The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1862-04-30
STORY OF A PARAS0L.
BY ANNE t. WILBUR.

We are in saloon of the Faubourg
St. Honore. The most exquisite taste
French taste-reigns there. One thing
only seems to be wanting: air, that vital
element. 1t has been forgotten that
breath is more necessary than food. Now,
how can one breathe here? How many
hangings, carpets, how much drapery on
the tables, over the fire-places9 Even
the fire is curtained. Count those at this
window: large and small, silk and mus
lin, there are nine. Add the weight of
these rich ornaments, the membranes of
masterpieces of art, and you will see that
one is here literally stifed. Ask these
poor pale flowers in the sumptuous jar
diniereS, how much better would breath
of air and sunshine please them than all
the canoes and gildings with which their
cage is ornamented9 In company with
these imprisoned flowers, how many young
girls stihe thus pleasantly in the charm
ING confinement of their boudoirs! These
flowers, at least, are frequently renewed +;
but human life, if it have not its allow
anco of oxygen, by degrees becomes ex-
tinct.
Two ladies, mother and daughter, are
seated in this saloon; the one holds a
book which she is not reading-the other
looks at embroidery which she is not en-
broidering. The ewes of the young moth
er, radiant with tenderness, are fixed on
the fair girl. This maternal look seems
to say" How charming she Isl" And
this look tells the truth. The young girl
is seventeen; her large black eyes are
brilliant and soft; her hair, black as the
ravens wing, forms superb crown on her
small head; her teeth seem necklace Of
pearls which has mistaken its place; her
figure, to elegance Of form, adds the at
traction of ease. Emeline is the grand
daughter of a Creole beauty, and every
thing about her betokens futile and ca
pricious nature.
A servant appears at the door of the
saloon. He bears q delicious rosewood
box, incrusted with shell and mother-of
pearl. This box contains the wedding
presents offered to Emeline by her betroth
ed, Armand Yarnes, who, scarcely thirty
years, is already distinguished as an en-
gineer. The richest stuffs, shawls, jewels
and purse full of gold-nothing is want
ing to the treasure. Nevertheless, Eme'
line seems to be looking for something
more. Armand appears; he comes, al
ready an egotist, to enjoy the pleasure he
has given. But his pretty Jfdncee has re-
sumed her embroidery, and her needle
seems very active. Armand thinks he
reads, on this brow Of seventeen, regret
He hoped for joy-great joy; he is unea
sy, interrogates, insists.
"Have | omitted anything? If the
colors, the materials are not to your taste
they shall be changed"
"No, sir; all is well, but"
"WeIlp
"Well, / hoped to have found here I
parasol."
Armand breathes--he rises and take
his hat.
at is only slight OMISSION" said he
(which shall be repaired Immediately.
"Sir, would inform you that desir
q parasol of the Alencon lace"
"Alencon it shall be, then," said Ar
mand, repeating the word that he nigh
not forget it.
Sir, l would also inform you that
do not like limitations, and would prefe
one of carved ivory, green"
Armand, already at the door, stops
and, distrusting his memory, draws out
memorandum book, and writes: "Alen
con lace; no imitation; carved ivory
green"
Then he disappears. He enters th
store Of a celebrated manufacturer O
canes and umbrellas; he takes out hi
memorandum book, repeats the directions
and adds, Z" wish fine, very prett,
parasol."
"That is easy, sir" said the manufaC
, turer; "you shall have it."
"Whenw said Armand; al am yer
urgent"
alt will take at least week to man