Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-11-28
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THE Il snOEMAKER'S. DAUGHTER. 4 II
BY H.. GARDINER.


'H91s nn '"BY H. GARDINER aai lp
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The Rue st. Honore, in Paris, is one
of the longest streets in the world. 1t
is the Oxford street of the capital of
France, and has more shops and houses
than even the Boulevards, tii"'' t'.2
At no great distance from the Palais
Royal, and between it and the Church
of the Oratoire, was, during the Reign
of Terror, small shoemaker shop
1t was kept by German dry, droll,
man, who, during those
times of revolution and alarm, when he
roic France, attacked by the whole civ
ilized world, was apparently perishing
in deaththroes. expiring in agonies,
which were, however, to save, to raise.
to glorify it paid little attention to
anything save his business and his
pretty little daughter. o''t3 2'tas'"
M. Leopold Mayer was selfish man
"a very selfish man. So that boot
making prospered, he did not care for
anything else. If the country were at
tackled on all sides, foreign armies in
every frontier, he little cared. The only
inconvenience he did care about was the
taxes that was unpleasant but, other
wise, public affairs were nothing to him.
There are hundreds of such men every
where; men whose native town might
be desolated by the plague, and who yet
would be happy if. they remained un-
touched -unhurt. -''H ~
leopold Mayer had a daughter
very pretty girl, about twelve years
old, with rosy cheeks, laughing eyes,
warm, expansive heart, and character
the very opposite of her father. She
was as generous as he was selfish; as
keen in her sympathies for the world as
he was for his own private business
she had corner in her heart for every
one.> Her mother had been like her,
having sacrificed every consideration. to
that of pleasing her husband, who
would not be pleased-of making happy
a man who would not behappy.a gsd
Mr.. Leopold Mayer did a very good
business; and, it was said, had a great
deal of money somewhere; but nobody
knew where. ~. a ls t4ta st't .t
Katerina Mayer sat in her fathers
shop and took the money; but, having
plenty of leisure, she read, during the
intervals of business, such books as she
could find in a neighboring circulating
library. German in her nature, with a
warm, but somewhat contemplative
character, she devoured history, philos
ophy, poetry and the drama; but she
had her favorite author, too, and that
was the author of "Lives of Plutarch."
Of an evening she would read out to
her father while he smoked bis pipe, to
which-lihe Germans and Dutchmen-
he was great deyotee.. Very often
they were Joined by a young officer,
lodger, who had not long been removed
from military school to commission in
the army, but who was, asyet unattach-
ed. Paul Leblond was young man
who had profted by his education; and
better guide for the girl could not have
been found. OF course he was a Repub-
lican; all young men, not emigres, were,
in those days; and the contagion spread;
for ga more audacious little sans 'culotte
than was Katerina," would old Mayer
say, "never stepped in shoe-leather."
The Reign of Terror very nearly shock
ed her; but she had good sense enough
not to confound the bold crimes of Dan
ton, or the atrocities of Marat, with the
principles of the true friends of freedom.
Paul Leblond and Katerina Mayer were
the very best of friends. The young
girl, so early mistress of a house, and
SO precious in her studies, played the
little woman, which made the man of
twenty laugh and declare that, were he
not poor devil of an officer, with no
other fortune save his sword, he would
carry her before the Mayor and marry
her at once; at which Katerina laughed,
and bid him go and win the epauIettes
of general first, and then she might
listen to him. But the idea of young
adventurer, without penny, talking of
marrying the heiress of the richest
shoemaker in Paris, was terribly audac-
ious. And Paul called her an aristo-
crat; they laughed, and the matter end
ed. ~. +rr.-=.
About three months after the young
man received his commission, he en-
tered the shop of Citizen Mayer in
company with brother officer. Kateri-
ma was at the counter. Citizen Mayer
was overlooking his young men.
"Well, little wife," said Paul, smil-
ing. -r .sai f.a4..l rrts.sr
"Mr. Saucy, pray who are you talk
ing tol' replied Katerlna, looking hard
at him and his friend, pale, dry and
thoughtful looking youth. F .sia
"To you citoyenme," continued Paul /;
81 have come to bid you adieu. We
are ordered off to the army this very
day. Here, dear Katerina, is your
fathers account, which being paid, /
have to ask favor of you. "
"What is that e. said Katerina, with
tremulous voice. .
"The fact is, Katerina, we have. our
bills paid, not one penny left. We have
our uniforms complete; but we want a
pair of boots each. We are in the army
of the Sambre-e ct Meuse, to which the
Government, having heard their demand
for shoes and stockings, said, The Re-
public has many thanks for you, but no
shoes and stockings a--aG .t
"Poor Paul !" said Katerina, turning
her head toward the dark end of the
shop. "Citizen papa" 4 s.ts.s. %.
"What is it ?" asked Citizen Mayer,
advancing to his daughter.
"Why, papa, here is Paul going away;
and here is the money he owes you; and
the poor dear young man wants pair
of boots for himself and friend on credit
until the end of the campaign"
Exactly. papa Mayer and you, as
good citizen-
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