Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-05-27
A French Romance.

One of those little romances of which tn,
French are so fond, has lately taken plac
| IN Paris, and is thus described in journal
Nj. Roberts, an immensely wealthy ant
highly accomplished elegant well known
not only for his valuable collections of paint
ings and medieval relics, but for his rare
skill as designer and painter, hearing tha,
one of his tenants, Mr.. B., whom he hae
never seen, kept one of the most extensive
ateiers of fancy boxes and ornamental 90
| jects in France, called on him, with view
to make his acquaintance.
| Entering the counting room he found a
| good -natured, eccentric gentlemen OF mid
die age, who greet him, and exclaimed :
Il suppose that you have also seen my
| advertis, ment, and come to apply for that
situation as designer
For a joke, NJ Robert replied that he
hld. Mr. B supplied him with paints and
brushes, and requested him to produce a
design for casket Nj Robert soon found
that what Mr.. B. really wanted, was an a.
tist who would strictly carry out his own
ideas, and that these were pure, and form
ed on an extensive knowledge of art. In a
short time he produced asketch which suit
ed the employer to dot.
NJ. Robert very grayely engaged himself,
exacting good wages, and insisted on having
several new articles of furniture placed in
the room which was assigned to him. But
when he was introduced to the work rooms,
and found one hundred and fifty girls, many
of them young and beautiful, busily employ
ed. and was informed that he would be re-
quired to supply them with designs, and
show the young ladies how they wer to be
carried out. the young artist began to feel
as if he should have to be carried out him.
Self-being very susceptible.
Working for living. said he to him
self, lis not entirely devoid of attraction.
Let US work.
NJ Roberts being an accomplished artist.
delighted his employer. and he soon found
remarkable fascination in seeing his de-
signs realized in steel, silver, enamel or
wood. He took a pleasure hitherto unknown
in seeing his work in the shop windows, and
fading them in the boudoirs of his friends.
This workshops life Was of course carefully
concealed from society, nor did his en-
ployer suspect that his artist was his land
lord But NJ Robert soon found more
intense object of fascination in the daughter
OF Mr.. B., young lady who also took part
in the duties of the atelier This damsel
was as remarkab for her accomplishments
as for her extraordinary beauty, and NJ.
Robert soon found that as regarded taste
and culture in all matters which especially
interested him, he had never met with any
one like her. Step by step the pair fell in
love, and little by little the artist so ingra
tiated himself with the father, that the lat
ter,after due deliberation, consented to their
union
Previous TO their marriage, the oil gen
tleman one day spoke of a dowry. 81 shall
give Maria fifty thousand francs, y with a
little air of boasting ''Eh, mon gorcon ?"
And. [ suppose, added M. Robert,
gravely, that |, too, must settle something
on my wife, Well-I will.
This caused a peal of laughter, which was
redoubled when the artist added:
''And | will settle this piece of property,
house and all, with the building adjoining,
on her
But what was their amusement when NJ.
Robert drew forth the title deeds, and said:
"You seem to forget that am your land
lord ? Isn't my name Robert p
The young lady did not faint but papa
nearly died of astonishment and joy. There
was magnificent wedding, but the bride
groom has not given up business. He de-
clares there is as much amusement in being
useful as in amusing ones self.