The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1863-12-11
HOW LEFoRT COT HIS WIFE.

Lefort was q man some forty years old, with
an income of fifteen thousand francs, fond OF
pictures and painting landscapes himself in a
very remarkable manner. He lived in Rue dc
Province, in an apartment in the third story,
where he was often visited iy 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 be-
fore an open window which overlooked the vast
gardens Of the Hotel Laftte and the Hotel
Rothschild. Eli si
One day, Lefort arrived at the cafe with a
long face and an air of great dissatisfaction
"What is the matter?'' said Decamps.
"The matter is, that am wretched at hav.
Ing to move from our apartment" .a
"Are you going TO leave it p ,w68
Yes, my landlord wanted to raise my rent
/ resisted-he insisted. grew angry and gave
up the rooms. | am wretched now.
You were SO fond of those rooms"
"Ah well, take back your lease.p ~
"You are tight; ] will take it back"
The next day Lefort had still the long face
and the gricved air of the previous day. He
had wished to resume bis lease but it was too
late. The apartment was let for term of nine
years.
Lcfort must move by the last of October
His landlord informed him, however, in an o.
b!lging manner, that the person who was to
succeed him would not arrive from the country
| till the middle of November, and that he had
all that time to seek an apartment 10 sui. him;
only Lefort must leave empty part of the suit
of rooms 20 store the furniture of his successor.
of. faI To ,vf,, IL
turc of the new tenant was brought in. Mean
time Decamps, who saw him still 50 sorrowtul
at having TO quit his rooms, said to him one
day: ~ y
"There is, perhaps, some way to arrange with
years new successor"
81 do not know him, aud don't wish to try
to make bargain" '''"
"Show me his furniture" said Decamps and
can guess what sort OF a man lie is rf
Lefort conducted Decamps into the room
where the furniture Of the new tenant was
placed.
s'Hum, hum" said Dccam;os, on casting his
eyes over the articles, all this is simple comfor-
table, in good tasie--furniture for an income
of twenty thousand francs; lately removed
1t is the right sort of q man, or rather it is
woman here is a womans furniture-this toll
ct, this wash table, this book stand of inlaid
work.
'I}ut the husband?' r,vr.
81 don't see any husband in 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 out that7' $3.50.
He opened the toilette table. There was a
shell comb, to Which was attached two magnifs
icent hairs Of golden blond.
Good this hair does not belong to m Old
woman let us look farther" He perceived a
portrait turned against the wall.--iIe turned
ihe canvass. II was the portrait OF woman
blond, very pretty, painted in lS25 by Hor-
sent.
1t is the portrait of the lady" said Dccamps.
at is the portrait of married woman: the
dress indicates it. This woman was about
twenty when it WAS painted.-She must be still
very pretty. She is an intelligent woman--loy-
ing art, Judge, by the selection of books in This
Gbrary, by the music on the piano. My friend,
YOU will rot quit Your apartment"
81 must ask this lady to give it up to me,
then" st "a
"No, YOU must ask her to share it with you;
you must marry her. ..tl ,-,
"You are mad you are laughing at me-"
''I speak very seriously. Your furniture
seems made to 90 with that Of the lady. The
suite Of rooms is too large for one Of you aone'
IT is exactly what is wanted for you two.' -
''But don't wish to marry"
seYou are wrong You are forty years old'
this lady suits you in every respect-She pleas
es me, this woman and wish you to marry
her. Let me manage" f7e
IIeforl gave him leave. When the lady canc
from the country, she was surprised to find her
rooms occupied and her furniture doubled
Decamps awaited her. He showed the lady tho
rooms arranged by himself and tho portrait of
Lefort hung oppsite her own. sa.i 7"
"Scc madam" said he, "what wonderful
harmony between those articles of furniture.--!
Sec how well the portrait matches your own.T1'
tits 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
a sensible man, distmgu, very good fellows
with suitable fortune, he was accepted He
married the widow and did not leave the rooms.
He never left them ill last year, at the. death
Of his wife, whom he adored and whom he rem
lered happy till the last moment Decamlsre-'
mained their friend, and both, whenever they,
saw him, thanked him, for having made tho mar
rage of their furniture. et..,f,,n,
-----------------
"A WHOLE NAaER."- a recent negro ceI''
,traton, an Irishman stood listening to Fred.'
Douglas, who was expatating upon Govern
ncnt and Freedom, and as the orator cano to
i. period from the highest political heightsg shs
[rishman said: 5g q s1F D9ls csc ~
s'Bedad, he spakes well for a nager."le ss-
"Don't YOU know" said one, sstaat he isn'tA
legro2 he is only half negro"
t.Only half nager, is hc7 Well, if half
,arcr can talk in that style, I'm thinking .
whole pager might beat the prophet JereulAhso