The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1861-06-12
A Moving Story.

Lefort was man of some forty years cid,
with an income of fifteen thousand francs,
fond Of. picture es, and painted landscapes
himself in very remarkable manner He
lived in Rue de Province, in an apartment in
the third story, where he was often visited
by his friend, Decamps, the distinguished
painter who has recently died in Paris, who
was very fond of Lefort and Of sitting to talk
in his rooms. They passed long evenings in
chatting and smoking together before an
open window, which overlooked the vast
gardens of the Hotel Lafitte and the Hotel
Rothschild
One day Lefort arrived at the cafe with
long face and an arr of great dissatisfac.
| tion.
"What is the matter s'l said DecaHps.
"The matter is, am wretched at having
to remove from my apartment"
"Are you going to- oleave it?'
"Yes my landlord wanted to raise my rent.
I resisted-he insisted. grew angry, and
gave up the rooms. am wretchel now
You were so fond of these rooms"
".Ah, well, take back your lease,
"You are right, will take it back"
The next day Lefort had still the long
face and the grieved air of the previous day.
He had wished to resume his lease But it
was too late. The apartment was let FOR a
term of nine years. "'
Lefort must move in the month Of Octo-
Der. His landlord informed him, however, in
an obliging manner, that the person who
was to succeed him would not arrive from
the country till the middle ofNovember, and
that he had all chat time. to seek an apart
ment to suit him; only Lefort must leave
empty part Of the suit of rooms to store the
furniture of his successor. Lefort consented
to this joyfllly, and the furniture ofthe new
tenant was brought in.
Meatime Dcamps, who saw him still so
sorrowful at having TO quit his rooms, said
to him one day
"There is perhaps some way to arrange
with your successor.
"I don't know him; and don't wish to try
to make bargain
"Show me his furniture" said Decamps,
"and can tell what sort of man he is
Lefort conducted Decamps into the room
where the furniture of the new tenant was
placed.
"Hum, hum" said Decamps, casting his
eyes oyer the article; call this is simple,
comfortable, in good taste, furniture for an
income of twenty thousand francs, lately
removed. 1t is the right sort of a manor
rather it is of woman, here is a wom,an's
furniture, this toilet box, this wash table,
this book stand ofinlaid work"
"Rut the husband"
81 don't see any husband ir the matter
no masculine furniture, single bed, no
bureau; we only want to know if she is a
widow, a young girl or an old maid.'.
'How shall we find that out"
He opened the toilet table. There was a
shell comb, to which was attached two mag
nifcent hairs OF golden blond.
"Good,', this hair does not belong to an
old woman; let US look farther. He perceiv-
ed potrait turned against the wall. He
turned the canvass. 1t was the potrait of
W omen blond and very pretty, painted in
1925 iY Horsent.
"It is the potrait ofthe lady," said De-
camps, SIT is the portrait of Il married wo-
man; the dress indicates it. This woman
was about twenty when it was painted. She
must be still very pretty. She is an intelli
gent woman, loving art, Judge by the sell
ection ofthe books in this library, and by
the music on the piano. My friend you will
not quit your apartment"
81 must ask this lady to give it to me,
then.
"No. you must ask her to share it with
yo1. You must marry her."
"You are mad, you are laughing at me-"
81 speak very seriously. Your furniture
seems to have been made to go with that Of
the lady. The suit Of rooms is to large for
one of you alone; it is exactly what is wan
ted for you two."
"But don't wish to marry"
"You are wrong. You are forty years old;
this lady suits you in every respect. She
pleascs me, and wish you to marry her
Let me manage"
Lefort gave him leave When the lady
came from the country she was surprised to
find her rooms occupied and her furniture
doubled 3ecamrs awaited her. He showed
tho lady the rooms arranged By himself and
the portrait of Leport hung up opposite her
Fown.
"See, madam" said be, "what wonde, ful
harmony between these articles of furniture.
See how well the furniture matches yorr
own. It's certainly the portrait of the man
who should be your husband"
The lady was sensible and kind. She was
not angry, and laughed heartily, and as he
was an intelligent man 4istingue, very
good fellow, with suitable fortune, he wss
accepted. He married the widow and did
not leave the rooms.
i He never left them until last year at the
death ofhis wife whom he adored, and whom
he rendered happy till the last moment
Decamrs remained their friend. and beth
whenever they saw him. thanked him fol