Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1873-05-03
0ailant's Watch.

Vaillant's Watch.
The incident We are about to relate
took place when the learned and brave
Marshal Valiant presided over the Bu-
reau of Fine Arts. One morning Mad
sms dc T. ar1ived at the minister Office
sent up her card to his excellency, which,
the marshal received with his usual
kindness, characterized by something Of
familiarity and rudehess. Having risen
with the sun, dressed in military style
the Malsbal Valiant WAS at his post,
his head bent over desk covered with
files Of papers, reports and books. Near
by, hair b1istling, with sharp look,
ears pricked up. was Rover. keeping
watch. Rover is the Marshol's famous
dog, found astsay on the battlefield Of
Solfe.ino, covered all over with dirt.
The Marshal had adopted him, made
him companion and friend, admitting
him to his carriage, 10 his knees, and
even to his ta ble. Madame T. was ad.
mitted to the minister's cabinet. AS
she entered the Marshal bowed gra-
ciously, and Rover pevking up his ears
more and more, gravely seated himself
on his hinder most legs as If le would
say, " Ma ,.me I listen to YOU"
ct am Madame lie T." said timidly
enough the lady visitant, "and I go
licit such employment from your ex-
cellency's distinguished kindness as
you may see fit to grant. Madame r. 4,
our common friend, has she not recon-
mended me to your excellency?'
II have a vague recollection of some-
thing of the kind" replied his excellen-
cy. continuing to sharpen his pencil,
"but I will at once examine your pa-
pers," and he rang the bell loudly for
Herrie, his Office boy. Pardon me,
your excellency, I have no papers.
"How Madame! Have no papers ?
but We, when We ask for employment,
we prepare batteiies-we arm ourselves
with the needed weapons-we put our
selves in marching order; and do you
come here as if you were going to prom
enade? What is it you ask for? What
are your merits, for it is necessary that
1 should examine into them? Where
ale your recommendations
II gave my papers to Madame r. ,
who must have forgotten to send them
to you. as imagine"
You imagine! That is charming"
"What then, Marshall
"Then, Madame, 60 to your friend.
see her, and tell her to send me your
papers. We shall see what will follow.
For a moment there was silence, soon
broken, however, hy heavy srowl from
Rover, who seemed to say: Madame
the audience is finished. Nothing re-.
mains but for you to withdraw"
At the same instant, the minister,
bowing with gracious smile, said: II
have this long report to finish, and ff-
ty letters to write, if you will be so good
IS to permit"
Saying this, the marshal drew from
his pocket, that famous German watch
presented to him by Saint Arnaud, fa-
nous as Rover himself. pressed care
lessly spring, and Immediately this
timepiece struck up the air, Patant
pour Ia Syrie. An original way certainly
to cut short . business interview.
Shocked not less than ruffied by this
mechanical dismissal, Madame de T..
bowed coldly and went out.
Returning home. she took pen and
wrote to her friend. She desired Mad
anne R. TO send her papers, as soon as
possible to the marshal; and then went
on to relate. in exceedingly livelv terms,
the inconceivable reception of which
she had been the object: at the same
time loading his excellency with the
bitterest epithets. cater receiving
me quite rudely. she said, "this amia.
ble parsonage dismissed me by spring.
ing his watch to the air of tho charming
Dunois. And then, q frightful dog
which he had named Rover, after i'm.
pertinently staring me in the face, min
gled his bark with the Partara pour IA
Syrie of the marshal" Madame R., a,
she read this, could not refrain from
laughter, and Immediately wrote to he,
friend, saying that the rudeness o.
the minister was more than counterbal
anced by the great kindness Of his
heart" She hastened to send to tn,
marsha! the papers of Madame de T.