New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1861-09-30
a French story.

Lefort was man some forty years old, With an
income OF fifteen thousand francs, fond OF pic
lures, and painting landscapes himself in very
remarkable manner. He lived in Rue de Prov
ence, in an apartment in the third story, where he
was often visited By his friend Decamps, the dis
tingushed painter who has recently died in Paris,
who was very fond of I4efort, 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 Laftte and the Hotel Rothschitd.
One day, LefoFt arrived at the cafe with long
face and an air OF great dissatisfaction.
" What is the matter?n said Decamps.
The matter is, | am wretched at having to
move from our apartment"
- Are you going to leave it?"
"Yes, my landlord wanted to raise my rent.
resisted--he insisted. grew angry, and gave up
the rooms. I am wretched now You were SO
fond Of these rooms" l.
''Ah, WELL take back your lease"
"Iou are right, will take it back"
The next day Iefort had still the long face, and
the greved air OF the previous day He had wished
to resume this lease. But it was too late. The
apartment was let for a term of nine years.
Lefort must move in the month of October. His
| landlord informed him, however, in an obliglng
manner, that the person who was to succeed him
would not arrive from the country until the middle
of November, and that he had all that time to seek
| an apartment to suit him; only Lefort must leave
empty part of the suit of rooms to store the fur
| nture of his successor. Lefort consented to Tbs
joyfuly, and the furniture Of the new tenant was
brought in
| Meantime Decamps, who saw him still SO s9r-
rowtul having to quit his rooms, said to him one
| day:
"There is perhaps some way to arrange with
| your new SUCCESSOR
| II do not know him; and don't wish to try tc
| make a bargain"
"Show me his furniture" said Decamps, 'and
can guess what sort of man he isl
Letort conducted Decamps into the rooms where
| the furniture of the ne " tenant was placed
| "Hun, hum,H said Decamps, on casting his eye
| over the articles: "all this is simple, comfortable
| in good taste, furniture for an income of twenty
| thousand francs, lately removed 1t is the righ
sort of man rather it is woman; here is wo
mans furniture, this toilet, this wash-table, thi
| book stand of inlaid work.
| But the husband ~
al don't see any husband in the matter: NJ
masculine furniture-a single bed, no bureau; W,
| only want to know if she is widow, young girl
| an old maid.'
Chow shall we find out that?"
He opened the toilet table. There was smal
comb, to which was attached two magnifcen
hairs Of golden blonde.
"Good; this hair does not belong to an old wo
man; let us look further.h He perceived por
trait turned against the wall. He turned the can
vas. 1t was the portrait of a woman, blonde, YER
pretty, painted in 1925, by Horsent,
1t is the portrait of the lady," said Decamps
" It is the portrait of married woman; the dres
indicates it. This woman was about twenty whe
it was painted She must be still very pretty. Sh
is an intelligent woman, loving art, judge, by tn
selection ofthe books in this library, by the musi
on the piano. Ny friend, you will not quit you
apartment"
al must ask this lady to give it up TO me then
"No, you must ask her to share it with you
You must marry her.
"You are mad; you are laughing at me-"
"1speak very seriously. Your furniture seem
made to go with that of the lady. The suite c
rooms is too large for one of you alone; it is e2
actly what is wanted for you two.'
" But don't wish to marry
s You are wrong You are forty years old; th
lady suits you in every respect. She pleases me
this woman, and wish you to marry her. Let nj
} manage"
Lefort gave him leave. When the lady cam
from the country she was surprised to find he
. rooms occupied and her furniture doubled DE-
, camps awaited her. He showed the lady the room
, arranged by himself and the portrait Of Lefol
hung up opposite her own.
"See, madame" said he, % what wonderful ha
+ mony between these articles Of furniture. Sc
how well the portrait matches your own. 1t
, certainly the portrait of the man who should
t your husband"
5 The lady was sensible and kind. She was II
, angry, and laughed heartily, and as he was an j
, telligent man, disti1tgue, very good fellow, wi
+ a suitable fortune, he was accepted. He marie
y the widow and did not leave the rooms.
g He never left them until last year at the dea
;. of his wife whom he adored, and whom he re
d dered happy till the last moment. Decamps I
y NAMED their friend, and both, whenever they 50
him, thanked him for having made the marria
| of their furniture.