Litchfield enquirer., 1858-07-15
THE FATAL .CRINOLINE.
A FRENCH STORY

A FRENCH STORY In the Rue St. Martin le Grand, there liy- ed lately the happest married couple in all ] Paris-M. Valdemont, chemist, and his blooming and beautiful wife, Jeannette. Mad anne Jeannette adored her husband, whe was, in truth, very intelligent and kind-hearted man, and of some emnence in his profession ; and he in turn worshipped his hearts de light" as he called his wife with q 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 all the street, and Valdemont was, the envy of all his bachelor friends 3. Madame VaIdemont had but one failing. She eagerly studied the fashions and having once seen in the shop-windows, or on the street, new cut of dress, smaller and more modish bonnet than she then possessed, had no peace of mind till her graceful form or queenly head was decked in the new style. Valdemont was too indulgent and wise husband to interfere with these his wifes petty weaknesses, and generally gladly procured for her all that she asked.
 Coming in to his dinner one day, he notice upon the countenance of his Jeannette that eX- pression of faint melancholic longing which the iEdulgent husband will readily recognize as the unfailing telI-taIe of some newborn de- sire
 What is it, hearts delight ?" asked he, as dinner finished, they sat over their coffee.
 "Notlling, dearest Charles" was the an swer, in that peculiar tone of voice which as- sures the listening husband that nothing" means " every thing" r., ,,,1, loc cf tod Valdemont "Permit me to send for the doc tor"
 No, no, pray do not" begged madame. Indeed, feel quite we'll but" and she hesitated
 Well-but what, hearts delight 2" asked the husband eff you have wish unfulflled, pray tell it me. You know if it is in my pow CT, you shall have all your hearts desires"
 There was yet a little pretty hesitation on Madame Jeannette's part, but after sundry encouraging requests from her husband, she at length spoke out. -,,
 "It is wish which know you will declare to be absurd but will tell it since you ask me to. You have long ridculed the new fash ion by which the dresses of the ladies are so beautifully distended. was at first of your mind, and thought the hoops unbearable. But alas l! see plainly that unless one follows this fashion, she will become the laughing stock, of her lady friends And walking out this morn ing, I saw, in the Boulevard de Madeleine, the most beautiful crinolines Dear Charles, l feel that the happiness of my life depends on a purchase at the magasn. 1 shall Bot dare to go out upon the Boulevard again, without hay ing previously my dress arranged in the new style."
 This said, Madame Valdemont reclined up- on the ottoman, overcome by her feelings, and casting looks of agonized entreaty at her lord, who was, meantime, with saddened expression, carefully examining the flowers upon the wall paper of the room.
 Dearest Jeannette," he said at last, you know how gladly l have always fulfilled your slightest wish. But this time, darling, must remonstrate. I have an unconquerable dis like to crinoline."
 But l shall become sick with disappoint- ment, am sure," urges madame.
 T trust your common sense, and your love for your husband, will prevent such a calam- ity, my dear,"' answered Valdemont "f for must assure you that this one of your wishes must be disappointed. CrinoliDe you cannot have"
 At these cruel words, Jeannette, weeping with disappointment, withdrew to her bed room and locked the door on her hard-hearted spouse, threatening never to emerge from this apartment till her wish was granted and pre- ferring death by starvation to life without cri- nolLe.
 What was Valdemont to do ? Sorrow stricken at this sudden interruption to his cher ished bliss, but experiencing an exceedingly strong aversion to the article which was the unfortunate cause of the disagreement, he re- tired to his laboratory to muse upon the course of his affairs. Here musing, he finally came upon solution of the difficulty. For are not all things possible to genius
 It was already night when he knocked at the door of his wife's sclf-constituted prison. "Pray, open. It is I, Jeannette."
 Without the crinoline, there is no entrance here," resounded from the chamber, in firm, yet agitated voice.
 "Your wishes shall be fulfilled" was the answer and in the same moment the door was opened, and Jeannette took ill one arm her husband, and in the other hand the longed-for garment
 What a shameful deceit There was no crinoline, but simple skirt, colorless and formless Jeanette would have tainted, but Valdemont begged her to restrain the impulse, and attend upon his motions whereupon he drew out small elastic pipe, and through it blew with might and main into the shapeless garment, which shortly developed itself into the noblest and most colossal proportions. It was of India rubber cloth, and the fruit of Valdemonts genius and domestic trouble.
 Jeannette, as may be supposed was almost beside herself for joy at the discovery, the size and grace of which far surpassed the most ia nous crinoline. She hugged her husband to her heart, and thereafter each day walked out | upon the Boulevards, the envy of all the la dies who beheld in the circumference of her dress their most cherished hopes excelled. = But, though the happiness of his wife was