The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-03-12
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THE MAN WITHOUT AN ENEMY.

Billiard, on the first foor That's pleasant
man to live with-a dramatic author! He has
so mary distinguished visitors; and then one
could go to the play gratis; while here, I'm
like porter to the whole concern. ] have
to answer inquiries for Monsieur Dugrnet, the
captain, on the second floor; have to ruin for
the doctor for the grandmother of Monsieur
Victor the painter, on the third; or carry a
mote from him to Mademoiselle Dugrinet.--
Even the writer who lives in the attic, sends
me with manuscripts to their authors; and all
this | have to do without getting the doatceur
of single penny, for that was the agreement
made with me by MoSs;eur Bonneau."
Francois was interrupted by the entrance
ef bis master, who, contrary to his custom,
seemed in very bad humor. The domestic,
from whom his employer had but few secrets,
was about to inquire the cause of his dissatis-
faction, when NJ. Billiard came III, and Fran
co.'s discreetly retired, certain that. sooner or
later his curiosity would be satisfied
"Ahn' cried NJ. Bonneau addressing his old
Icollege-chu NJ Billiard, Pm the most un-
lucky dog in the whole world!''
Whats the matter?n
Chat place of head-clerk in the Office, which
was justly due to my long services has been
disposed ofby favor and intrigue"
''No great marvel in that,' replied Billiard;
"you must oppose cunning by cunning"
'That would be neithef honorable nor hon.
lest" remarked Bonneau.
81 did not say it would" retorted his friend,
81 only meant to say it would sttcceed. In
this world, you must fight people with their
own weapons"
"rhat may do for you," said Bonneau, "who
don't care how many enemies you make"
"That's precisely my forte" cried Billiard.
Al,
Islandering him, they make his name famous
This fellow must have something in him, say
the world, or so many would not find it worth
while to abuse him. A man without an enc
my passes through life mere zero, unnoticed
among the vulgar herd"
''Just like me-" sighed Bonneau.
"You know have reproved you thousand
times for your excessive kind -heartedness,' -
said his friend; "but just now I have some
thing else to think Of This evening, new
comedy of mine is to be acted at the 1'rcatre
Francias; and | have only just received my
authors tickets. I have no time to dis
tribute them, and must trust TO you to do SO
judiciously. Mind that you send me an eff
cient set of applauders,"
every WE'LL" replied Bonneau, taking the
tickets and placing them on his desk.
"After all,'' unused our hero, when he was
left alone, "why shouldn't have enemies as
well as other people? They might do me
more good than my friends: and at all events,
I'll try to make some, by way cf experiment
I'll just begin with the first person meet
Francoisn'
"What does monsieur please to want?''
"Francois, Pm going to turn you off,
"Monsieur will turn ME offl' cried Francois
astounded.
"Yes--that is, mean 1ll give you permits
sion to leave my seryice.'
"Ah! that's another affair."" said the servant, (
joyfully. Dear master, how kind you are
Y You perceived that wished to hire with Mon
seur Billiard, and that did not know how to
name it to you; so you have yourself given me
permission to change. I shall never, Monsieur,
forget your goodness"
"Here's pretty business!' exclaimed the
surprised master; 81 that - You rascal,
do you mean to say you wish to leave me for
Biliard?"
''But Monsieur himself"
"Ungrateful"
Dear MASTER let US understand each 9TH
Ter. Are you going to dismiss me, or are you
not?"
~"Get about your business!" shouted Bonne-
au, for once in real passion. Francois reti-
red fully persuaded that his master had only
meant to try him.
Come" thought the clerk of finance, "this
is but bad beginning | wanted to make an
enemy of the fellow, and he only thanks me
for my kindness!"
At that moment, Victor, the young art
list. entered the room, holding letter in h
hand.
"Ah, Monsieur, beg pardon" said he, draw
ling back. II thought you had gone out, and
was seeking Francois"
.You look agitated, Monsieur Victor" said
lhe. ~ hope nothing unpleasant has occur
red?"
"Only, Monsieur, Pm exceedingly angry
with Monsieur Dugrinet. | could not mount
guard this morning, because my grandmother
Was taken suddenly i'll, and had no one to at
tend her but myself There happened to be a
riot in the street, and our captain, Dugrinet,
said to me, in his daughters presence, that
was afraid to show myself and kept out Of
harms way Now, that's sort of thing
won't bear from any mani"
"Parbleu!" thought Bonneau, "here's fine
tophp5ortdnity for me- 1t won't be difficult for
me TO make an enemy of this young fellow.
Really" said he aloud. Il don't know but your
captain is in the right Every citizen should
do his duty"
Certainly; but there are other duties as i'm
portant as those of a citizen. My grand
mother has only me-the state has many
children"
arms remarked Bonneau dryly:
Every one has not so good reason as
have,'
"But no one Should act so as to incur sus-
Ipicion."
"What am | to understand by that, Mon
lsieur Bonneau?"
Whatever you choose"
You are impertinent,e said the painter,