Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-03-25
ISCELL A n Y .
The Fatal Crinoline.

In the Rue st. Martin le Grand, there lived
lately the happiest married couple in all Paris
Nj. ValGemont, a chemist, and his blooming
and beautiful wife, Jeannette. Madame jean
nette adored her husband, who was, IN truth,
very intelligent and kind-hearted man, and OF
some eminence in his profession and he In turn
worshipped his "heart's delight" us he called
his wife, with fervor which scarce permitted
him to think of aught else but her comfort and
pleasure. The felicity of this youthful pair was
the talk of a. the street,and Valdemont was the
envy OF all his bachelor friends.
Madame Valdemont had but one failing. She
eagerly studied the fashions; and having once
seen in the shop-windOws, or on the street, q
new cut of dress, q smaller and more modisl
bonnet than she then possessed had no peace OF
mind till her graceful form or queen!y head was
decked in the new style. Valdemont was too
iudulgent and wise husband TO interfere with
these his wife's petty weaknesses, and generally
gladly procured for her all that she asked.
Coming in to his dinner one day, he noticed
npon the countenance of his Jeanette that ex-
preston of faint, melanchoc longing which the
indulgent husband will readily recognize as the
unfailing tel-tale of some newborn desire
| "What is it, hearts delightP' asked he, as,
dinner finished, they sat over their coffee.
| "Nothing, dearest Charles" was the answer,
| in that peculiar tone of voice which assures the
listening husband that nothing" means "every-
thing"
'sYou seem feveriSh, dearest" suggested Val
demont. Permit me to send for the doctor"
''No, no, pray do not" begged madame. "ln
deed, feel quite well but" and she hesitated
"Well-bat what, hearts delight" asked the
hu sband. ',If you have wish unfultilled, pray
tell it me. You know if it is in my power You
she II have all your heart desires"
There was yet little pretty hesitation on
Ma dame Jeannette's part, but after sundry en-
cou raging requests from her husband, she at
len 9Th spoke out.
lit is a wish which know you will declare
abs ard but will tell it since you ask me to-
You have long ridiculed the new fashion by
which the dresses of the ladies are so beautiful
" dis tended. was ut first of your mind, and
thought the hoops unbearable. But alas
sec lainly that unless one follows this fashion,
sine. will become the laughing-stock of her lady
friends. And walking out this morning, | saw,
in the Boulevard de Ia Madeleine, the most beau
tiful crinolines, Dear Charles, feel that the
happiness of my life depends on purchase al
that u ,qqasin. | shall not dare to go ont upon
the Boulevard again, without having previously
nv dress arranged in the new style"
trrhis said, Madame Valdemont reclined upon
the ottoman, overcome by her feelings, and cast
| inc looks OF agonized entreaty at her lord, who
was. meantime, with saddened expression, care
fully examining the flowers upon the wallpaper
of the room.
"Desrest Jeanette" he said at last, ''you
know how gladly have always fulfilled your
slightest wish. But this time, darling, must
demonstrate. have an unconQuerable dislike
to crinoline.'
s.But shall become sick with disappointment
I am sure," urges madame.
~ trust your common sense, and your love
for your husband, will prevent such calamity
nv dearn answered Valdemont; "for must a.
snre YOU that this one of your wishes must oe
d;.annointed. Crnolne you cannot have"
AZ these cruel words Jeannette, weeping with
disappointment, withdrew 10 her bedroom aho
locked the door on her hard-hear'eo spouse
tLrooton;no never to emerge from this apartment
,in her wish was granted ana preiefrihg ueath
| by starvation to life without criLoiine.
What was Valdemont todo oorFow-Slricken
at this sudden interruption to his cherished oSs,
! but experiencing an exceedingly strohS aversion
! to the article which was the unfortunate cause
of tba disagreement. he retired to his laboratory
to muse upon the course of his affairs. Here
mnsinr he finally came upon q solution of the
difficulty For are not all things possible to
genius A..
1t was already night when he knocked at the
door of his wife's self constituted prison.
"Pray open. It's |, Jeanette"
"Without the crinoline there is no entrance
here.n resounded from the chamber, in firm,
yet agitated voice ,.r A
"Your wishes shall be fulfilled" was the an
swer; and in the same moment the door was o.
pened. and Jeanette took in one arm her hus-