The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-05-27
THE THREE FRIENDS OF VAUX
VILAINE
AN EPISODE OF THE PRESENT WAR
BY f. NJ. +. sKRNE.

sunny spot In all France than the little vii
lage of Vaux Vilaine. Very rural and.primi
i've u was, ana the echoes from the grea
tumultuous world without came few and fain
among the green fields and purple VINEYARDS
where the birds sang so merrily and the sum
mer winds sighed 80 softly through the rust
ling trees.
Itpossessed several substantial farm houses
among its humber cottages. and a pretty
little church, served by an old cure. who. in
his broad hat and black s0utape, walked bre.
wary in hand from house to house, and was .
veritable father and friend to every man. wo.
man, and child in the place. The population
was entlreiy agricultural, and the magnates of
the village were few thriving FARMERS. who
sent their sons to the cure for few hours
daily teaching, which gave them some intel
lectual advantages above the rest of the
16uness6 of Vaux Vilaine.
Among these farmers sons were three
young men about the same age, who were for
some years under the good priest 8 tuition,
and who had at that period of their boyhood
contracted friendship for each other, which
tney nad preserved intact through the years
that bad intervened since then.
Sunday, the 10th of July, 1870. was a olo-
rlous summer day, but intensely hot. and
when the benediction SERVICE at which the
cure generally gave his people little address,
was finally over that evening, these three
young men, Martel Lepelretier. Jules Desma-
rets, and Evariste Rossel, sauntered awav to
large tree which stood in retired part of
the churchyard, and threw themselves down
under its spreading branches to enjoy the
SOFT evening air, while they conversed toge-
ther in free and happy confidence.
Now, their talk was of the future: it is not
often of anything else with most of us in
those hopeful days of youth, when the un-
known life is full Of golden possibilities. and
no shadow from failure or disappointment
has dimmed the sunshine which expectant
fancy sheds on all that is to come.
How gloomy the bon pere was in his SER
mon light !" said Martel, stalwart youth.
with blue eyes and curling fair hair, and
bright, frank expression of face; she could
talk OF nothing but the uncertainty of life.
and the necessity of preparing ourselves for
all sorts of possible trials and troubles. Ma
t0u see no uncertainty in it, and 1 do not
anticipate any trials. My fate is settled for
me, and l am very we'll contented with it."
II should think so, indeed" said Jules
who was tall and slender, with keen dark
eyes, and look of great intelligence and
vivacity. ''Who would wish anything better
than to have that ge7atSUe Vevette for fancee
and the prettiest farm in Vaux Vilaine for
your home and possession; your father gives
his home up to you when you marry, does he
not?"
"Yes, he means to retire to nv grand
fathers old house, and leave me to manage
the farm, and you shall see what success I
mean to have. have some famous plans.
which will astonish all our old farmers not
little, expect"
''And your wedding is to be on All Saints
day, is it not ?"
fail l wanted it sooner, but Veyette's
mother declared she could not possibly,
before that date, get ready the fine store
of linen she means to give US for our new
anenGge."
SIN the meantime you see Vevette every
day, SO you are not much to be pitied, mon
ami"
''No, indeed, nor you either, for the matter
of that, Monsieur Jules. I suppose you will
be OH to your uncle as soon as my marriage
is over"
''That 1 shall Paris Paris !" exclaimed
jules starting up, and taking a flying leap
over the nearest grave, as an outlet to the
excitement which the very name of the gay
capital woke in him. II promised to dance
at your nOce, Martel, so will wait for that.
but do not stay here day after it. NV
uncle said might come in November, and
he will have the honor of receiving me on
the I'd of that month.
''Is it true that he means to make you his
heir?"
$50 he hints, and he is rich. All! delight
fully rich he is a horse dealer, you know,
and he gets guineas without number from the
Milors Anglais, who come to Paris for their
amusement. l shall have horses TO ride when
ever please; that is the glorious part of it.
am to take them out for exercise, and l
shall take good care they have enough of
that, promise you, and Jules looked at his
friends with roguish smile.
1T is pleasant prospect, must say, re-
piled Martel. ''Well! the cure had surely no
need to talk to us of the trials and miseries of
life-unless you have reason to anticipate
them, EVariste," he added, turning to the
third young man, who had not yet spoken.
Evariste was smaller and more delicately
made than either of his companions and had
very refined features and soft hazel eyes,
which were shaded with certain pensiveness
that hardly amounted to melancholy; as he
turned to Martel a peculiarly sweet smile lit
up his face.
any special plans formed for life; but 1 have
day dreams, he added, in lower tone.
''Ah! let us. hear them, then," exclaimed
Jules. ''You are somewhat poetic, Evariste,
mon ami, and perhaps you mean to go about
the country like troubadour, winning the
hearts of all the fair ladies with your sweet
songs"
Evariste shook his head, smiling, but did
not answer.
'Come, tell us what your ambition is,"
said Martel; 81 am sure you have some great
scheme"
''You will mock yourselves of me if do
tell you," said Evariste, while a faint tinge
of color spread over his face.
''No! mo-" they both exclaimed, "why
should we?"
"You know you are far more learned than
either of us" said Jules; 1--WE never studied