Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-15

of the civil tribunals, the origin Of which is
connected with curious and romantic MS
tory. A Paris banker, Monsieur d. recently
purchased chateau, located in the ancient
rrovince of Normandy. Several apartments
of the building were hung with antique
tapestry, which had once been OF the rlchest
description, but in consequence OF long
NEGLECT. had become completely ruined. Last
fell the new proprietor determined to re-
plsce these worm eaten relics OF the past
with fresh hangings;. and, in removing mem,
Il YVES discovered that the panels beneath
contained upward of twenty magnificent
Ia'ntings, by the most celebrated masters.
Among the number were four portraits by |
Rubens. two rural scenes by Watteau,
Venus by Paul Veronese, aScriptural picture
Iy Correggio, and other works, from the
1encils of Titien, Lancret Van Dyck, &c,
The preceding proprietor who had solu the
chateau TO Mr.. b., hearing of this discovery.
row puts ina claim for the ownership OF |
these valuable works of art. lie pretends
that their existence changes entirely the
conditions of the sale, as the paintings are,
alone, worth more than the price received
for the domain and that, as he can not pe
made the victim of ignorance, they must be
o;yen nm TO him. 1t Is not probable thatthis
demand will be recognized by the tribunal,
for the principal reason that the pictures are
inserted in the walls, and the French Oode
provides that, in such cases, the emoellsh-
mgnts must be considered as forming an IN
tegral part of the building.
Mr.. b. has no fear OF being obliged to re-
SIGN his windfall into the hands OF this
claimant, who has certainly no better title
TO the pictures than himself. The chateau
came to its ex. owner by purchase, not IN
heritance, and it had previously belonged to
half dozen persons, in the course OF less
than hundred years. Mr.. D. was naturally
interested in ascertaining which OF his pre-
aA n
serted in the panels, and by what means they
had so long remained hidden beneath the old
tapestry as to have been entirely forgotten.
In order to clear up the mystery, the banker
set to work to obtain such documents as
might give history of the chateau, and lts
transitions during the last century. In his
researches, the different notarial acts by
which the sales had been legalized, deposited
in the archives of neighboring town, were
of the greatest assistance. After patiently
following this official source of information
through several decades, and availing him
self Of the antiquarian experience OF lit
erary friend, q complete historical train was
established by Mr.. D., which might furnish
ample foundation for the construction of a
novel, in which fiction need play but an &C
cessory part.
At the epoch of the Regency of the Duke
of Orleans, young man, by the name OF
Rene NORM, was employed as a clerk in q
NORM was handsome fellow, and great
fayorite among the grisettes of the capital
In those days of gallantry and intrigue there
9 Xisted famous eating g-house, called thu
Moulin-Vert, the ostensible resort of the
middlipg and lower orders, but really muct
frequented by people of the highest rank
who visited the place in disguise, sometimes
to seek an adventure, sometimes to concea
one.
Ona certain Sunday evening, young NORM
accompanied by pretty seamstress, entered
the Moulin-Vert and the two were costly
supping, in private cabinet, when, sud
denly, one of the thin panels which sepa'
rated them from the next room gave way
under the violent pressure, and the aston
ished couple found their. privacy unceremo-
niously invaded by two strangers, one avery
tall and powerfully-built man, the other q
young and delicate woman, whose coarse
earb only served to make manifest her air o
nobility, instead of masking it.
Monsieur" said the tall man, addressing
the clerk, 81 come to ask service at you
hands, and TO offer, in return, without know
ing you, great proof of confidence.
you would do so with even lts hesitation
if you knew me" replied NORM. pray
explain yourself"
IL have been discovered entering the
MouIir-YeIt, with this lady. Notice has
been given to jealous individual, who is
now waiting to pounce upon us, as we g
cut. wish to throw dust in the eyes o
the Argus in question, and | shall be able t
do so without the least difficulty or danger
il you will consent to a momentary chang
of companions"
To this singular proposition the clerk wa
about to return an indignant negative, wheT
the unknown fastened to add
"You have no occasion to be eithe
alarmed or offended. | give you my word 0
honor that you shall in no way be wronged
and /, too, will rely upon your loyalty, il
Temporarily confding this lady to your care
Time is precious. What is your answer2"s .
The clerk glanced at the disguised lady
who was very beautiful, and made no furthe
objection. The grisette, delighted at th
iGea Of lending assistance to lovers plo
accepted the tall mans arm, and the tw
went out together.
The majestic stranger was no other tina
the celebrated fnancier, Law, then at th
zenith OF his fame. The canny Scot desirou
of securing constant friend near the Regen
bad adopted the plan Of making love to tn
fair Marquise de Parabere, whose iniuenC
over her royal lover was all-potent- Bl
this intrigue was in danger Of running Law
instead Of contributing to his fortune. H
enemies had, by some means, penetrated Il
secret of his interviews with the beautif
Marchioness, and their plan TO destroy La
was matured, when they succeeded in trac
ing him TO the Moulin-Vert
Upon crossing the threshold, the Scote
man discovered the imminence of the pc
TO which he was exposed, but he was
from losing his presence OF mind. Wh
the spies FASTENED TO report TO the Regei
the scene with Norm and the grisette v
enacted. Before the enraged Duke, acco
panied by his familiars and parasites
rived on the spot, the grisette knew
pert, and proceeded TO play 1t perfec'
She wore dress of the same common g
stuff in which the Marchioness was cloth
and, in leaving the door of the Testauri
she feigned to adopt the most minute
caution toavoid recognition, turning as
her head, drawing the lace on her cap Q
her eyes, and covering the lower part OF
face with her handkerchief.
Law himself contributed his share 70
deceit. Upon catching sight of the Reg
I'll he pretended 10 be deeply confused /;
4ue hurried of, with his companion, at a rs
pace. The Regent ran after the retreat
Z q pair, as fast as he could but high living
90 not conducive To speedy lOeonlotion, and
ROuty Duke was likely to be dlstan
WheRhe stopped the progress OF the iugit
by bawlipg out-T-sHalt, there Monsieur L
II you please
- You here, Monseigneurl exclaimed
willy anancieF in great seeming aston
ment. "Whst may be the pleasure OF J
Royal Highness with me Z"