Worcester daily spy., 1861-11-11
l0lOrtestet Daily Spp.
THE GRANDMoTHERs ARM CHAIR,


breakfast
The weather was splendid, so he went ont
and enstalled himself at one of the tables
placed under group Of pines which filled
the air with their breezy murmur, and their
subtle aroma
"What can you give me for breakfast Mad
anne Bernard g. he demanded, as he took his
seat under the trees.
"You know what gave you last uight 90
returned that parsonage.
"You gave me the leg of goose, stewed
with cabbage !"
"Well for a change, can give you some
cabbage stewed with the leg of goose |
have nothing else in the house" Aud 50 say.
ing she returned to the house to prepare the
promised viands for her guest.
"Queer country this" unused the artist, as
he followed the play of light on the spiky tufts
OF the pines, "where people have nothing to
eat but legs of goose stewed with cabbage,
any where, to gain trife more money, they
make travellers pass the night in arm chairs,
by the side of sleeping grandmothers OF nine
ty. must be crazy to have thought of COM
ing to Labouheyre to see a group of pines
when there are just as good ones in the Bois
de Boulogne. l will stop here to night, as
that venerable relic of antiquity has left her
bed at my disposition, but tomorrow | shall
retrace my steps toward civilized regions"
Here Fritzs mOnOlOgue was cut short by the
appearance of young girl the most perfect
realization of the ideal of rustic leauty that
had ever greeted the artists eyes In one hand
she carried the savory preparation that appear
ed to constitute the main stay OF Dame Ber-
nard's cOmmssariat, and in The other pile of
plates and napkins which she placed upon the
table, but without daring to look at the STR n.
ger, who, On his side, regarded her with as
much amazement rs admiration.
"ls it possible. mademoiselle, that shall be
so fortunate as to have my breakfast brought
to me by so lovely person as yourself" 2" de-
manded the artist, almost unconsciously think
ing aloud, a. soon as his astonishment permit
ted him TO regain the use OF his tongue.
She smiled and blushed at the young mans
compliment but made no reply
"Do you belong to the house, mademoise-
lie 2" he inquired, after waiting in vain for an
answer to his former question, while the girl
continued to place the crockery in order on the
table before him.
eyes monsieur, she answered, still without
raising her eyes to his face.
"Are you the daughter of Madame Ber-
nard 2"
"No, am her niece. l have neither father
nor mother" she added with a sigh
Il wonder ii your name is as pretty as your
face g. continued the artist, with a maxure of
galanry and respect in his manner that SEEM
ed both to amuse and reassure the country
beauty.
81 am called Madeline, she answered, with
another smile.
81 was sure you would have pretty name"
cried the artist gayly. You are very busy
j ust now but pray what do you do here all
day long 2"
so, | am always very busy" she answered
quickly. - am at work from morning until
night"
"Work at what 2''
81 knit, | mend the linen, and then prac-
tice
MAY | ask what you practice g
"rhe piano. have been at school in Mont
de Mersan, and am enough OF musician
now, to 90 on practicing by myself"
"You are no doubt the reignng belle of this
part of the country" said the artist 81 would
lay a wager that all the young men for miles
around are at your feet Unless, indeed, you
have some cousin who drives them away in
order to keep the coast clear for himself"
The rustic beauty laughed outright at this
speech Of the irquisitive stranger
81 have but one cousin, she presently an
swered. "He is rosin dealer, and lives at
Brrlos, He comes to visit us once year."
she continued demurely. Il have seen him
four times since l came back from Mont de
Mersan."
"But | am sure he must have fallen in love
with his pretty cousin the first time he saw
her" said Fritz
mo" replied Madeline, with a smile, for
the persistence OF the handsome young stran-
ger greatly amused her, and his manner was
SO friendly and kind, that she was fast losing
her shyness with him "no, do not think he
did, al least he did not tell me So"
"And the second time 2"
"The second time he t2ld me he had just
sold fifteen hundred francs worth OF rosn,
she answered grsvely."
"And then---?"
"That was ALL"
"But the third time %
"lle spoke of five hundred sheep he wanted
to buy"
"And the fourth time Z" pursued the inquis-
itor who seemed to take grea, interest in tile
inquiry.
40, the fourth time he told me he wanted
five hundred more sheep, and that he must
marry in order to buy them with his wite's
dot"
"Ah what charming cousin" exclaimed
the artist in tone Of vexation.
"But he is not at all charming, / assure,
you" returned the little beauty, shaking her
head gravely "and he is not young, either.
Excuse me, monsieur" she added, " hear
my aunt calling for me-" and so saying she
ran quickly into the house.
Fritz remained for few minutes lost in
deep thought A new and strange emotion
seemed to have taken possession of him and
he quite forgot his determination to quit La
bonheyre on the morrow. Rousing himself at
length from his reverie, he attacked the viands
set before him, aud having finished his break
fast, took his sketching portfolio, and saunter
ed away to take a look ut the neighborhood
Perhaps it was the uninteresting character of
the landscape that caused him to pass an idle
morning certain it is, that, although his
sketch book was under his arm, he did moth
ing whatever with his pencil during his wan
dering. But he came back punctually to
Dame Bernardo cottage at the hour of dinner
"Well, Mr.. Painter!' demanded The dame
as he made his appearance, "have you done
anything to day 2"
'I have taken walk, replied the artist
''But you have not made a picture ?''
mo. Madame Bernard have not made
any picture this morning! none in my sketch
book, at any rate" added the artist, mentally.
'But you can draw folks likenesses 70 de.
maded the dame.
81 can draw folks likenesses, Madame Ber.
nard," replied the artist, smilug.
docs it scost very dear-a fine likeness,
down to the waist, with the hands, and some
rings, and a nice large brooch 2"
"That depends on the person. Is it your
own likeness you now wish for, Madame Ber'
nard :"
80, dear, no! | am too old to 90 to such an
expense. But l should not be sorry to have
the likeness of my niece, little Madeline, you
know, who carried you your breakfast this
morning"
Fritz felt his heart give slight bound al
these words