The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-07-07
LOVE CoN0UERs' ALL.


About the commencement Of the thit.
teenth century there lived in the City
Of Paris agollsmith, who, having come
originally from Tours, was called the
Tourangean, though his tru1 name was
Anselm. In consequence OF his great
honesty and his unrivaled skill Us u
jeSeler, lie became not only proud
burgess OF the city, but was admitted
as q retainer of the King, whose pro-
lection he purchased-ns was the Gus.
tom in those days. Ho built himself n
fine stone house, near the Church OF
Saint Eloi, in the Street ST. Denis,
where his forge was well known by all
the admirers Of fine iewelry. But.
though beloved by the King, patronized
by the noblesse, at peace with the cler.
gy, and with chest firmly secured with
lock Of his own cantriying, which said
chest was well lined with gold aud sill.
yererowns, Anselm remained u bachelor,
nor had his heart ever auttered with
the delicious tllrobs OF love. This was,
perhaps, hecatlse Of his carly poverty ;
because when lie came up TO Paris he
was poor. Also, he was timid, retir-
ing, and filed full of poetic imnginings
which, instend OF being rendered into
distiches and hemistitches, appeared in
the chasing and chiselings OF his Jewels.
II ever ideas of love, il desire Of beauty
ut any time entered into the head of the
Tournugean, they were soon translated
into delicate engravings, little golden
figures, fine forms Of silver.ware, with
which ho delighted the connoisseurs OF
the Court. Add TO this that Anseim
was very naive and simple, fearing God
first, then robbers, next the great lords,
and tumults and seditions especially.
His art was the one thing ot his life,
and any other thought was quickly re.
pressed. Because OF his isolation and
his natural timidity, the priests and the
men at arms did not think him very
wise because he spoke little, and when
he did speak his voice was low and
sweet like q woman's.
Up to his forty.first year the gold
smith remained q virgin heart ignorant
oflove. One Sabbath day, wandering
along the left bank OF tho Seine, with
his head full OF dreams Of marriage, he
came uawittingly into tho meadow land,
which has since been called Pre- aux
clercs, but which at that timc was part
OF the fair domains Of the Abbey OF ST.
Germain. Walking through this meadow
he stumbled suddenly upon poor girl
holding by IN old rope poor thin COW,
who browsed upon tho herbage close to
the pathway. Seeing q handsome, we'll
dressed gentleman approaching her, she
saluted him, saying: "God save you,
Monseigneur." Her voice was so full
OF sweetness, so musical, and SO friend
ly that Anselm felt his soul vanquished
by the sound, and Immediately fell in
loyo with the girl, being, as he was,
possessed with thoughts OF marriage at
that very time. Nevertheless, lie pass
ed her without speaking, being timid
to the last degree with women, and it
was not until ho had gone by at least u
bow.shot that he reflected tint n master
goldsmith, kings retainer, and burgess
OF Paris might make his how 10 any fair
lady il he felt like it. Having muster.
cd up courage, he wheeled sharp round,
aud came back TO the girl, who still
held her COW by the cord.
',Ah, my little one" said he, lyon
must DO very poor If you work on Gods
day. Are you not afraid OF being put
in prison?"
'hIon.eigneur," replied the girl,
casting down hereyelids, ~ have moth.
Ing to fear because belong to the Alb.
hey there. The Lord Abbot has given
US leave to Craze the COW after vespers. /"
"Do yonlove your COW better than
your souls safety, my girls"
''Ah, Monseigneur, this poor beast is
truly the half Of our poor life."
az wonder, my dear, to see you so
poor and so ragged, oil In tatters, and
with naked feet In the fields on Sunday,
seeing that you are so beautiful. Have
mono OF the young men II the city
talked Of marriage to you?"
"Ah, no, sir. Ibelong to the Abbey"
said she, showing to tho goldsmith a
bracelet on her left arm not unlike that
worn by cattle, but without o bell. And
Bhe smiled sadly at Anselm, who be.
came quite melancholy with sympathy
for her sadness.
"Why, what is all this 2" he resumed,
touching tile bracelet where the arms oi
the Abbey were clearly engraved, but
which he pretended not to understand.
"Monseigneur, l an the daughter OF
a slave. SO, whoever will marry me
will become q seri, were lie bargess oi
Paris, and would belong, body and
goods, to the Abbey and on account oil
his / am abandoned by every one-de'
serted and desolate, like a beast Of the
field. But that which grioves me most,
said hhe, shedding q few warm tears
"some day, when IL pleases the Lord
Abbott shall be married to another
aerf. Even II l were less homoly thar
lam, no young man would look on m.
second time, after he had seen this,
touching her bracelet, for the mosl
amorous would aee from me as from the
black death"
50 saying, she sighed from thobottom
Of her heart, aud gave little pull upon
the rope, TO make the COW follow her.
"And how old arc youG" said An
selm.
"I'don't know, Monseigneur, but the
Eatkae Ai,tok has IL In the reniskfY.n