Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-07-29
PATIENT WALTERS NO LOSERS.

q collection of labOrcrs' cottages blilt on the
outskirts o, p forest amid vineyards and or
chards. The morning sun was illumina atiDg
the little square covered with bold sparreHs
who we're disputing for the seeds scattered in
the dust the matrOns, in their morning wrap
peTs, were gong from house 70 house for COR
yersstioE and the provisions Of the morning
The docTs o. the little shops established here
and there were seen to open in succession, and
the merchants we're suspending before their
windows the goods designed to attract custom
eTs.
One of them had already put everything in
order, and standing at his door, was looking at
his less diligent ueighbOrs
This vas a yOCng merchant with prompt
mOyem-a: 81 lively mi=n, whose sign bers
this word III giided capitals
GROCERIES -
The grocer (Since we must call him by his
name,) had oaiy been established in the vii
lsge short time. This was evident by the
neTDesS Of the merchandise exposed, the splen-
dor Of the shutter, recently painted in ara
besque, and the immaculate cleanness of the
counter. So be scarcely exchanged saluta-
tiOrs with the passers-by and no one stopped
to inquire, as was the custom, how he had
passed the night.
Ar;stides Giraud (this was the name Of our
young meTchant,) had perhaps resolved net to
render sn account 10 his neighbors of his
health and bis sleep, but he resigned himself
with more difficulty to the solitude of his shop
Leaning against the frame of the door of en-
trance, he was casting an impatient glance
over the square, and saw everybody pass his
shop without stopping. As, tired Of waiting
he was about TO rc-enter. a hand hastily seized
him by the arm; he turned, and recognized q
former fellow apprentice, whom he had lost
sight of several years.
Alexander Crepin wore one of those costumes
common to fellows of the second class: beaver
hat negliZently indented, a crayat with a
Haunting knot, scanty coat adorned with gi-
gantic buttons, full pantalOOns falling in spiral
form over CATERS ofstriped drilling. Although
there had never been any particular intimacy
beween himself and Giraud, the latter, whom
his isolation had prepared for unreserve, re-
ceived him with open arms. He compelled him
to enter the back shop, while the boy whom he
had for his assistant assumed his place at the
counter.
"Well," ," said Crepin to him, when they were
seated, $50 you are established my old friend
ID to the satisfaction of everybody il seems
I. ne; for have just traversed your six streets;
and ysur shop is the finest in the place"
Because IL is the only one, F" replied Giraud
''Tsen ycu shOul! iud the mines Of Peru in
it.
- an afraid shall find it the way to the
almsbouse >
I" How sou
For the reason that sell nothing. Though
ny sign has been out more than a month, my
merchandise is still here"
On the contrary they consume mush; we
haze hotel, restaurants, and coffee houses
n5s 70 speak Uf private dwellings; but every
body has been accustomed to buy groceries in
Pm
.'Gou should offer them your services"
Do you think L have not thought of it
They have replied that they have laid in pro-
visions, that they would see by and by. Here,
you see, we take time to do things-we wish to
know people; L must wait till the seed be-
comes an apple tree"
:" Aud that does not suit you-you who are
accustomed to do everything by steam," said
Crepin, laughing. remember that when
we were with Father Devilliers, you wished to
arrive before you had set out. Apropos, 1 hope
Father Deviiliers patrOsizes you"
II depended upon him, at least after the
offers OF service he had made me- replied
Giraud, somewhat bitterly. At the time of es-
tablishing myself, went TO Havrc, to consult
NJ. Deyilliers, who repeated his promises
ThereupOn / came here, sure that his house
would advance me goods; butt Is now month
since l wrote him to ask for credit and have
received no reply. 1t appears that on rehec-
ton, my old master had not thought best to
assist me-"
AS usual ~ said Crepin, lighting a cigar.
"prOmises are like feasts at the theatre; at the
distance think we see stuffed chickens and
lark pies, and when we approach, it is only
painted pastebOard. But be frank, brother,
it was not alone the promises of Father Devil
liers which decided you 10 settle in this neigh
bOrhOOd. If my memory serves nae, you were
acquainted with a family here, which was
adorned with sn agreeable young lady whom
you desired to unite with your establishment
Madenoissile GarrOt?"
/" Yes, Rnsslie Carrot, upon whom you made
acrostics, In the tiOwery days of our youth.
Well, does your plan still hold out? Is the
bridal trousseau preparing! Are the cards of
invitation being printed"
ASK the family, since you are acquainted
with them" replied Giraud, hastily; "as for
me, l cannot tell you"
"Why so, my SOM"
Because / have neither been refused nor
accepted, and they have asked time to decide. +"
Crepin laughed.
Decidedly, lay poor comrade, you are here
on probation" exclaimed he; q happiness
credit, fortune, are all postponed. Low can
you endure those adjournments-you who for
.merly wished the morrow to arrive Yesterday"
How" repeated Giraud, 'do you not see?
l am desPerste-I an gnawing my heart and
brain; am like ST. Lawrence on his gridiron,
without being able to induce my tormentors to
turn me. 30 my patience is nearly exhausted
and some one Of these days will send the
grocery after the old Moors"-
All sh." said Crepin, looking at him. syou
have got as far as that then? Well if you do
not indeed intend to make paper bags and
weigh out brown sugar, 1 have an offer TO
make you"
WHAT" asked Giraud his eyes sparkling
Simply TO seek fortune on a car which
goes by steam, instead OF q cart drawn by
snsils. But it would take too long to explain
the matter fasting; let US commence by break
fast; you shall know all between the outlet and
the coffee"
The young grocer sent to a neighboring res
taurant for the necessary provisions and seated
himself at the table with Crepin, who, after
having conscientiousy satisfied his appetite
communicated his project.
Disguised with the trial of several employ
ments in which he had eaten up the best part
OF his pstrimOny, the former grocer appren-
tice had just joined one of those California com
Psnies formed for the search Of gold. A COM
pany OF emigrants was to start in few days
for San Francisco, with an engineer, laborers,
aud all the necessary apparatus for digging in
the golden sands. According to the most mod
crate calculations, each was to make q fortune
IN three years.
Crepin, who knew his Californian romance
b. heart, related to Giraud all he had read or
Rtard. Besides the harvest Of gold. which had
70 la Oafba ral hu ha nado fun L..