Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-01-17

Gay 10 tne play. Ana you, Maria !!
4 should not be so difficult: enough
to pay my debt to the Ogresse, some
money to support me until l could find
work, and a nice little room, where
| could see the trees when | worked.
and plenty of flowers in your win
dow?'
'Oh! certainly. To dwell in the
country if I could, and that is ALL
"A small room for work is a necessi-
ty; but when one has only to wish,
one can allow some superhuities.-
Have you never wished for carriages,
diamonds, fine dresses p
'Oh no | never have had any such
wishes-to be free, live in the country,
and to be sure [ should not die in a
hospital Oh this last-above all,
not to de there. All! Monsieur Ro-
dolphe, this thought often comes to
met is frightful 2 Alas we poor
folks. It's not on account of misery
that say this; but after-when one
is dead
well do you know what is done
with you after death, Monsieur Ro-
dolphe 2 No There was a young
girl that [ knew in prison-she died
at the hospital, and they gave her body
to the surgeons, whispered the young
girl, shuddering. 'Oh! this is horri-
blel And have you often had such
gloomy thoughts, poor child?'
1T astonishes you, does it not, Mon
sieur Rodolphe that | should feel any
shame? ? for after my death-Alas
my God! it is all they have left me.
These sad and bitter words affected
RodOlphe; he concealed his face in
his hands, and thought of the fatality
which h a d pressed on Maria; he
thought Of the mother of the poor crea-
ture-her mOther-was she rich, hap
py, perhaps honored?'
HOnored-rich-happy; and her
child, whom she had doubtless sacri-
feed to shame, had left the hovel OF
La ChOuette for the prison, the prison
for the den of the OgreSse; and from
! this she might 90 to die in a hospital
and after death 1t was frightful
Maria, seeing the gloomy air of her
companion, said to him, sorrowfuIly
Pardon me, Monsieur Rodolphe;
ought not to have such ideas. You
take me with you to make me joyful
and yet | am always telling you Sucf
sad, sad things-so sad! Nv God
do not know how it happens; it is
in spite of myself | have never beer
happier than to-day, yet the tears are
constantly coming to my eyes. Yor
don't like it. Monsieur Rodolphe? be
sides, you see, this sadness goes away
as it comes-very quick. Now see
already think no more about it.
VIII Ue observation-disclosures, Monsieur
RodOlphe, look at my eyes
And Maria, after having shut he,
eyes two or three times, to chase ava,
a rebel tear, opened them wide, ant
looked at Rodolphe with charming
naivete. Maria, | beg you not to re
strain yourself. Be gay if you wis
to be gay-sorrowful if you wish t
be sorrowful. My God! | who speal
to YOU sometimes have gloom.
, thoughts Ishould indeed be very III
happy to feign a joy | do not feel.
Truly, Monsieur RodOlphe, are yo
sad sometimes
: Without doubt; the future appear
no clearer for me than for you.
1 have no father nor mother; were | t
fall sick tomorrow, how should | live
1 | spend that which | gain as fast as
o it is earned.
You are wrong, do you see, yer
), wrong Monsieur Rodclphe, said Mari;
e in tone of grave remOnstrance, whic
e made Rodolphe smile; iyou ought t
|. put something in the Savings Bank
d for all my troubles came from nc
e econOmizing my money. With tw
l. hundred francs before him, workma
would never be an expense to any on
y never embarrassed; and it is otte
d these embarrassments which give yo
bad counsels.' All this is very wis
1t very sensible, my little monitress.-
e But two hundred francs how is or
to earn two hundred francs?'
lie 'Oh! Monsieur Rodolphe, it is yer
simple; let US reckon little; yo
II shall see. You gain sometimes fly
francs a day?' Yes, when [ work
W But you must work every day.
Are you to be pitied ? such fine wol
lie as yours-fan painter; why it oug
to to be a pleasure. Come, you are n
10 reasonable, Monsieur Rodolphe,' a
ded Maria, in a solemn manner.
pc workman ought to live, nay can liv
e, very well on three francs; then "
ut would have two francs left-at Il
of end Of every month sixty-sixty fran
10 a month-quite an amountF
ur Yes; but it is so agreeable to wa
tn about, to do nothing!
Oh Monsieur Rodolphe, once more, y
TO have no more reason than a chill
9; We'll | will be reasonable, you lit
ou scold; you have given me some nj
~ ideas. | never thought of it.
ou Trulyp cried the young girl, cls
'n- ping her hands with joy; 'if you OF
er- knew how happy you make mel Y
NJ will then, econ omize the two francs
day, surely?' Come, will do
said Rodolphe smiling in spite of hi
or self.
You'll see how proud you'll be
Oh your first savings; and, besides, t
de- is not all; if you promise you v
a. not be angry
lid DO | look as if could be angr.
re, No, certainly not; but | do
nat know if | ought to-
-ou You ought to say everything to
lid Maria.