Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-19
MISCELLANEOUS.
A French Romance.

About month ago young man, salesman
in one OF the leading houses in Paris, saw q
young lady enter, to whom during the past
eight or ten days, he had sold humber of
dresses, shawls, gloves, &c. BY her accent
he surmsed that she must be n New York
lady. The stranger was very pretty, and ma
turally the young man was agreeable and
attentive. Whenever she visited the store
she always addressed herselfto him, and while
examining the articles he placed before her,
talked much. The day We speak of she was
far less communicative than usual, and after
having made a somewhat hurried selection
she said to the clerk:
Il shall be at the hotel in one hour; here
is the address. BE kind enough to accom-
pany the porter when he brings those articles. 4"
With these words she bowed reseryedIy.
and hastily left the store
The young man was at a loss what to think
However, an hour later he entered the apart
ment of the American lady, who invited him
SdnS tdcOn like an acquaintance of long stand
ing, to lunch with her. Although thinking
his customer S manners somewhat strange. the
clerk accepted. While partaking of tea and
cakes, the young lady somewhat abruptly ad-
dressed her guest, saying:
''Sir, are you brave enough to protect a
woman against any insult to which she might
be subjected? Answer me with truth and
candOr."
Without cOnceit, say yes, answered the
young man.
every we'll. You work in order to make
money. Is it not SO ?"
Certainly"
This is what wish to propose. am
alone, or almost alone, in the world; my for
tune or my actions concern no one but nv
self; 1 wished to see the exhibition and know
Paris. But perceive that there is nothing
more difficult than for a woman to be in your
country without protector. You please me,
aud, if you do not object, you shall be my
champion. l will repay you for. your lost
time" .....
The young man tried to speak, but she inn
mediately resumed
81 insist on TemuneratinS you 4; this is
strictly matter of business; regard it in
that light. Accept or decline. Which shall
it be 2"
81 accept" answered the clerk, after mo-
ment's hesitation.
II am satisfied" continued the stranger,
''that you are gentleman, and will not make
yourself ridiculous by making love and fat
tering ME, for l warn you that the very first
compliment you pay me ends our coutract.-
Is it agreed Z"
Madam, aim at your service"
"FrOm to morrow"
"From this momentl require only time
to write to my employers"
And the terms of this extraordinary COM
pact we're entered into by the latter.
The clerk was charming; he proved him
selfintelligent, attractive delicate, without all
that small talk men generally delight to infict
on women. In fact, the American lady was
truly delighted with the choice she made.
Two weeks ago she handed the aniable clerk
n heavy roll Of bills, and they separated, mu.
tually pleased with each other
But it happened thatas the lady was about
to embaak for England, thence to embark for
America, a commissioner hastencd towards
her and inquired if she was Miss Y. Upon
answering in the affirmative he placed a small
box and letter in her hand. The box con-
tained diamond set, the letter few words
only, but SO well chosen to express true affec-
tion that the young lady started, not for Lon
don, but back to Paris. 1t is needless to saw
that the letter was from the young clerk, who
had taken this method of returning the money
forced upon him by the young lady for ser
vices rendered. Gle had not given her his
address, thinking the matter was ended. !
He was not likely to have returned to his
former employer. Ultimately she learned he
had taken in another house a situation far in
feIior to one he had formerly occupied. Pro.
baby till then she was undecided as to her
course '4or'when she heard this, her mind was
made up She wrote he came at once.
They will be married soon