Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-02-16
A LOVERS TEST.
How TO get Married-A Parisfan Nov
eleftc.

AAo" ~ So
One fine morning in Autumn, Linval was
taking a walk in the Tulleries at Paris, and
found an open billet containing the follow
ing lines: IF the person who finds this
paper is disposed to do benevolent action,
he is requested to inquire at No. 346 Rue
Santiago, for Eugene de Mirande. Such
as NAV not be incl:oed to assist an unfortu-
nate mother are entreated, at least, not to
hinder others, and to throw the billet again
where they found it."
Linval. the best dancer in Paris, was
Just humming a new tune; he picked up the
paper, and after reading it, whisked it up
into tee air with his cane and pursued his
walk. The next person who noticed it was
an elderly man, simply dressed, who was
hurrying to public Office in which he had
a place. because he was already late. He
contriVed, nevertheless, to spare so much
time as was necessary to read the billet;
which, however, Struggling up his should
,ers and raising his eyes to heaven, as much
las to say, "That is no concern of mine, he
carefully replaced it in its former situation.
He was followed by o farmer general; one
of those moderate people who are satisfeQN
if they can clear three thousand livres
day; who elated by their wealth, give them
selves airs of much consequence, and of
and spit far" At first he kicked the billet
along with his foot, but his ity being
excited, he took it up, threw his eyes over
it with scornful smile, and amused him.
self in tearing it in pieces, at the same time
muttering s'an impadent imposture."
The next morning SIMILAR billet lay on
the same spot. The first person who read it
took down the address in his pocket-book
and replaced the paper. Next came young
couple who had not long been married,
and picked up the billet. Julia, who ex-
pected in about three months to become,
for the first time, a mother, and to her
husband, 'Iet US go, my dear; what we
can offer is little. to be sure; but in many
cases little may save the unfortunate from
despair come. let US 60" They accord
ingly went. After they had found the
specified number in the Rue Santiago, they
learned that the house was inhabited by an
old physician, who had retired from prac-
tice and was thought to be rich and had
only one daughter, distinguished for under
standing and talents. They ascended
handsome staircase and were ushered into
an apartment on the first floor, which was
furnished, not magnifcently but with great
taste. They inquired for Eugenie de Mir
ande, and lady, young elegant and &C
complished, made her appearance. She
requested her visitors to step into saloon
that seemed to be the haunt of the Muses..
Books, drawings and musical instruments
were intermingled, and formed by no meaus
an unpleasant contract with the neatness.
The young couple could not conceive where
persons in need of assistance were to be
sought in such habitation.
II fear, madam said Julia, 'that we
ire wrong. We found billet with your
direction in the Tulleries, and expected to
meet distressed person to whom we might
nave afforded some relief; but all that the
zee here seems rather TO indicate opulence
han to call FOR the exercise of benevo-
ence"
Eugenie replied, with some embarrass-
ment, that she was merely the interpreter
of very fortunate female who, from a
relic of pride, wished to remain unknown, |
but was deserving of compassion. Julia
expressed a wish to become acquainted |
with this lady. 81 am no stranger to dis
tress, said she; s'before me she would have |
no occasion to blush. Eugenie, to crafty |
her in this particular, observed that mis- |
fortunes had made her pr0teqe so shy and |
mistrustful, that it was extremely difficult |
to gain her confidence.
HAS she any children" asked Julia.
"Three; and her husband whose labors
procured scanty subsistence for his fam
lily, is just dead, after long and painful
illness"
Good God! what melancholy situa-
ton? And how old are her children?"
They are all very young. The eldest is
a girl of five years.
Il shall myself soon be mother" said
Julia, s.and the first of the little unfortu-
mates affects me the more deeply. would
gladly take one of them, but my own infant
will demand all my care. However, per-
nit me to send you apacket of little articles
for the children, for I cannot suppose that
the family, protected as it is by you, can
be in want of the absolute necessaries of
life"
Eugene cordially thanked her in the
name of the unknown lady. promised to take
care of her presents and note down Julia
name and address.
No sooner had Julia and her husband
retired then the same object brought a
young man to he house.
81 beg your pardon, madam" said he to
Eugene; sit is not you that [ want, but
Eugene de Mirande."
''I am that person.
The young man was no less staggered
than Julia had been, and received the same
explanation. Affected by the story, he Of
fered his assistance.
81 am not rich" said he, ssbut q bachelor
may, with d little frugality, always put by
a little Tor the relief of the distressed"
Sir replied Eugene, ''there are cases
in which money cannot afford relief. There
are other ways in which the interference of
the benevolent may prove infinitely more
seryieeable to the unfortunate.
sOf what nature is the interference that
your friend stands in need Of? Speak out
On you- recomm endation [ will eheerfuIly
undertake whatever lies in my power"
Then excuse rude question, on ac-
count of the motive which prompts it. Are |
your connections such that you can obtain |
access to the minister"
mo Madam! My father possesses a !
small estate in the neighborhood of Paris, |
the value of which has been doubled by the |
ir dustry; but he has never appeared in the
ante. chamber of the great, and God be
thanked! I shall share with five beloved
brothers and sisters the patrimony LETT by
nv father, and hope that the minister will
never hear my name; unless, indeed, your
friend stands in need Of an advocate to
plead her cause. In that case | am ready;
only let me know in what way can serve
her"
''It was found nece essary," replied Eu-
genie, .'to destroy some grounds which my
fiends husband had planted and laid out
at great expense, because the safety of our
army required it. 1t is an idemnity for the
loss she solicits.
.sAnd is any patronage required for this?"
Not exactly, ior the claim is just. But
Won know how often such matters are pro-
iracted in the public offices, and evenwhol-
" forgotten. 1t would tn refore be an es-
sential point to accelerate the affair. The
best way would be, to address the minis
True, but how draw it up-there lies
the difficulty.
Here a pause succeeded:
"Might | request that favor of your" re-
sumed Eugene, with look of modest en-
treat
Il will do it with pleasure, and should
have offered at first, had been aware OF the
circumstances.
-. \ - >. II In ..cIlin-