The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-22
BIDDEFORD, MAIN E,

ain this nineteenth century Of ours, an
at the age of si1-and-twenty, you are ~
tually going to marry portiOnles' siri'
81 am"
Unfortunate friend, and unfortunat
France" said Tancred, parOdying the fam
Gus saying Of the Journal des Debdt', rcla
tive to the insane conduct Of the despicabi
Charles Y.
"Do not make yourself uneasy on IN.
account" !" resumed Conrad, al shall worl
hard besides We mean to be satisfied will
little"
each sees these things in diaeren
light" said the lawyer; and now in return
for your confidential communications,
must inform you that I am about to MARI.
the daughter of an iron-founder.
Is she prettyg"
"She will bring me three hundred thods
and francs on our wedding day."
Is she intellectually"
"Shc has large expectations besides hel
marriage portion"
You don't choose to understand me-
Do you love her? Does she love your
That's the most interesting point"
"I have only seen her once" replied the
lawyer.
Unfortunate friend unfortunate state
of society :" exclaimed Conrad, laughing.
They separated in less good spirits than
formerly, but with the same agreement as
heretofore of meeting that day twelvemonth.
Conrad had not been ruiIled by tho law.
ycr's sarcasms. He relied upon his own re-
sources, and they had not failed him. Ills
talents increased, and celebrity began to
wait upon his name. In the beginning he
had been content to earn his bread by the
drudgcry of the art, such as making designs
for title-pagcs of cheap publications, DC. ;
but now he was called upon to illustrate the
works of the great writers. This asproft-
able labor, which placed him in easy circum-
stances.
On the 3lst of October following hc met
his friend with a happy face.
"You look satisfied" said Tancred.-
Z" How stands your little fortune by now?"
81 have followed your prudent advice"
replied Conrad, "and put by triao for a
rainy day. besides which, I have bought a
little cottage at St. Germain-en-IAye."
"But what is il all worth ?" asked the
lawyer.
"Thirty thousand francs; twenty thous-
and vested in the funds, and ten thousand
IN the little house."
A sarcastic smile played round the law
yer's lips as he exclaimed" Thirty thous-
and francs! What arc you'made of to be
content with so little? Why, I have five
bSaaEa S54 A4%snd sRsS snf ha ht5si soon
double that amount.
"Do you actually mean you.hope to gain
twice five hundred thousand francs, Tan
cred?"
"To be sure. Next year / hope to be-
come senior advocate; and before twelve
month shall be worth q Million"
"As it was q rainy day, our friends part
ed early.
Farewell Tancrcd, }" said the artist.
Farewell, and do grow little more
world-wise," said the lawyer.
The lawyers hopes were literallyrealizcd.
His brethren Of the bar elected him senior
advocate, in compliment to his high talents
An honor which might have satisfied the
ambitious of any public man. But opulenco
was the chief aim of his excrtions. He gave
himself no rest-partook Of no amusement
-wendto no balls and no dinner-ho would
be millionaire, and he at length became
one.
This time, Conrad, having again been the
first to keep his appointment, was struck by
the change in his friends person. Tancred
was scarcely recognizable.
Premature badness had left his skull ex-
posed to the comments Of phrcnologists. A
pair of green spcctaclcs protected his once
brilliant eyes, from tho full glare Of day,
while his emaciated cheeks wore the sickly
hue of waxcn images. His form was bent,
and he was constantly chewing chocolate
pastilles to strengthen his stomach. When
the artist pressed his hand, he felt as If he
were holding the fingers Of a marble statue,
with in his grasp, bnt he endeavored to con,
ceal his impressions. On sitting down to a
table, he filed his glass, and gave Us the
toast, "To our mountains in Morvan."
The lawyer scarcely seemed to under
stand what he meant.
81 am worth million, Conrad" said
he. -
almost guessed as much, ahsWereo
the artist. swell, / should be most hap
py to hear it, were it not that it seems to bt
purchased at expense of health and youth"
Then, fearing he had spoken n little toc
plainly, he added, in u gcntler tone" Yor
know, Tncred, ever since we returned from
the Pond of varvy, you have treated me n
a visionary, because am satisfied will
quiet happiness. Now you must know tha
it is you who are visionary. What ar
you the better for this million! Do yo'
live? No-not more than q block Of stone
The seasons 80 by without your noticing
them-your life is worse than o galley slaN
You never knew what II was to love!
have known you brisk, happy, vigorous, ant
ruddy, and now you are fastening to pre-
mature old age, and no wonder, when yo'
rob both meals and sleep to gain time toad
a few more piles Of gold to your vast for
time. Your hair is streaked with silve