Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-27
this morning my penny's worth of
bread and milk.'1W tq TDW GgaI

81 lH6 cnLfduC6 VI y ucW-c0mcr lQbC
nj the tavern interrupted all converse
e ltion, and attracted all attention. He
e was a man of about middle age, strong
!, and robust, wearing q jacket and cap,
0 perfectly eonversant with the usages
] of the tapis-franc, and speaking in
Argot \ he demanded some sbpper.
3 Although this stranger was not q
. regular lounger at the tapis.franc, he
: now attracted no more attention, for
: he was known. To recognise these
, fellows, robbers, like honest men, rare
ly fail.
i The newcomer placed himself in
such aposition that he might observe
, the two men of whom we have spoken; !;
he scarcely took his eyes from of them |;
but they were so placed, that they
could not see that they were watched.
! Notwithstanding his audacity, the
Chourineur showed much Difference
i to Rodolphe, and not daring to tmoyer
I address him familiarity. This man
had no respect for the laws, but he
respected physical strength. aOn the
faith of man, he said, although you
have made me dance, yet am glad
have met you Because you find the
harlequin to your taste p In the
first place; and then scorch to see
you handle the Maitre d'Ecole; he
has always rinsed me, and / want to
see him washed in return; oh, that
will do me good
'Ah, ah do you think I am going
to jump on the Maitre d'Ecole like a
bulldog, just to amuse you p mo, but
he will jump on you as soon as he hears
that you are stronger than he, answer
ed the Chourineur, rubbing his hands.
Il have money enough left to give him
his change, said Rodolphe, carelessly;
but what horrid weather; suppose
we have some brandy and sugar; per-
haps it will make La Goualeuse find
her voice. Agreed, said the Chouri-
neur; and to become acquainted,
we'll just say who we are added
Rodolphe.
White Hair, nicknamed the Chouri-
neur, liberated galley-slave, workman
among t he floating woods at the
Quai SAINT Paul-frozen during the
winter, roasted in summer-behold
my character, said the guest of Ro-
dolphe, making the military salute
with his left hand. And you, my
master, this is the first time / have
seen you in the cite. | don't mean to
reproach you, but you have entered
marching on my scull and beating the
drum on my hide. Thunder and
lightning, what music above all, those
last touches, just as you finished. l
can't help thinking about it / guess
you tried to excel. But have you no
other trade but that of rinsing the
Chourineur.
4 am painter of fans, and am
called Rodolphe.'
Painter Of fans ah that is the
reason your hands are so white said
the Chourineur. But never mind, if
all you workmen are like you, it ap-
pears thatyour trade requires great
deal of strength. But since you are
workman, and an honest one doubt
not, why do you come to a tapis-franc
where you will only meet thieves and
robbers, or a liberated galley-slave
like me, who cannot go anywhere
else 2
Il come here because like good
society,"
Hum hum ? cried the Chourineur,
shaking his head with an air of doubt.
4 found youin the alley of Bras Rouge;
enough-suficient. You say you do
not know him p m
4 wonder if you are going to talk
to me any more of your Bras-Rouge
whom the devil confound, that is, if
his majesty pleases.
Hold, master; you are little sus-
picious of me, and you are not wrong;
but if you wish. I'll tell you my histo-
ry, ON condition that you will teach
me to strike those blows which made
me smell birthstone.
4 consent, Chourineur; you shall
tell me your story, and then La Gou-
aleuse shall tell hers.
agreed, answered the Chourineur.
The weather is too bad even to put
a constable out of doors-that will
amuse us. Are you agreed, La Gou-
'Oh, yes, but it will not take long,
said Fleur de Marie. 'And you will
tell yours, comrade Rodolphe p ad-
ded the Chourineur. Yes, I'll begin
Rodolphe. Painter Of
fans 7 said La Goualeuse; 1T is nice
trade sAnd how much do you gain
at such bre k-back calling as
that 2 said the ChouriDeur. I'll be-
gin my story answered Rodolphe.-
My best days work brings me in four
francs, sometimes five, during the long
days of summer @ o baG Zia
And do you stroll about much2'
Yes, as long as l have money. In
The first place | pay six sous for my
oed.
Pardon me, my lord-you pay six
sous for your lodgingr said the Chou
rineur, touching his cap.
This word-my lord-ironically
lsed by the bandit, caused Rodolphe
% smile imperceptibly. He continu-
I'd: 'Oh, like to be comfortable and
leat.' Here's peer of France, a
banker, a millionaire, cried the Chou
'ineur; 'he lodgesfor six sous sAd-
led to that said Ropolphe, -four sous
or tobacco, that is ten; four sous
or breakfast, fourteen; fifteen for
Inner, one or two for brandy, makes
lbout thirty sous day. / have no
iced to work all the day, the rest of
he time / frolic.' ao gaimm
tAnd your familvT said La Goua-