The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1856-09-06
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There are every where social customs which
may be regarded as so many snales laid for the
incautous inhabitant or the ignorant for
eigner; but no country is so rich in this re-
spect as Ia belle France Having been lately
the victim of one of these traditional traps, |
will describe it here in order to warn others
against it. Ill
Being bachelor Of certain age, I occu-
pied snug little apartment ON the third floor
Of q nice house, or hotel, as the concierge used
to call it, in the Faubourg st. Honore The
first floor, q very splendid suite Of rooms was
occupied by NJ. and Madame de Poupnrt, an
interesting young couple, whose acquaintance
| had the honor OF making through u common
female friend, Madame dc GsranaviIle Having
once or twice dined at their table, Madame
was therefore kind enough to besow upon me
the agreeable title of ami de Ia matSo,, aud
was at the time rather proud of this circum-
stance, little thinking how much The distinc-
tion would cost me.
One evening, was comfortably seated in my
fauteu1 a Ia Foliaire, perusing one Of those
papers which are read with as little attention
as they are written by the journalists them
selves, when the bell rang ut my door. On
opening, | recognized my first floor neighbor,
the amiable M. de Poupart and after the
usual salutatons, the following conversation
took place between us:
Excuse me, sir, said M. dc Poupart, " for
interrupting you at SO late an hour and an
apology is the more necessary, because am
about to commit an indiscretion."
"I am glad to hear it" said L G for was
afraid at first some misfortune might have hap
pened to madame. 4..5..=i5.- s...s5-s'D.7
"Oh, no, thank you ; she is as well as cal,
be expected in her situntion--iur have come
to say that since the afternoon j have had the
good fortune 10 become the father of most
beautiful baby--a chubby, rosy little fellow =
"I m glad to hear it. Pray accept for both
madame and you my best congratulations and
most sincere good wishes
ga thousand thanks" said my obliging
neighbor . and in connection with thai happy
ask you. My good wife, as you must be
tho convent education she received has not
done much toward lcsscning that disposition
You may imagine with what anxiety she pom
dered over The future destinies Of Our frst-born
touching them she consulted famous som,
nambulist, who predicted that the baby would
be very fortunate if it had a happy godfather
We have been on The lookout ever since
among our friends and acquaininnees for the
most prosperous. But this is difficult: one
has too many children: another none at oil
a third has II cross wife; fourth has spect
lated in the funds. liz short, there is not one
among the whole circle who would exclaim
with Candide's metaphysical redagogue, thai
all is for the best in this best Of worlds, Al
4 length it struck Madame Ponpart TINT you are
a true child Of fortune--a thoroughly lucky
man." / acknowledged the compliment b,
bowing in silence " Yes, you-a bachelor
without cares or anxieiies Of any kind, enjoy
ing good health and fine Independence yor
stand in the very sunshine Of fortune; and
therefore ask you, in my own name and that o
my wife, to stand godfather to - child"
AT first / declined politely, thinking the re
4 quest little curious but NJ. de Poupar
called it tride, although he should feel mucl
obliged; and there is always something st
touching even in material weakness and super
stiion that I assented at last. AS Roman
Catholics are accustomed to baptize their chill
dren as soon as possible, the ceremony wa
/ fixed for the next day but one. and was to TAXI
place at the venerable church Of st. Roch
There was no time to be lost and, being tho
roughly ignorant Of French manners ant
nsages, ] applied the next morning to MADAME
de Grandville, and begged her to tell me wha
| was to do. She was exceedingly kind; as
sured ME that the invitation was token 0
\ high consideration on the part Of Mons. AM
Madame de Poupart, and said there wa
nothing at all to do but TO make few triflin.
presents. Besides, was to enjoy the goo'
| fortune of having one Of the most elegant On,
beautiful young ladies Of Paris--that is tosay
her own dear niece--as partner IN the eeFeme
lny, for she was to stand godmother. Th
, obliging lady Immediately wrote memorar
! dun Of what was wanted, addressed to the d
rector Of La Belle Jardinere, very fashions
bic establishment Of nutueattas, as the Pari
j ians call it. She would look after the re.
herself. Ireturned thanks. took the billet, OIL
:. drove hastily to an elegant shop.
VI A very engaging demoisel!e de boutique (,