Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1856-05-22

Victor. But at this moment Monsieur and
Madame Dugrinet, with their Daughter
Agnes, appeared on the field; and the la
dies like two brave Sabines, rushed between
the two combatants.
s'Stop sheathe your swords, my friends"
shouted NJ Dugrinet. Then turning to
Victor, he said, Il have done you injustice,
monsieur Victor; you are brave fellow;
and to make you amends, [ give you full
permission to win my daughters heart; if,
indeed you have not already done SO" add
ed he smiling.
"Ah! Monsieur, this is the happiest mo-
ment of my life, said Victor And you,
monsieur, he added, turning to Bonneau,
must permit me to reckon you amongst my
best friends. tits to you 1 owe my felicity"
"There it is again muttered the clerk to
himself [ turn away faithful servant, and
he is delighted [ wound worthy young
man with my sword, and he is enchanted
beyond measure What the deuce shall l
do? Billiard ought to have given me re-
cipe for making enemies"
Meantime the slight wound on Victor's hand
was bound up by the tender fingers Of Ag-
nes who, however, we are bound to declare,
took unfair advantage of the opportunity to
inhict serious injury on the patients heart.
This done the whole party adjourned to their
respective homes. It was three o'clock in
the afternoon when Bonneau, returning to
his apartment, threw himself into an easy
chair, and began to reflect on his misfor-
tunes.
s.No, thought he, I shall never be chief
in the office; I'm not wicked enough for
that: have no enemies, and can't make
them. What shall [ do p Happening to
look up, he remarked on his desk the free
tickets for the play, which Billiard had given
him that morning, which he had not since
found time to distribute.
s'The very thing!' cried he "Biliard
himself shall be my enemy. Nothing more
sensitive than the epidermis of a poet. I'll
get his comedy well hissedv' He summon
ed Francois.
s'Go up to the attic, and fetch the writer
here"
"Monsieur has play Or novel to be CO.
pied? Is monsieur about to become an au-
thor? In that case, would much prefer
remaining" ----
comments call the writer.
"Monsieur Julien, said Bonneau, when
he entered, you're acquainted with many
dramatic writer's, and people who like to see
the play gratis?'
eyes, monsieur"
"Well, here are hundred free tickets
for tonight, which you are to distribute on
condition that the persons taking them must
find the comedy detestable, and unite to hiss
it down. [ shall give you fifty francs for
your trouble
sMany thanks, monsieur. [ shall exc
cute your commission to the very best of my
ability"
Bonneau sat down to dinner, but his kind
heart was Ill at ease. He had real affec-
ton for his carly friend, Billiard, and he
could not bear to think of his disappointment.
Afterwards he took up book, but found it
impossible to read, for grave doubts as to
the rectitude of his actions troubled his con-
science. He wished, and yet dreaded to
hear the step of Billiard. who seldom failed
to pay him visit after the play.
About midnight the door opened sudden
ly, and Billiard, rushing in, threw himself
into his arms.
s'Victory! joy!'' he shouted 'ssuccess
and triumph over all my rivals! IT'S to
you I owe it all. All, Bonneau, true
friend is precious thing
"What's all this murmured the aston
ished clerk. ''How do you owe your sue
cess to me ?''
Through your inimitable sagacity in
| distributing the free tickets When the
public perceived that all the prominent pla-
ces were occupied by my declared rivals,
envious players, and jealous authors, it was
Immediately rumored that league had been
made against me, and that same honest pub
lie became anxious to defeat it. When the
curtain rose, our free ticket gentry tried to
hiss; but they were completely borne down
by thunders of applause from gallery, pit,
and boxes, and in the end were forced to
give in. Before the fifth act, they actually,
to man, joined in the applause. What a
capital hit it was to send them thereN
cit was not who did it, said Bonneau,
family. [ was busy; | gave the tickets to
Julien, the writer who occupies the attic"
'fAh, the worthy fellow! cried Billiard !;
chow we'll he understood his business r'
Just then they heard the writer's voice
outside the door, speaking to Francois.
Billiard called him in to thank him. The
poor fellow felt rather uneasy at the result
of his exertions, and, approaching his en-
ployer, whispered: "Indeed, monsieur, I
did what ] could. I sent the tickets to
Monsieur Billiards. rivals, as if they came
from himself; and that ought to have an
swered. But the public-what can one do
against perverse public p
80 never mind it's all right" said poor
Bonneau, dreadfully embarrassed
The writer withdrew, repeating, in an
under tone: The public what can one do
against the public?'