The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1871-08-11
MY P0RTER'S DAUGHTER.

we occupied, and were wont to call
our appdrteme,,ts. 1t is true they
were au si.riene, but n'inporte; they
were light and airy, and from the win
dows beautiful vista of house-tops
and chimney-pots, with the Panthe-
on and the pavilions of the Louvre,
met our gaze. "Any letters 7" re-
peated Jules, as Mime. Jacques, the
FORTRESS, replied to his salutation.
The good dame smoothed down
her apron, adjusted her cap, and hav-
ing assumed an air of profound woe
and commiseration, produced a letter,
deeply edged with black.
"Ah, l fear monsieur will have bad
news" said the little woman, "for l
am sure such letters always tell of
some ones death.n
Jules took the letter, and was soon
deeply engaged in reading its con-
tents.
"Read it, mon ami, and tell me
shall | laugh or weep" said he, having
read the letter, and handing it to me.
MY dear aunt" he resumed, "peaee
be with her, whom | have not seen for
ten years, has died, therefore should |
weep; but she has left me 10000
francs year. Therefore shall nei-
ther laugh nor weep; SO we dine at
the Irois Ereres, and drink to my
famed aunt's rest in their famed Bur
gundy, for it was her tavorite wine,
and"
Good morning, mamma; how de-
lighted | am TO see you, cried sweet
voice at the door of the lodge, and in
another minute the speaker was in the
arms of Mime. Jacques.
"My dear child, is it you ?" ex-
claimed madam; "well, well, who
would have thought of seeing you
back so soon 1t is my little Maria,
Messieurs," said the FORTRESS, her little
eyes twinkling with pleasure, in an
swer to our mute inquiries.
Marie turned, and bestowing on us
rogueish glance, made n profound
bow.
"Come, come, jules" said /, grasp
ing his arm, for he stood rooted to the
spot, gazing at the blushing Marie
come, mon ami, long to taste the
Burgundy" said |, fairly pulling him
to the door. "Good morning, ladies"
| added, and we were on our way
down the street.
Il verify believe you have fallen in
love- | continued. Come, old fell
low, it won't do for Jules de Quenille,
with 10000 francs year, to fall in
love with porter's daughter. But
Marie is handsome. Did you notice
what bewitching eyes she had? and
such teeth and as for her hands, they
" were as small and white as those of
duchess. ] am sure she has a fine
foot and ankle, for her figure is Ier-
feet. Bnt | forgot to congratulate
you on your good fortune, Jules.
Why, what is the matter! You are
in the clouds, mon cher"
"No, no, not in the Clouds" said |
Jules. Il was thinking, that is-yes-
/ was thinking OF my poor aunt. But
Mile Marie is beautiful; you are
right; it is a pity she is porter's
daughter"
Having honored the memory Of the |
deceased aunt in glass of Burgundy, |
we drank to Marie, and Marie it was |
for the whole evening. Even the |
petit ceyre with our cate was emptied
III Marie's honor.
Alas. my poor friend! saw he
was badly of when, for the twentieth |
time, the next morning he descended |
the six etages to see if there were any
letters; but Marie was not there, and |
madam was out, so Monsieur Jacques
kept house, and jules pride would not |
permit him to ask the old porter con-
cerning her. He was proud, was my |
friend Jules; of a good family of the |
provinces, he had been brought up to |
regard good birth as one of the essen
tials which a wife must possess. 1t is
thus with all Frenchmen; notwith- |
standing the many democratic princi-
pies they possess, pride of family is
as striking with them as it was with |
Louis XVI Though in the ordinary |
course of life they forget or lose sight |
of these principles, yet when the ques-
tion of marriage is discussed they re-
vive in all their pristine force.
"Yes, man dn,i," said Jules, laying |
aside his pipe and smoothing his luxu-
RANT mustache and beard now that / |
am rich man, / feel it duty / owe
to my family to marry. But my wife
must be of good family, and Marie is
not. l know what you would say
you English, when you fall in love,
forget all social distinction but we |
French have more firmness, and can
conquer our feelings. We marry for
our family, and we grow old and feel |
happy that we have done good ac-
ton. This is true greatness. You
English cannot appreciate it."
"Then you'll forget Marie" said I,
"and won't see her any more"
"But l Twill see her again." he re-
piled, and only speak to her, that l |
may forget my unfortunate pencha,at;
for You know an illiterate woman dis
gusts me, and / am sure she is without
education"
An hour afterward, as I passed the
porter's lodge on my way to the post
office, l saw my friend, engaged in an
animated conversation with Marie.
"Are you disgusted with her, Jules?"
| asked on my return that evening.
II am more in love than ever" he
replied; "she is as well informed and
accomplished as she is beautiful. But
what will my father say? She is but
porter's daughter"
"Ah," +" thought ], che thinks of what
his father would say; assuredly, she
has gained one point-she has con-