St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1859-12-15
A HUNDRED THOUSAND
, CROWNS IN RAILROAD
Z ..I3r ST.. CK,,& :|a:eigi q

.; >..ti* VA O1A. %I'i'S'!t 4
TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF MARIE AYCARD
FOR THIS PITTsBURG SATURDAY v1s1TEK,
ny CHARLES p. sHlRAs. ..,#
"My youth. madame said NJ. Laclos in
sentimental tone, "my youths an eclogue
which terminates like tragedy; and, in tact,
nature has made me so sensitive, 50 delicate,
80 impassioned tha: it could not possibly have
been otherwise"
The person who expressed himself thus, was
q man about fifty years Of age, with q COM
manding figure, high forehead and u sable
silveretl head Of hair. the thinness of which
indicated approaching badness; his blue eyes
expressed the gentleness OF . sentimental
melancholy, which seemed to con6m the truth
Of the remark in reference to his early lite.
Although finely forned. NJ. Laclos, had the
misfortune 10 be lame; but this defect could
not be detected at the time Of which we speak,
as he was sitting at an elegant and 8 we'll fLr
nished table, with Mrs. Butler, (widow Of Sir
his right, hand, aud opposite II. Bonncmain, a
notary, and master OF the house. This worthy
amphytrion had invited to his house, the two
persons "of q suitable age" who sat opposite
him, for . purpose which may be readily
guessed. Bonnemain was about the age Of
n. Laclos, whom he regarded as one Of his
good clients, and for whom he held in reserve
all the best chances Of speculation which came
within his reach. Although himself bachc
lor from inclination, he was great advocate
of marriage, as man of business. In his
eye, marriage was the sunny side of his nota-
ryship, and although succession to unravel
may be very lucrative job for notary, he
did not hesitate to rank = contract Of marriage
and easy manners, and being disinterested
perment, he exercised his profession, partly
for profit, partly for curiosity, and partly
because he did not wish to- bury himself from
the world like other old bachelors. ..n:
A few days before the scene which We have
openea, the notary had said to his client:
:: "My dear NJ. Laclos, !, have an excellent
speculation to offer"
'"A speculation! !" vas tho eager response Of
NJ. Laclos as he rested upon his cane e.:st
eyes"
"What is it p ,:~~s->
"a wife,, ~aal &az~~~. >~---~--
"Ah! ah!-where is shee7''
"ln my study thatis to say her title deeds
and other papers are in my study"
non1s%.;a "gss xhss 8 DO you tno" 'eoaosrnhx her.
II will tell you She is Frenchwoman,-
was formerly thewife Of an Englishman, and
Lived At Chelsea, where she was unhappy be-
fore and after the death of her husband.'':
ha'A a rich Fn-lish aw;do& - s:iu N. Lacivy.
somewhat d,sdainfully, mistress > of the art
tof making tea, and in all probability, a blue
stocking" >'%
Il have already tsld you," responded Bon
nemain that chs is q Frenchwoman. VIII
you have her portrait ? Eyes black, hair the
same, face oval, height .nsidd|ing, mouth small,
nose web formed, and hirty-tvc years of age
Or at least her appearance does not betrav a
year beyond that figure. Ai,og gether, che is
'es! a's'ty and attractive woman."
"I",rty-fi7e: 1ciss.l A. laclos ''7he. is
| too young l'.:s.4s * -:
IN; dear sir, when We say that a woman is
thirty five, You can safely bc, its4t she is forty;
but listen she has an estate in burgi4ndy>'
| .Uh! ho! -
"A house in raris."
I '*Gaou." ~-.: 49,,
land a hundred thousand crowns in the
hands Of VI. Rolhschli."
Laclos pressed the hand Of Bonncmain. and
| tears OF gratitude starteJ to his eyes "A
hundred Thousand crowns" !" exclaimed he.
| "The house," continued the notary, sis
burdened with few mortgages.
| "a hundred thousand crowns ~
THE estate in Burgundy is not large, but
t-.s 5s@.si siE&r!sr j., afwjtS ,$ff.rn 73e.t-: .~~
"A hundred thousand crowns!" again in.
fterrupted M: Laclos, a..land depositeds witt,
ERothschild. Liatens Il sDonxsnia;i. l,haveIverv
1 nIns fe,th in the bankers; and 4 hnndred
Thousand crowns depositad III certain houses
mat might s.me, would not besga,sS1ether
eii,d' eli Z Is : 81 ss.!As,eas BY. win koths
i s:Well ehsaid The notary, .are YOU sat;s6eds
Shall present } ou to tue lady =
NJ: Laclos raised lis blue eyes to heaven
and said With. sigh::-1"h Vi youth vas haunt.
g ~ o9s ef those Assp psa.sss'ons which follow
%'sl aIsdersssaa; ~ dear client, Ib,aaex
! ssAnd, !" continued M. Laclos, ,eastinq n
| rather, dissatisfied look upon his lame loo
''sins hss not oblhefated this passion from mo- m
bheaft::, Il, EAe swsaom iof man, my dear Donnc-
man, al has accomplished many, miracles, but it
has neves Jet asptteedcd9 Id {stoppinr for a
p s'psle instant thsl lmeteh ef',i'sioi,tssn4leman
What do' you mean by7 that! inquired
oon9ema'n. @aalTd azI3 Ssuisxa 7ii.oi
Intense nov las itswas thirty years; 20 !; and
+ syer, Inject the dear, ,ohjeot,;-+ 81
t'Stop!" Interrupted Bonnemain. 20 nas,;on
Of thirty Years stanadinsss WhoS ever heard
Of ,sueh : thing ri sauoz;b oa htrgaa
"Shey has = hundred thousand c,,S crowns" :"
repeated Nj Lacloss ss'75fI}o sll5 ii5 oGsEs" GssiEHs""''
/ s'spepositea With Rdthschild: I. said Bonr e.
tas l isss @ ;: stst5ss 5asasfy 49, @f bin"
), 1Ihwa. sftsr this conversation ih.tthe wseal-
SsIae x M heslga I'd .as hgqpoof
interviews followed ssnd thanks to the eaifant
olptonacy :pfa atoan em.!ia, stlss spastiAg vss
:sgreed upon, n Lacl4s appeared as much
IN low 70 any man ofshky cJald bv,7 the sl w;d.
ex: Aatlesi b|..eAAiagl ItsaPedasdi teth,saeshs
:aoRs q ths saaats1't end the 4Stsry pre-
Pased to-sdd snothef tothSe long fifst 81 happy
n.eehss p eenn,.. Eh'eh qspfsio had enabled hiS
99as9sia se5Ra sqe5Raakiss iii hsps ss,s
' oonple tth.s is1Cto ~ eogsthst at q dinner