Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1872-09-25
THE WAGERS.

Some years ago [ took my seat In
the diligence from Marseilles to r.
The railway that now connects those
cities was not contemplated
There were i've passengers in all. OF
these one was short, fat man, with
smooth cheeks and red face. Thou gh
plainly dressed, his clothes were very
good he had a great number Of rings
on his fingers, and across his waistcoat
he wore a thick gold chain, which he
was careful to let me see was attached
to handsome watch, on the back of
which was a crest in jewels.
There was no doubt he was rich
man, and that I, at all events, might
have no doubt of it, he informed me
that his income exceeded fifty thou
sand francs year, and that he bid fair
to double it before five years were gone,
so prosperous was his business,
was partly amused and partly dis
gusted by his loquacity. Why he
should have made a confdante of me
in particular [ don't know, unless it
was that [ happened to sit next him.
Among other bits of information ne
gave me to know that this was the first
for three years.
"Where do you get out 2'' I inquir-
ed
cat F." said he.
"But why do you go so far from
Marseilles for a holiday 2" [ asked.
" Monsieur" he answered, "I am
going to get married"
esThe deuce - [ exclaimed, laugh
ing "and you call that taking hoH-
| day ?"
Why" said he, that would de.
pend. If [ were going to marry an ugly
woman, now, [ should call this tour by
another name. But, my friend, the
lady I am engaged to is an angel slr,
she might have sat for one of Maho-
NETS hours Her eyes,
Here he went off into long account
of his mistress's perfections, decorat-
ing his fluent description with al man
ner of shrugs, grimaces, and gesticula,
tions.
8 You are very fortunate man, sir, y
SAID I, 3" and wish you JOY"
Yes, you may wish the lady Joy,
too, and congratulate her as well fo1
give me leave to say it is not every wo-
man who has the luck to meet with such
husband, who unites to the splendors
of wealth the accomplishments of genius
and the graces of courage" [ smoth-
cred laugh.
$50 you have genius and courage
as well as money 2"
He nodded vehemently.
GO Without boasting," said he, C ]
think [ may pride myself on being pos
sessed of all the qualifications that re-
commend man to the ladies'
$50 long as they are sufficient to
recommend you to the lady of your
choice, you should be satisfied"
s.They should be sufficient" he re,
piled, C and in my own mind [ am
persuaded that they are sufficient but,
though the young lady is beautiful as
houri, L regret to say she is rather
perverse in her taste, SO that for long
time I could hardly make any headway
in her affections. Indeed, she was
weak minded enough to ayow prefer
ence for cousin of hers, a young
lieutenant-a beggar, sir, and mighty
impudent dog to boot. What she
could see in him [ could never tell. I'll
allow that his nose is straight, his eyes
good, and his teeth white and regular,
but what is the use of these things in q
man without money ?"
ITO be sure" said | drOwsily, fol
the day was warm, and the tendency
to sleep was aggravated by my dronine
companion.
g I'm be perfectly frank with you,
be continued. "and confess that ]
don't think she would ever have ac
cepted me, had it not been for her faith
er, who is poor man, and is very
eager to have me for son ,in-law, think
ing shall pay off his debts. I wish
he may get it I've allowed him tc
think anything he likes, for his think.
ing costs me nothing, and being anx
@ lous 20 70 wed the girl, who, 1 declare tc
And here he went off again into
another long description, which he
literally garnished, as before, with
shrugs and grimaces.