Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-08
Mlisfella,1p.
THE THREE NIGHT CATS.

The Chateau des Fees was large. old fash toned mansion, standing in the midst of beau tiful grounds in the fertile province of Norman dy. The house was built comparatively low with a noble porch supported on massive granite pillars be ore the front, and elegant figures round the para ct on the roof.a Had it not been for the thick walls and slightly con tracted windows, casual observer might sup pose it had been but lately erected, whereas it had existed tor several centuries having mute- ly witnessed from afar the cruel fate of the Maid of Orleans, and tn. kindly shelter to the nperious Margaret of Anjou with her noble boy.
 Tradition also relates that Francs was graciously pleased to select the grounds of the chateau for an open air festivity; but as the historians cf the time have omit ed to mention the fact, it is doubtful; it is quite certain, however that more appropriate place it would De difficult to find. The chateau itself is built on an eniinence. commanding lovely view from all sides and is surrounded by a tasty garden divided into lawns, flower beds, | terraces, and intricate winding paths which at last lose themselves in wood, through which flows stream generally shallow enough to be crossed by means of large stepping stones pla- ced ia it fo: the purpose. In times of heavy rain, the stream becomes swollen, and dashes | over the gray messy stones with a stormy vio- fence that seems to threaten destruction to the dropping ferms growing on either bank. My uncle, Monsieur Fr ncois de B., was the owner of castle at the time of which am writing the earlier part of the present century He had inherited it from his moth, r's brother but had until his uncle's death lived in Eng land with his parents, his father being an Eng lishman. With the estate, he also inherited a considerable sum of money, which was more than sufficient to keep up such an establish ment as the size of the house required. My uncle Cdstermineda Z therefore, to reside at the Chateau des Fees, delaring that the bright sun shine of France suited him better than the cold atmosphere of England. ss.
 It was secretly whispered that this sentiment implied more than it.expressed and it was as- serted that,a young English lady of grande fdmNe, had tilted him in earlier days, and that he had never recovered the shock. How far this assertion was true l have never been able to ascertain ;qbutit was evident that any afairt aa cteur had dnot had i'll effect on his kindly nature and disposition; for he was gentle and considerate to every one, and beloved by all | who knew him. He was bachelor, and for this reason had generally one of his nieces from England staying at the chateau to keep house for him, and prevent his growing "crabbed old man," as he Iaughingly expressed it. It is proyerbial that all old bachelors have peculiarities; and must own that in one in stance, my uncle was not exempt from this | sweeping rule. His peculiarity was certainly rather a curious one it was-this that he never went to bed without wearing three night | caps.
 l My uncle's night-caps were not all alike. The I first was made of scarlet flannel, (being warm color,) and had lapets attached to the end I which completely covered the ears, and were tied with @ string under the chin. The nex
 was thin elastic cotton cap, more, it would appear, for the purpose of keeping the other it it's place, than that of warmth, The third ane uppermost was in every sense the most impor- tant; to give an exact description of it would be matter of difficulty, as it appeared on diff ferent nights. At one time it would be of blacl velvet, at another of scarlet cloth braided tasti ly with gold braid, or embroidered with flower
 of many hues.
 | My uncle's partiality for handsome aigh,-cap was so well known, that many of his lad friends and nieces would make them for him
 and I have heard my uncle seriously declar that on his fftieth birthday he received no les than nineteen different night-caIs
 1 During the month of November, 1880, wa visiting my uncle at the Chateau des Fees was very disagreeable weather, but we manages
 to be very happy. Many of my tincle's friend were in the habit of spending few hours wit
 him in the evening which made the time pas
 pleasantly. One evening the cure of the paris
 and the village netaire had been spending
 lew hours at the house. It was dull, rain
 evening. and the wind blew in gusts. My ur
 cle did not like the idea of his two friends lea, I !pg nm n such weather; and, as they were Q sns poinI of starting, he drew them back an
 begged 'snsm to stay during the night. III