New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1860-06-06
THE NUN WIFE /:

THE NUN WIFE. 7-s
From the Philadelphia Sunday Mercury j
In handsome saloon in the Rue de Saints Peres,
one day last spring, were assembled fine looking
old gentleman, lady of fifty, man of from thirty
five to forty, and young woman, reclining on a
couch, evidently in delicate health. These four
persons were Monsieur de Maubert, half pay col
onel and bachelor, Madam de Lacy, the young
woman's mother, and Monsieur d. Hercilby, hus-
band Of the young lady.
Fresnes, a handsome man. still young, entered,
and was received with friendly familiarity. sS
I" Colonel Y said the delicate lady, you could
not have arrived more apropos. We are endeav-
oring to arrange difficult question, on which
opinions are divided, and want your arbitration.
1t is about the choice of name for my newborn
babe: my mother and l wish TO have him christened
Paul. after his father. Monsieur de Maubert and
my husband oppose that wish by crowd of spe-
cious reasonings, a wish which they say is only
founded on an old custom, or motive of senti-
ment which does not recompense Tor the embar-
easements which may arise out OF similitude of
names. What do you think of it, OF advise ~
II think, madam, that these gentlemen are quite
correct in their views, and that sometimes it Is
most unfortunate to have namesake !"
SIN proof Of which," replied Monsieur de Mau.
bert THAT If that unfortunate De Serrieres had
not had one, he would have avoided the annoy
ances which befel him when he left Baden in q
hurry to take possession of his title, when an arti-
Gle in the Moniteu' announced the elevation to the
another person. though he bore his name and title,
and probably my friend had the right to prece-
dence, but lost it owing to nanlesake."
THAT" replied Madame -d'HercilbY, sis not
quite applicable to the case in question, finding o
namesake in stranger might have unpleasant re-
suits, which could not happen between father and
son."
sPardon me, madam replied Monsieur de
Fresnes, .and whilst apologizng for my egotism,
will, at the same time, quote my own example,
"Yours All! let us hear it, Colonel ~
ain 1885, my regiment was in garrison at Nismes
Having only left the military school of 50. Cyr
three years before, I was but an ensign. When
arrived, was billeted with rich proprietor Of
the name of Monsieur de Mount, who received me
more like an old acquaintance than stranger; he
was kind enough to invite me to proiong my stay
For some days took advantage of his offer, which
| brought me into communication with his family
which was composed OF his mother-ln. law and fou
children, the eldest of whom was much older thai
| the others, being nearly twenty years of age
| MademoiselIe Cecile Mount was one of those per
| sons who please SO much, and found myself at
tracted towards her from the first; the gentleness
and amiablity of her temper, and o crowd OF good
qualities which remarked in her in the course oil
the daily acquaintance attached me to her, not by
a violent affection, but by tender and kindly sen
timent far more pleasing and lasting, and every
day she appeared more agreeable TO me every
day confirmed me in the idea that, il married, il
| would be only with her. A year, happy year
| passed away in that calm and serene happiness
which makes pleasant enjoyment obliterate thought
| of the future. Having received my promotion tc
| the rank of lieutenant, with an order to accom-
pany my regiment to Africa, / resolved before
leaving to tell Cecile that loved her, and discover
the feelings of her family, as well as her own
about the union, which was Indispensable to the
| happiness of my life. Cecile's answer was If hei
parents consented she was willing; her father re
piled, That he saw nothing to prevent this mar
rage little later; go and gain iaurels,' he said
you are now very young and my daughter has
time to wait; when You are captain we will talk
al left without being able to obtain anything
more positive. During two years absence ! only
received the replies from Ceciles father to letters
addressed him they were friendly, but ne IN r.
| anxious for my advancement. as loved her daily
| more and more, and longed for the moment when
| should have the right to claim her. An expe
| dtion at last in which was engaged, and wherein
| / was fortunate enough to distinguish myself, OBJ
! tanned for me the rank Of captain, and serlou:
| wound. In the midst Of my sufferings, rocked
| myself to repose with the happy thoughts that q!
| Mount. Without doubt, Gecile had seen an &C
count in the papers of the affair in which ha'
| been engaged, and she would be nneaay. wa
| most anxious to reassure her lived ana only 10
herself. These ideas occupied me during my pam
/ full return to Algiers, where found letter iron
| my father, of which nearly the following was
| copy: o.a... ,,,,
wound, and proud Of the noble condncI WHICH i, IN
made you my equal in military rank. GOOD nlooo
never lies' and felt convinced. when starring yot
in this career, that you would make your way non
/ orably to the end for, II have stepped on hs
y has been because t tie oPpofan my q da
| by going through ones exercise on parade, or u
teaching recruits their goose step IN garrison
1 where alone have been. But what could ! 90
i That il mt nv greatest care. 1t had only mysel
! should be but little troubled. But am father
and nv unucky star has written 1t, that IN iosint
| gentle and good companion, should remaii
| alone with the responsibility which that nam
brings If / had only you with me- my son,
should not be so much embarrassed. am pron'
4 of acknowledging this but it is not SO as regard
your sister, good and amiabie as she IS. AT ne
| age now am incompetent to be her sole mentor
| therefore, after having balanced all things,
thought il my duty to decide upon remaining
Circumstances, too long to detail here, nav
| brought me into connection with the famity
Mademoisele Cecile de Mount, Of N,smes, no,
4 residing in Paris. ] have met with all the qual
! ties could desire in this lady. aud have bee
4 accepted When you receive this letter We mo'
| probably shall be married; the wedding ~,
4 which for double motive will be without pom
Il is fixed for the sixteenth of this month. n
4 4And we were then in the early days Of the II
lowing month ] could read no more. ! felt rs
q cold dagger had pierced my heart him 90
cred my sight and / tainted. weakened by my
ness and this fearful blow. with the crushed lett
in my hand. In vain said to myself that oecl
had betrayed me, and was unworthy my rsgre
The idea that she was my step.mother made n
frantic. Another should have answered .s 70 y
misery-bgt my father was poweraassss III. TSa.
but Iswore never to see his face again. a, NY,
torments prolonged my illness; Z was snoag'
, only that q return to France could enect . cure
3 g III {.5at PART II. y
i aThe voyage was most painful 70 me, an y .s
II ;a 80, ~ m; worse than when left; and ID pas
ing through Nsmes Which was r aaus
n ,snoo more was 0nfGeu tu SUPP, tnA AasAa1 -
Dc | onu . .ian MAJ re opened my wound. ss
III thought Of returning 70 my old lodging
.amsd 10 me thatI shonld die there, where hi
lived and hoped lor SO much happaneasrnow ia
: fnreyer-but 1t was not vacant. MT finding y
!. necessary attentions amongst strangers. ! mat
o. them take me to the hospital ..
:. II had been there seyerai weeks. When 7