The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-07-24
(Continued.)

(Continued.)
81 reccollcct there was hsberdasher from
Philadelphia, who carried with him little
fairy mariners compass, which he expected
would tremble every time he should place it
upon a golden deposit.
The brave haberdasher asked for this the
trifing sum of a million dollars.
"Ouc evening Bcnoit said to me:
"sI am anxious to make some little money
here upon the boat; / hope Monsieur will
not object
"sIf your means Of doing 80 are honest |
answered.
"Benoit sworc to me by all the gods that
he looked with horror upon any trite which
was dishonest.
CATER this observed that he had much
to do with the steward room and the kitchen.
He bought from the employees of the Office
all the empty bottles. My cabin was soon
encountered with them. When asked him
what he was going to do with all these, he
answered, with smile:
II have told Monsieur that I desired to
make little money here upon the boat
Monsieur will sec.'
Il could see after this that my sertant iu-
spired certain interest upon the boat
Two or three times l heard the passengers
whisper among themselves, the gcntlcmans
valet has a way, an infallible way !"
II remained, sometimes till late at night,
seated against the gunwale, contemplating
the great river, where our steamer seemed to
glide like n gigantic sledge upon the ice.-
When the passengers had retired, one after
another, and silence reisned upon the deck,
where remained only the crew and the steers
man, Benoit would often creep out of the
hatchway and come out to breathe the fresh
air. On such occasions he would employ
himself in singular manner. would sec
him carry large basket to the triangular
platform which is behind the wheel. He
would take one by one, certain objects from
the basket, and plunge them into the river
with the aid Of a string. This done, he would
take up his basket again, which seemed, much
heavier, and regain the little recess where he
slept, near my cabin.
| Monsieur he said to me one morning,
while dressing me; I beg you to excuse the
liberty which am taking. Will you do me
| favor?"
| "'WThat and how |?
sYou have some sealing-wax. have some
bottles. l wish to preserve their contents
from contact with the air, which is always
| injurious to volatile matter
"This scientific explanation saved me the
trouble Of asking hin, why had found Ger
tain traces Of oil upon the leaves Of my book
of chemistry
II gave him, amidst many thanks, the half
/ Of my sealing wax It was the night before
the day when we were to land from the boat.
"The day following, after we had debark-
ed with our horses, Benoit appeared very gay
and cheerful After an hours riding IN the
direction Of the southwest, we lost sight OF
the Missouri. The idea occurred to me to ask
Benoit what he had done with all his bottles.
"sMsnsieur thinks, correctly, that did
not dream Of bringing them with me, an
swered he.
".It was great deal of trouble, then to
seal them with 20 much carev
"Bcnoit drew from his pocket leather
purse somewhat stuffed with pieces OF gold
| He had within it seven or eight hundred
dollars.
4 "Here is the price of my bottles, said he
with triumph.
"'What had you in those bottles, Bcnoit !!
"sMonsieur Knows well--becausc he has
seen me gil them up behind the wheel with
the water from the river
.And have you sold for four thousand
francs the water from the Missouri!
1 Benoit put on grave look
"sThey we're scaled, he answered soiemnly
- 4 IL II Il,
che manner Of u4ing it. Pour some OF tim
water upon the ground. The morning Of thu
next day, if the soil is gold producing, there
j win DO little spangles Of gold upon the sur
face. There will be nothing to show, added
he without smiling, that this method is MOI
an excellent one :"
a ale is an invaluable one, your Beaoit,
cried the marchisness.
s.Charming ! charming y murnured all tn
others
The marchioness added, turning towars
her neighbour
1.-THE yiscount is good raconteur .
s.Inialitable, madame
think = concludedth the marchioness, 1'tha
my daughter will be very happy.
How can it be otherwise, said old Con
: eral O'Brien, bowling and smiling, with
man who relates his adventures 20 well q
! "Wicked man. answered the marchioness
Then they all kept silent, to let the ster
proceed, and NJ do Vil!iers went on:
q I'VE were IN the prairie. Thegroat Amer
: can romance writer has told you OF all thos
immense plains Of the New World. hay
nothing Is tell you Of our equestrian travel
80 ..,--< oknSn1 fs,i ,,c nv the Sn1l