Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-07-31
dWOrtester Daily spp.
Translated for the Home journal.
THE INFLEXIBLE PRIME MINISTER

principally but the incorruptible austeritv. the
lnfexible tirmness of the prime minister of his
. hlghness This invulnerable man, it was
SAID, had been dipped, like Achilles, in the
waters Of the StyX-heel not excepted.
To explain this reputation, it would be ne.
cessary to give the whole history OF the bar
en's political life. All that can be done here
ls.to illustrate it by single incident.
The prince, one day. lntimated his intention
to give seat in his council to Baron Corbach,
skilltul diplomatist, whose talents, he
thought, might be usefully employed. The
baron had one of the largest fortunes of the
princpaity but the source OF it was report
ed to be not altogether honorable. His father.
who had formerly been minister of war, had
shown great indulgence to certain suspected
army contractors, and this facility, on his part
had conceded with great and sudden access,
ion OF wealth The prince had hardly an
nounced his intention, when the prime minis
ter rose:
81 must beg your highness," he said, ito
have the goodness to accept my resignation,
cannot sign an order which Will confide the
interests OF the state to man whose father
has become rich at the expense Of the public
treasury"
The prince did not accept the resignation
He could not sacrifice to his fancy for the
Baron Corbach minister whose popularity
was one of the greatest supports OF his govern
ment.
Baron Lobenstein had one son, Frederic
not less admired by the female portion of the
community than his father by the sterner SEX
Mammas admired him as most excellent
matclI-their daughters, for his fine personal
qualities. But Frederic appeared to have no
fancy for gay society his tastes were for sim
pie pleasures and country life; and whenever
he had few hours to dispose Of he would
mount his horse, and, leaving the walls behind
him, ride forth to feast his eyes, for time.
upon rural scenes. 1t was strange, however,
that this ardent admirer of nature should per
sist in contemplating it from a single point,
and nnder one aspect only. LII all his excur.
slonS he invariably left the city by the same
gate, followed the same route, and never went
beyond a certain limit.
If any one had been curious enough to fol-
low him, the explanation of this uniformity
would have been found at the end of an ayen-
lie of chestnut trees, in the garden of an ele-
giant manor house, where a young girl, not
less regular in her habits than himself, was
found every day, at the exact hour of his ride.
watching the growth of her favorite plants.
WiIhelmne was pretty, graceful, inteIli
gent, amiable; but if Frederic had been quite
aware of this before seeing her, and had been
informed, at the same time, that he would
meet her by riding toward the south, he would
have turned his horses head, in preference, to
any other point OF the compassion Wilhelm
inc was the daughter of Baron Corbach.
He was not consulted in the matter. They
met by accident; and, having once seen her,
he could not resist the desire to see her again.
and after several interviews it was easy to per
1suade himself that his father would receive
her as daughter at his earnest entreaty.
He tried it one day, and was quickly unde-
ceiVed. The baron informed him that if the
lady had been merely poor, he would not have
hesitated moment. If she had even been of
humble birth he might have given his consent
out of affection for his son; but it was impos.
sibe for him to admit into his family any one
whose ancestors were not all of stainless integ-
riy. Frederic was not disposed to give up
hope yet. He applied to his mother for help.
The baroness tried her persuasive powers upon
her husband, who listened to her patiently
but at the close of her eloquent appeal, calmly
replied, that there was nothing he would not
yield out OF regard for his wite-except prin-
ciple
The story got abroad in the city, and the
noble sentiments OF the baron were warmly
applauded by the mammals, who, looking at
their daughters, remarked, that if Monsieur
Frederic would take the trouble to open his
eyes, he might easily find consolation for the
loss of Mademoselle Wihelmne.
Frederic would not be consoled and the
house of Baron Lobenstein, never very CAV,
became duller than ever. The father and son
met and bowed, without exchanging a word
The baroness could only sigh and sympathize
The faces OF the servants reflected the gravity
of their superors
There was one exception, however-that of
Monsieur Jean, the chef de cuisine, who SEEM
ed rather amused than saddened at this state
of affairs, and one day surprised Frederic by
an offer to get his fathers consent to the match
Tor the promise OF thirty thousand forms.
Lovers are like drowning men in catching at
straws, and Frederic readily gave the promise
Jean had never heard the story of Achilles
but he was of opinion that every man had
vulnerable point; and he thought he knew
that OF his master, The baron was a qou7nand
of the most tastidious sort. He could no more
tolerate defect in Il dish than in reputation
Jean had lived with him some time, and knew
how to spice and season exactly to his masters
taste, who often congratulated himself that his
cook was the younger of the two, and he
should be likely to have his services as long
as lie should need them.
The willy Jean was quite aware of his own
value, and laid his plans accordingly only
stipulatng that the baron should dine alone
The next day the baroness and Frederic found
preteXt for absenting themselves and when
the baron seated himself at the table Jean
who would trust to no other the care of serving
him on this OCCASION set before him a dish of
quas au SdLpicon
Thanks, JEAN thanks" said the baron,
"here is something to console one for being
alone l ana much obliged to you for your
attention"
81 thought could not take leave of mon
seigneur in more suitable manner than by
giving him for the last time his favorite dish"
"What do you mean Do you intend to
quit my service z"
81 am very sorry that am obliged to ask
monseigneur's permission to leave him."
"But what is the matter? Are you not
satisfied with the treatment you have re-
ceived %
Entirely SO. l have nothing to ask for my
self"
"Ah see you have n brother or a cou-
sin who wants some situation. Tell me what
it is. | will take care of him."
"Monseigneur has been very kind to all my
family There is not one of them unprovded
for"
Jean meanwhile had filled his masters
plate, and the aroma ascending to his nestrls
began to influence thv oliactory nerves.
u never smelt anything equal to the per-
fume OF this rdgom. And you wish to leave
mel he continued, looking at Jean reproach.
fully. "1el me the reason at once, and will
find means to remove the difficulty"
'Monseigneur, should never have the au-
dacity to explain the reason. You would turn
me out of doors for such impertnence."
81 promise you that no harm shall happen
to YOU / only insist that You shall sneak
openly"
81 beg you to excuse me, monseigneur.-
What have do with the family affairs of the
great Baron Lobensteiu? 1t is impertinent in
a servant even to know whether monsieur.
his son, is TO marry according to his inclina-
ton or not"