The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1868-06-27
A French Rom amcc.

IuaH III one OF the leaQlng nOuseS III
IS, saw a young lady enter, to whom, d
}. ring the past eight or ten days, he hi
sold number Of dresses, shawls, glove
etc. By her accent he surmised tn
- she might be a New York lady. III
stranger was very pretty, and natural
D the young man made himself 1agreeab
and attentive. Whenever she visite
t the store she always addressed herself
him, and while examining the articles h
placed before her, talked much. Th
day we speak of she was far less comm,
nicative than usual; and after hayin
made somewhat hurried selection, sh
said to the clerk
II shall be at the hotel in one hour
here is the address. Be kind enough t.
accompany the porter when he bring
those articles"
With these words she bowed reserv
edly, and hastily lett the store.
The young man was at loss what Il
think. However an hour later he enter
ed the apartment OF the American lady
who invited him, sans tacom, like an ac
quaintance of long standing, to luncl
with her. Although thinking bis Gus
toner's manners somewhat strange the
clerk accepted. While partaking of tea
and cakes, the young lady somewhat ab'
rubtly addressed her guest, saying:
"Sir. are you brave enough to protect
woman against any insult to which she
might be injected? Answer me with
truth and candor.''
"Without conceit, say yes" answer
ed the young man.
Every well. You work in order to
make money. Is it not so ?"
Certainly"
"This is what propose 7 am alone,
or almost alone in the world my fortune
or my actions concern no one but my
self; | wish to see the exhibition and
know Paris. But perceive that there
is nothing more difficult than for wo-
man to be in your country without a
protector. You please me, and if you
do not object, you shall be my champi-
on"
The young man tried to speak, but
she Immediately resumed:
81 insist on remunerating you; this
is strictly matter of business regard
it in that light. Accept or decline
Which shall it be ?"
Il accept" answered the clerk, after
a moments hesitation.
Il am satisfied continued the stran-
ger, ''that you are a gentleman, and will
not make yourself ridiculous by making
owe and fattering me, for l warn you
hat the very first compliment you pay
ne ends our contract. Is it agreed 2"
"Iadam, am at your service"
From Tomorrow
"trom tllis moment. I require only
ime to write to my employers"
And the terms Of this extraordinary
ompact were entered into to the letter.
The clerk was charming. He proved
himself intelligent, attractive, delicate,
without all that small talk men generally
elight to infict on women. In fact, the
American lady was truly delighted with
he choice she had made. Two week,
go she handed the amiable clerk heavy
oll@of bills, and they separated, mutual
y pleased with each other.
But it happened that as the lady was
bout to embark for England, thence to
mbark for America, a commissioner
astened toward her and inquired if she
7as Miss x. Upon answering in the {
he placed small box and
letter in her hand. The box contain !
d diamond set, the letter, few words :
My, but SO we'll chosen to express true
fection that the young lady started,
OF for London, but back to Paris. 1t
needless to say that the letter was
ON the clerk, who had taken this meth |
of returning the money forced upon
i'm by the young lady for services rem I
'red. (He had not given her bis ad. i
'ess, thinking the matter was ended G
% was not likely to have returned to /
s former employer. Ultimately she r
I'd learned he had taken in another
'use situation far inferior to the one
had formerly y occupied. Probably till > >
en- she was undecided as to her course,
when she heard this, her mind was 9
ade up. She wrote he came at once. II
They will be married soon. g
N