The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-08-12

Ii tue Uuoiucocs w u0b SUM w JOu uCm6u
for your establishment"
"Two hundred and twenty thousand francs !?
alt is not, perhaps, too dear; and you woul,
probably have no objection to leave some of tn
purchase-money on mortgage. Bus listen {,
me. The times are unsettled, and the mos
solid establishments are at the mercy of reyo
utions, and two hundred thousand francs nov
are better than two hundred and twenty thou
sand in prospective. Here, them he continued
drawing an old portfolio from his rocket, " il
TWO hundred thousand francs in roses of tn.
Bank Of France. If these satisfy YOU, the at
fair is finished. This is my way Of uansactine
business, and in my time / have completed
more important bargains in fewer words"
Dominic and his master both seemed stupe
he'd with surprise. The Baron appeared tc
enjoy their confusion, and rubbed bis hands
and repeated the grimsce to which we have al
luded.
81 am willing to agree" said the proprietor
but it is necessary that the matter should be
arranged by notary"
Why SO? Is not the sale executed in good
form by the three parties PRESENT."
| But with respect to the interest" murmur
| ed Dominic, in q smothered tone of voice,
selling the Barons coat, ait is necessary
| "Bah replied the old man, O. do it to
oblige friend, and am no usurer. Give me
your acknowledgment; desire nothing else.
But, as l have no intention of making you q
| present of two hundred thousand frsncs / will
| arrange it in such q manner that you shall not
| long remain my debtor'
Dominic fell from his elevation, and the
man who always ate stale bread descended to
| the cofee-room. While the buyer and seller
we're preparing themselves to register the
transfer of the property, he swallowed TRANQUILITY
| his cup of coffee, without forgetting the two
pieces of sugar to be transferred to his pocket,
beat q superb march on the table. drew up his
boots, and departed with his two friends, to fin
ish, BY dash of the pen, transfer of the two
hundred thousand francs.
In few days, Dominic was installed in his
new dignity. The little old man continued to
take his customary breakfast in his usual i'm
passible manner, when, one day, as he was
leaving the room, he deviated 30 far from his
usual custom as to approach Dominic, who
was enthroned in the seat of honor, and ad.
dressed him in the following words
dominic" said he, II think you nave warm
affections"
Perhaps" said Dominic, fixing his eyes
upon the Baron, as though he would read his
thoughts.
81 see" said the other, YOU have them when
the occasion demands it. You are right am
pleased with the reservation. l find you have
not lost your heart marriage ia the most i'm
portant affair of mans life. Dominic, you
must get married"
81 have already thought of it, sir" said
Dominic "a wife would be great source of
comfort and economy it would save the ex
pense of a dame de compton,"
True" said the Baron "you have need of
aid and counsel; you shall have them. Be
ready at eight o'clock this evening; will call
for you, and we will pay a visit together"
The appointed hour arrived, and with it the
Baron. Dominic was ready, and accompanied
Monsieur Rageet in hackney. coach to that
quarter of decayed wealth, the Faubourg st.
German. Here they stopped at the door of
house OF mean appearance, and, having as
cended several flights of stairs, entered q small
apartment where they found two ladies, who
received them with marked attention.
Madame Dupre," said the Baron to one of
them, with an appearance of friendly familiar.
ity, this is the worthy man of whom l have
spoken, and in whose welfare hope to interest
you. Dominic" continued he, turning towards
the cofee-house keeper, "this lady is the widow
of man who has rendered me many an i'm
portsnt service. She has promised to extend
her favors to you, and will permit you to visit
her at intervals"
While Monsieur Ragelet was making these
introductions in due form, the daughter of
Madame Dupre, whose name was Rose and
who, without being exactly beautiful, possessed
all the freshness and bloom of the flower whose
name she bore, regarded Dominic attentiyely,
and he, In return, bestowed upon her a large
share OF his attention. The result of this
double investigation appeared favorable to both
parties, for Dominic was we'll formed, and with
good features, and his countenance reflected
the goodness and gentleness of his heart. he
had also taken care at his first ;-.--1-~siou 10
act off his person to the best advantage, be-
lieving the old sdsge, that, with the ladies,
&c n est que k premier pas qHi coate.
But the meanness of the apartment, and the
simple and une pensive dresses OF the ladies,
somewhat disappointed Dominic. he was
anxious at the earliest possible moment to re-
turn the Bsron's loan; and, indeed, thought,
from hint the Baron had dropped, that it was
his intention to introduce him to q lady of
property, with some sum towards the liquida.
ton of his debt. But observing such obvious
signs of want of wealth in the Dupres he came
to the conclusion that the Baron was now desi.
rous of marrying him to a girl who had been
under his prote ction, in return for the favors
which he had just bestowed. This thought oc.
cssioned Dominic great uneasiness; but what
ever the appearance might be, the conclusion
was a wrong one. The next day, as the in
terview had been satisfactory between the
young people, the Baron announced to Dominic
his pians in full He stated the nature of the
obligations conferred upon him By the elder
Dupre, and his desire, as the family were left
in adverse circumstances, to return the obligar
ton without alarming their delicacy; and this,
he thought, he could best do by effecting a
marriage between Dominic and the daughter
of his friend.
Dominic was satisfied with this explanation
and arrangement; the young lady appeared
| truly amiable and desirable as a partner for
| life and, before a week elapsed, Dominic
made a formal cffer of his hand and heart, and
was duly accepted by the protege of "the man
who always ate stale bread"
The marriage was soon after solemnized, and
the same day, after his customary breakfast,
the Baron beckoned to Dominic to approach.
"You have done WELL" said he; "yon have
married, without interested motives, q woman
DESTROYS and capable of rendering you happy.
told you l should find the means to cancel
the debt you owe me; it is the dowry of Rose.
And here" continued he, tearing the two hun.
dred thousand franc bill in pieces, Il destroy
the acknowledgment you gave for the money.
Enjoy it, and be happy"
Dominic, full of gratitude, would have thrown
himself at the Baron's feet, but he was already
out of the door,
1.-Two or three such acts" he muttered to
himself, as he walked swiftly away, sand
shall die eoptented and these are what nv
relations call prodigsl adaptations of my for
tnns "
Dominic verified the prediction vi the Baron
and became millionaire. He improved tn,
establishment in the Palais Royal, and, having
brought it to its present state of perfection, solt
the property for five hundred thousand francs
He is now retired citizen, residing in a nobl
L Il ID O. 49, 1