero, whom ho was lett a
lone s'why shouldn't have enemies as well as othe
people? They might do me more good than m.
friends; and, at all events I'll try to make come,
way Of experiment I,ll just begin with the hFi
person meet. Francois" -
"What does monsieur please to want!"
"Francois I'm going to turn you of
"Monsieur will turn me OFF, cried Francois, a
founded.
'Yes-that is I mean I'll give you permission
leave my service"
"Ah! that's another affair" said the servant jo,
fully. ''Delr master, how kind you are! You pc
ceived that wished to hire with Monsieur Biliar
and tha. did not know how TO name it to you
you have yourself given me permission to chang
I shall never monsieur, forget your goodness"
HHere's pretty businesslh exclaimed the su
prsed master; II that thought You rascal,
you mean to say that you wish to leave me fer Bi
/ ard?"
"But monsieur himself'-
k "Ungratefuli"
! "Dear master, lot us understand each other. A
= you going to dismiss me, are you notf"
s'Get about your business" shouted Bonneaui I
III raal Ongsinn EranQOia rAtireu. fully Df
y suaded that his master only meant to try him.
tCome," thought the clerk ot6Ranee, "this Is B
bad beginning. wanted to make an enemy
the fellow, and he only thanks NE for my kindness
D At that moment, Victor, the young artist, enter
y the room, holding letter in his hand.
''Ah monsieur, l beg PARDON" said he, drawi
back. II thought you had gone out, and was se'
ing Francois.n
lg SYou look agitated Monsieur Victor. 1 hC
nothing unpleasant has occurredi"
"only, monsieur that Pm excessively angry. "
IS Monsieur Dugrinet 1 could mot mount guard
ly morning, because my grandmother was taken 81
Cd denly i'll, and had to attend her but myst
There happened to be a riot in the street, and
captain, Dugrinet, said to me, in his daughter's P
- sence, that was afraid to show myself, and Il
: out of harms way. Now, that's SOFT OF thin
eiI want bear from any mani"
,sis "Parbleu!n thought Bonneau; ''heres fine
md portunity for me- 1t won't be difficult to make
lu- enemy of this young fellow. Really" said ho
n loud II don't know but your captain is In the rig
age Every citizen should do his duty"
III "Certainly; but there other duties as inn
ny tant as those Of citizen. My grandmother has
!. ue-the state las many children
). "If every one said that but few would take arm
70 remarked B0nneau, dryly.
'Every one has not 80. good reason as hay
M. .'But every one should aot 50 as to avoid su
Lot cionn
ent Yictor's handsome face aushed high.
md "What am 1 to understand by that, Mons
Ind Bonneau?"
re. Whatever yon choose"
,eii "You are imper inent," said the painter, ''
10 must give me satisfaction As don't want my
TRY grandmother to be disturbed, the sooner We fight
m better; so will just engage a second, and wal
. you at the Bois dc Bouogne"
"Why-what!" said Bonneau, who did not q
relish such sharp practice. "Monsieur Vict
and Monsieur Vietor!" But the painter was air,
,lRne NE gone.
rent swell, ," thought Bennenu, "I wont hurt him m
ions I'll just give him flesh wound, which will o,
n ~. ~ his rancor against mo- Billiard will be slti
ding when have young man of talent for an enen
EN- Feeling a, very natural reluctance ts explain
Mo cause Of the duel to any reasonable friend BON
W. W contented himself with engaging Francois as a
= ond and desiring him to follow him to the app
,einx ed place. The valet thought his master had 4
leave of his senses and before going out t.
edge the story to the family Of NJ, Dugrinet
Al When the clerk aHd his second arrived on the
ttn.vE Ut.tn n