Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-09-28
SELECTED STORIES.
A PHOTOGRAPH FROM LIFE.

of Monsieur BOrnO, by "A letter from the
married daughter, Madame ATtOis, who
resided IN Rome, I'm which she infOi m
ell her parents that a suitOr for her Sis
ter Elise would soon appear at Vile
fieurs. And she further told them that
this Monsieur A. William, a Young man
of good birth and with "A comfortable
fortune, had been struck with a pho
tOeFaph IN shop WisdOw-sO struck
and charmed that he felt lie must try
every means to win the original for his
wife. This photograph turned out to
be one of her young sister that she had
sent to be copied; and seeing that the
Young man was IN earnest. she had pro-
missed TO write and Introduce him as an
unexceptIOnable pdTti. Madame ArtOls
wound up by reminding her father that
Elise was no longer girl, and that, III
fact, it wOuld be very foolish not TO ac-
cept this bit of good fortune.
It was therefore agreed, IN family
cOnclave, the fair Elise consenting, and
with the due approval of the family
friend, M. de Belandi, that the coming
guest should be graciOusly received. M.
de Belandi even insisted ON having him
IN his own house, as he laughingly said,
If this M. A. de VILLAIN was worthy Of
the prize he sought
Among the numerous and various
visitors tO the beautiful southern city,
Villetieurs, with its gridle of mountains
and blue waves, few wOuld help remark
ing, in the gay crowd on the promenade
or IN the public gardens, a girl almost
always accompanied by favOrite dog,
whose elegant and quiet toilette, as well
as her graceful walk and the piquant
expression of her face, always made one
wish TO look again. 1t was On attract
i've face rather than decidedly beauti-
ful; generally wearing thoughtful look
which, however, was often frightened
by a smile which prettily curled her
lips. There was quiet elegance about
her altogether different from the fash
iOnable ladies, English. French, Ger
man or Russian, who r. sted on the chairs
or paced up and down. Generally might
be seen at her side Monsieur de Belapdi,
a man whose keen, dark eyes seemed 70
take note of everything, but were often
on his fair companion with the tender,
familiar interest OF privileged friend.
nj. de Belandh was rich, and, having no
particular occupation, he made himself
usetul to hls friends IN general, but to
those OF the Maison BOrnO in particular.
Thither he brought all the news of the
place to amuse nj. BOrno, who was too
old and intirm to go out. He could tell
of the least offence given to the old in
habitants of VIllefleurs by the new
French corners, OF. the latest reform in
town regulations. He cOnld say what
was the prospect of the olive and grape
crops, &c. He was always ready 10 es-
cOTt Mdlle. Elise to the theatre. or to
try a new song with her. He was a con-
venient partner at a ball. or Q patient
companion for a mornings shopping
Moreover, M. de BelandTs taste was a
prOverb. All this made his visits to
the old MaisOn Pantneuf very welcome,
and with him seemed to come little
watt from the outer world to the very
retired sOmbre street In which many of
the old NliIeheurs aristOcracy resided,
Withdrawn from the newer part of the
town tn which visitors resorted. To
look at 1t from the outside, ore would
not imagine the quaint, rich carvings
which adorned to walls, or the broad
marble steps and handsome suit of
rooms which belonged to this house.
In the simple aud quiet manner COM
mon TO the old inhabitants of the place,
the principal amusement aud luxury
were to retire, now and then TO the
maison de campagne, where lived the
BornOs with their youngest child, two
other daughters having married saris-
factOFily. Nor were the old couple very
eager for her TO follow her sisters ex-
ample, IN spite of the hints of their ac-
quaintances, and Nj. de Belandi's seri
GUS warning, given every now and then,
THAT it was really high time to marry
her. Such an agreeable, amiable. gem
tie grill It was pity, and very aston
ishing. ALI her contemporaries were
married. or about to be so; and Elise
was nearly 27r' AT this the old father
would look troubled, and, Struggling
his shoulders, ask what his friend would
have. Could he do more? Had there
not been two or three eligible propose Il?
But the girl had refused them all. Elise
was dutiful and the light of their old
days; and 1T was surely not their duty
to force her into matrimony, If she
evidently preferred TO remain as she
was.
10 this nj. de Belandi said nothing.
but looked relieved; for his visits TO the
Maison POntneuf would have been very
different without Elise. But on hear
ing the letter of Madame Artois, sneak
ing so highly OF the young man, and
even appealing to himself to use his in-
fuence IN favor of the match, he threw
himself calamity into the spirit of the
adventure, and took care to be at the
diligence Office to receive and welcome
M. A. de VILLAIN, whose firstkvisit TO the
Maison POntneuf was paid In his com
pany, his easy, genial manners aud real
kindness helping to put every one at
ease, and to draw out the somewhat ner-
vOus and agitated lover.
When IL was over, they all agreed
that not one word too much lad been
said IN his praise. His manner was all
that could be desired, his appearance
pleasing; while it was evident that he
was very much In love. On the other
hand, NJ. A. de VILLAIN poured out to
his kind host his delight and satisfac-
ton. There was no disappointment,
Elise was better than her picture; and
each time he saw her he found some
new attraction. Truly she was one OF
those women who bear a close inspec-
tiOn, and whose beauty unfolds gradu-
ally; woman who can brighten a home
as well as ball room.