The Portland daily press., 1864-04-26
SELECTIONS.
From the French of Emile souyestre.
The Little Glass Of brandy.


In order TO go from one village TO another,
had taken one of those covered carts, which,
upon the more unfrequented roads of Au-
pergne, are made to take the place of mail
coaches, transporting alike merchandise and
travellers. The vehicle was drawn by a sim
gle horse-a PAGER; the road was rough; the
seats OF the cart were made of single board;
so that lost my patience when half way on
the road, and left my seat in the cart, TO walk,
with the driver, on foot.
The cartman was still young, Of PROPOSES
sing appearance, and his countenance revealed
that robust and joyful health which is the re-
ward OF good conscience. AT all the ham
lets where we stopped, saw him give and re-
ceiye messages, and heard not single COM
plaint from those with whom he had business.
II he returned more than one piece of change
they took 1t always without counting 1t; the
women inquired after his children; the men
charged him with purchases in the market
town; 10 word, the conduct OF every one
showed friendship and confidence.
As well as was able to judge by our con-
versation along the road, he seemed to me to
merit this trust All his words expressed un-
derstanding, and a kind consideration for
others to which the feverish emulation of our
cities had made me a stranger. He knew the
improvements that were in progress in the
country named the owner OF each field that
the unpromising condition OF its crop. | soon
learned that he had himself several acres Of
land that he cultivated between his Journeys,
and for the sake of which he profted by all
the observations gathered upon the road
He told me the story of his "domain," as he
laughingly called it, with intelligent good
humor.
l was listening TO the recital Of his attempts
TO transform corner Of heath into meadow,
whqn Wa ms naf han
clothed, and with gray locks falling In disor-
der over his pimpled face. At the moment of
passing US, noticed that he tottered. He sa-
luted the wagner with the noisy cordiality
ofdrunkenness, and the latter answered in a
tone of kind familiarity which surprised me.
Zone OF your friends % | asked, when he
had passed.
That man9" he repeated. "He is my beae-
factor and my master"
looked at him as If unable 10 understand
him.
That surprises your replied he, laughing.
at Is, however, the truth only the unfortu-
nate man has never mistrusted II. In the
first place, must tell you that Jean Picou,
that's his name,l Jean Picou is an old COM
panion Of my childhood. Our parents lived
side by side, and we had our first communion
the same year. But Picou was, even then, a
little wild and coming of age, he soon adopt
ed all the habits OF dssipated man. At
first did not keep company with him; bnt
at last fate brought us together as workmen
under the same man. The first day, at the
moment going to work, behold Jean Picon
and the Others stopping at the public house
10 get mornings drink OF brandy remained
at the door, hardly knowing what | ought to
do; but they all called to me-
30, he's afraid he shall be ruined.. cried
Picou, mockingy. "By saving a couple OF
sous he expects to become millionairer"
The others laughed, which made me
ashamed and entered and drank with them
Then, proceeding TO the field, and beginning
my work, my thoughts ran upon what Picou
had said.
"The price OF a single mornings glass, was,
in fact, but little; but, repeated each day, ii
would amount in time to thirty-six francs, ten
sous. set about calculating what | could
do with that sum.
"rhirty-six francs, ten sous ~ said to nv
self. THAT is, for man with a family, one
room In the house, which means convenience
for the wife, health for the children, and good
humor for the husband. 1t is wood for the
winter, or the means TOR having sunshine in
doors when there is only snow without. 1t is
is the price OF goat, the milk Of which is es-
sential TO the welfare of a family. Ii is the
means of paying Cor school where the boy
learns to read and write"
iucus flcHihS tic chuJcCt III Aguty
| added, "Thirty-six francs, ten sous Our
neighbor Pierre does not pay more for the
rent Of the two acres Of land which he culti-
Yates and which sustains his family. 1t is
Just the interest OF the sum which | should
have TO borrow in order to buy the horse and
cart which the town commissioner wishes TO
sell With this money, spent each morning
10 the detriment of my health, | can procure
an estate, bring up family, and lay by the
savings necessary for my declining years.
These calculations and reflections decided
my future. l conquered the false shame which
had made me yield TO the solicitations of Pic
ou; saved from my earnings what they would
have had me spend at the public house; and
soon was able TO go TO market as well as
the wagner whom / have now succeeded.
Since then l have always continued To cal
culate each expense, and to neglect no econo-
my; while Picou persevered, in his turn, in
living what he calls "a merry life.n You see
where we have both been led The tatters
of the poor man, his premature old age, the
contempt of honest men; and my comfort.
health, good reputation, all came from the
formation of single habit.
His history is the little glass of brandy with
which he begins the day : while my ioys are
the two SOUS saved each Morning