Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-04-10
miscellaneous.
THE LITTLE sAvoYARD.


the Marquis de ", former ambassador and
peer Of France--a wedding celebrated a few
/ years since with so great pomp at the chapel
of the Palace Of the Luxembourg, and in the
magnificent hotel Of NJ J. But everybody
does not know tho singular and charming
episode which attended the entertainments
of the aristocratic marriage, and which
quired for the husband in the banking hall,
a reputation for unequalled originality.
II was the morning of the wedding The
equipages of NJ. Andrew J. were awaiting
him in the court, aud nc was awaiting his
witnesses in a saloon gilt from floor to ceiling,
when valet de chambre announced the tai
lors Of Monsieur Intact, ten talors entered,
each bearing parcel under his arm, and all.
/ like Roman soothsayers, unable TO look at
each other without laughing.
These ten tailors bore fifty costumes Of
Savoyard chimney-sweeps, for staturel Of
from eight to fourteen years. which they
deposited on the brilliant fauteuis Of the
saloon. NJ J. examined as a connoiseur this
collection Of waistcoats, jackets and trowsers,
declared himself satisfied, and distributed
two thousand francs TO the tailors, who re-
tired with a stupofed air
After the tailors came the hattcrs with
fifty caps, then the cheaisieTs with fifty
shirts the shoomakers, with fifty pairs of
shoes, and at last, the musical-instrument
maker, with fifty hurdy-gurdies. All went
away well paid, but more and more mystifed,
and asking whether all this was done for
wager.
NJ J. then summoned all his clerks, and
spoke to them in this manner
You will traverse all the quarters of
Paris, and invite all the chimney-sweeps you
meet to dino with me. You will promise
louis to all those who accept, and when you
have found fifty you will bring them here.
You will find in my bathing-room all that is
necessary for washing them from head to
foot This operation ended, you viii make
them put on these costumes. each according
to his stature; then seat them at the table
in this saloon, while our other guests dine in
the adjoining one.
The clerks were amazed made him repeat
the ordor to assure themselves that il was
not a dream, and went to execute il without
understanding it,
1t was one of the coldcst mornings in win
ter. Frost bad succeeded to snow pale
sun was Illuminating the ice without dissov-
ing it. 1t was fine weather for sweeping
ohmneys, and the messengers Of NJ. J. soon
found the number Of chimney-sweeps required
Imagine their surprise when they were prom
ised louis each, on the sole condition of
accepting an invitation to Il wedding dinner.
The good news ran from chimney to chimney,
like tclegraphic dispatch and in less than
two hours, there was scarcely a Sayoyard to
be met with in the streets All the chimneys
which were 10 be swept that day were
threatened with a conaagration.
Having only the embarrassment of d choice.
the emissaries of the banker hraualV sniznd
the blackest, dirriest. anu most ragged and
when they made their entree into the beaui
ful hotel of NJ j., one would have thought
it the palace Of Jupiter invaded by Vulcan.
The contrast was the more striking. that our
messengers encountered the file of oquipages
which were bringing back the wedding party
from the Luexembourg. On one side, hveries
of gold and silver dresses of silk and velvet,
/ laces and Jewell the most elegant dandies and
the prettiest women in Paris on the other,
faces covered with sweat and smoke, hair in
disorder, rags or half-naked bodies.
While these brilliant guests turned away
their eyes, asking what this signihed, NJ. j.
fixed on the Sayoyards melancholy glance,
and seemed to say within himself, '' Is hap
piness to be found here or there
" 1t is here - replied his lips, as he pressed
J
! And he introduced her as queen into his
palace, not without having made sign to his
people to take care of the chimney-sweeps
An hour afterward, stream black as ink
crossed the court and empticd into the street
gutter. It was the washings from fifty Saw
oyards who. at the same instant, emerged
from the bath so much fairer and winter,
plumper and iresher that they had literally
] 81, "a f..rt ft,ef
saw the air and sun. One would have
thought company of frightful demons had
been transformed into eherubs and cupids.
Meanwhile, the hour for the entertainment
arrived thousand lights sparkling from
gold and bronze, illuminated the hotol After
having traversed the apartments of the new
ly married couple, enriched with all which
the taste of a millionaire could devise, the
guests had Just arranged themselves around
a table, and had entirely forgotten the appa-
rtion of the chimney-sweeps.
Suddenly, the two leaves Of the large
folding doors flow OPEN The adjoining sa-
loon was seen also Illuminated, garnished
with splendid banquet. and filled with a
throng of Joyous guests 1t was like a
scene at the theatre, or the stroke of fairy s
, wand.
s Everybody uttered an exclamation of sur
prise. except NJ Andrew j. aud his wifi,
who exchanged a smile of intelligence. But
they could scarcely believe their own eyes
and ears, or recognize the frightful little
Sayoyards of the morning. changed into pretty
children, all in new jackets, new shoes, new
caps dancing and singing to the sound of
their hurdy-gurdies, and about to eat from
c silver and drink from crystal.
: 1t was like vision of Savoy, as the poet
= and painters represent it. Nothing was
4 wanting but smoking cabins and snow-coyered
e hills, NJ. J, pressed his wiie's hand, and
concealed his eyes filled with tears.
p my friends" said he to his rich guests,
o ''forgiye my fantasy. Finding myself to-day
the most fortunate OF men, wished to share
my happiness with the most unfortunate.
This noble explanation was applauded by
all but they suspected that only corner
d of the veil had been raised and while await
+, ing the denouement of the scene, little and
!. great dined their very best The little ones
: especially made amends in an hour for all thu
II days of fasting which had already marked
5, their short lives The juicy dishes, the deli
C. cate game, the exquisite ragouts, the exoti'
D. fruits and even wines found ready market