Delaware inquirer. (Wilmington, Del.) 1859-18??, 1859-05-14

cap, and politely inquiring after her health.
With all her roughness Madame Marengo was
a rigid Journalist. She would have felt highly
indignant had man, no matter of what de-
gree, addressed her with his hat on and she
was the more exacting of such homage, that
she knew ii was no longer paid to her person.
al attractions, but to her sex and military
service. When Paul, therefore, stood before
her with his cap in his hand, the good dame,
smiling ON him with gratifed pride, could not
but inquire If there was anything she might
do for himH Should she give a look to his
room, or feed his bird WHILST he was out, or
do any little thing of the kind Paul general
lily accepted of her kind services for he saw
that Madame Marengo was never happier than
when she had made his little room quite neat,
sewed q loose button on his coat, or render
ed him any other trifiing service. In this
manner, from mere acquaintance, they soon
became friends. She loved the young work.
ing-man for his never-failing good-humor,
which seemed to her to gladden. the whole OF
the gloomy house for the few hours he spent
in it and he liked the cardeuse for her quaint
sayings old stories of long-fought battles,
and the genuine kindness which, notwith.
standing her outward roughness, still lived
at her heart.
It happened that M. Pascal Camus, who
was, however, far more exclusive than even
Madame Marengo, was, like her, unaccount-
ably Modified by the cheerfulness and good
temper of Paul Simoneau. 1t was this worthy
gentleman's habit, when his pupils had re-
tired for the evening, to sit on chair near
the threshold of his schoolroom, and thence
mark attentively who went up or came down
the stairs. The FORTRESS, whose office he
thus usurped, was highly indignant at his
presumption, which she ascribed to overween-
ing curiosity; but NJ. Pascal Camus, like all
true philosophers, delighted to observe hu-
man nature, and he declared that he had
learned more by sitting at his door, with his
little Annette working by his side, than from
the reading of heavy folios.
It was thus he first saw Paul Simoneau
coming home from his work in the evening,
with his bag of tools thrown on his shoulder,
and ascending the steep staircase that led to
his attic, with step so free and elastic, that
NJ. Camus, who averred he knew a mans
temper from his trade, instantly saw that
Paul was perfectly happy. The young man
did not fail, on his part, to notice the school
masters quaint and stumpy figure but see
ing him, evening after evening, in the same
attitude-for either summer or winter, NJ.
Camus was at his post--he began to think
that he could not pass by him without some
token of recognition. Not wishing, however,
to make too free-there being nothing particu-
larly inviting in M. Camus' solemn visage-he
merely bowed as he passed the door of the
school-room. Here was a proper concession.
The schoolmaster acknowledged his bow by a
condescending nod; but though it would not
have looked dignifed to be pleased, he was,
to say the truth, exceedingly gratifed. There
must be something truly delightful in natural
curiosity, for it seldom fails to conciliate the
most rugged and stern are softened by it, be.
cause they feel that it is not mere empty
form; they see that it comes from the heart
NJ. Pascal Camus, though wise and learn
ed man, was not above being placed with the
Difference of those whom he considered his
interiors. Paul's bow showed the secret but
respectful admiration which he felt for his
NJ. Camus'-character his not venturing OIL
any undue familiarity, also spoke in his fav or
in short, the schoolmaster was SO well pleas
ed with the young working-man, that his noe
became more condescending every evening
until he at last, one day, actually asked hin
to walk in. This interview so heightened his
good opinion of Paul, that he frequently re
newed his invitation and the young man
who found the schoolmaster's conversation
improving, though somewhat pedantic, ne
elected no opportunity of being in his com
pany. 1t was not long before Mundane Maren
go discovered that Paul Simoneau was oil
friendly terms with her enemy ; she was in
dignant at the schoolmaster's impertinenc,
in presuming to entice away person in whom
she felt an interest, for she would never admi
that M. Camus might love Paul for his owl
sake; everything was done to vex and annoy
her. NJ. Camus entertained similar opinion
"If Madame Morengo paid the young mai
any little attentions, it was because she knew
that this was offensive to him." But thel
both agreed that such conduct was too con
temptible to be worthy of the least attention
and determined to disappoint the enemy by
taking no notice of this treacherous attack
Thus the two antagonists excluded in theii
imaginary triumph over each other, admirin,
their own wisdom, and plying the blindness
of their foe.
This dream, so soothing to the pride OF tn
two antagonists, was unfortunately disturbe
by Paul Simoneau he did not, or would not
understand that their enmity was for them
very pleasant and comfortable feeling and h
actually took great pains to destroy it, In tn
first place, he completely undeceived them a
to the belief each had so long entertained
that the other was always engaged in som
dark plot against his or her welfare. He prov
ed to M. Camus that Madame Marengo though
much more about her mattresses than abou
him; whilst he clearly showed her that sh
was of very secondary Importance in tn
, schoolmaster's opinion, by assuring her, whe
, she wanted to know all the bitter things h
had been saying of her, that M. Camus ha
r not uttered her name to him for the last week
OF course madame could not believe this (;
was said to spare her feelings; but Paul nee
not fear; she was accustomed to the sol
Cossack's" hatred, &c. When Paul, how
ever, assured her that this was actually tn
case, she felt exceedingly disappointed, an
haughtily wondered whether NJ. Camus fel
. himself equally aggrieved on learning fror
! the young man that he was not the first obiec
of Madame Marengo's thoughts. The tw
. enemies now began to discover that the char
r of their hatred was rapidly vanishing away
' and as this was evidently Pau's doings, the
would have quarrelled with him had the thin
n been possible. But he looked so unconsciou
i of harm, and seemed so pleased when he ha
been saying something likely to reconcile them
a Matters went on thus for some time, unit
gradually, and in spite of themselves, tn
feelings of the two antagonists began to mod
fly. Paul had the art--if that could be calle
art which was so natural to him-of settin
4 things in their most pleasant and kindly as
, pect. There was not good trait in the chai
, acter of Madame Marengo which he did NO
repeat to M. Camus, and oice versa This di
not produce very strong effect on the schoo
, master, whose heart was somewhat tough
but Madame Marengos was Of softer texture
Being what is termed woman of strong a
fections, she could not remain in a state
/ Indifference. Her hatred for the schooimaste
, was fast melting away evidently it would
+ replaced by better feeling. All at once sh
1 began to discover that M. Camus was n
. markable man, and profoundly learned; the
his daughter Annette was such nice, prett
+ girl in short, there were not so many reason
for killing him upon the whole One morning
! when she was thus fayorably disposed. III