The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-08-28
L. WEDNESDAY, MORNING; AUGUST 2S 1867

sss..sa
served as an enclosure to IL plot Of ground
planted with ugly trees. H8 I'd,
His only companion was large lean dog.
Mohican-so the dog was called always
furnished prowled around the garden at night,
and was worth ten men as guard.
| Three times week NJ. Benoit invited hinl
to dine; that is to say, he walked with him
around the slaughter-house of Montmartre
Without this Diohican would have long since
| died. m ata 3
NJ Benoit employed his leisure time in
various occupations. He asa painter, joiner,
stoye-makcr, locksmith tiler, etc lie had
the reputation of being very rich His neigh
bors said that he did all this work merely to
amuse himself
lie did not visit anybody, and his dog Mo
hican bit everybody.
This morning NJ. Benoit rose at 5 O clock,
as was his custom. He was as early riser
as be was laborious His little taIlow candle,
twelve to the pound, lit his chamber. Mohi-
can was asleep at his feet before the cinders
of the fire.
1t was little after the time when George
Leslie and the Viseount Henri had parted mean
the telegraphic station The wind had, for
some minutes, been shaking the rotten frame
work Of the house, and scattering all around
large fakes Of snow.
II. Benoit's work, for the evening before,
laid upon his table. Itconsisted ofplacards
which read :. 81 IL sa..i sgJl. -.5s
"a LoUER-TO BE LET
s:Sundry appointments furnished and I'M
furnished, in the celebrated villa Of Bel Air,
situated in the quarter. DIontmartre, Rue St.
Denis, ,No.--..f Prices moderate, service OPP
tional, fine view, Address N. Benoit Lyon,
proprietor A doctor is connected with the
Establishment. Prospect Of the ill Of Mont
morency.D lfS'4ee4e 'as gro a5is't'i
NJ Bcnoit's own English Of this was 4a
Is; Various apartments, furnished Or no, in
the park of the celebrated villa Of Bel-Air,
seated into Montmartrc, Saint Denis street,
No., at temperate prices. Servants On de-
mand-splendia prospect. 7'it ii.'0 ''a
eve may speak to. Mr.. Denot Lyon, pro-
prictor. Private physician. You may have
view by the Montmorency hill"
In travelling one learns foreign languages.
NJ. Benoit counted muck upon his placards to
attract English tourists, who are almost as
fond Of the country and Of cottages as the
French themselves. i4.,.s<
We do not know what idea the reader has
formed Of this man, after the narrative Of
the Viscount de Villiers, who had the honor
to possess him as a servant and a travelling
companion. He may have been forty years
old. His frame was short and well knit
His mouth had that mixed xpression-that
:rire jaime" Of those Parasians whose faith
ers came from Normandy. His grizzly hair
was thick and cut short. He would have
been big little man. of sufficiently pleasing
appearance, but for the treacherous look which
appeared under the enormous tufts of his
eyebrows.
He wore one Of those gray jackets which
are the uniform of wine-merchants. Near
him, on the table, an open register showed
some columns Of figures. a little pot Of soup
was warming before the fire.
"bIohican is lazy" thought he. 'That dog
| cares for nothing but eating and sleeping |
must find out how much some wolf traps will
cost .N
II will never leave this place." he contin-
uea, leaning his head upon his hand. eff
one deposits his little hoard Of money there
is danger Of losing it by bankruptcy or revo-
luton Besides, one then has it not with
him, and cannot count it morning and even
ing. What ayais good little hoard Of
money, without the power OF counting 1t !!
But then there is the reverse Of the medal
The gold which one keeps for the purpose of
fondiing it, produces nothing It is the most
costly OF all Injuries. People invent all sorts
Of stupid things, butthey have not yet found
the means to make money increase in a vault .
M. Benoit was not one Of those avaricious
men Of the old style, who carry the passion
to extremes. He cheerfully INDUCED when
alone, and showed an amicable gayety in those
intimate conversation with himself which
were his delight.
"Bah ,' he resumed, II had rather be able
to see my little hoard. It is foolish, but it is
my taste. [ foresee an increase of rents for
the next year"
The large lean dog; to whom Benoit had
given the name Of Mohican, in recollection
CT his voyages and adventures, raised his
head at this moment and opened his sleepy
eyes.
.'Ah, we'll, sluggard, said Bcnoit, "what
is it astonishes you You hear step in the
street. There is six o'clock striking, old fel-
| low"
Mohican raised himself upon his feet and
stretched himself. Then he put his nose to
the floor and gave dull howl.
Benoit grew pale
Some one struck rudely against the door,
He ran to his table, where there were two
pistols, and concealed them in his pockets
At the same time he seized his gun, which
was resting against the wall.
| The door was struck a second time, and
| very forclbly Benoit drew one Of his PTS
tolls. His hand trembled.
This man had often braved death. But
the intrepid soldier, who looks death in the
face on the field of battle, becomes suddenly
tinid when he finds himself the only protec-
tor of his mother OF his affianced. Benoit
had neither mother nor affianced-but he
had not deposited his money.
ai5enoit! Benoit" cried a voice from with
out, wake up. open"
The dog Mohican put his tail between his
legs, and then laid down quietly. The mus
clc5 Of Benoit's face relaxed.
Meantime he yet hesitated, and looked at
tentively at Nohican. BIohican raised his
cars and beat the floor with his tail.
"What the devil does he come here to Go