The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-04-20

pearing to have heard his wife, "sup-
pose that l had doubled Madeleine's
dover, according TO your wish, what
would have happened2 That al this
moment our children, considering that
our son.in.law Is somewhat OF an enthu-
siast, would not perhaps be much rich
er, while I should be q great deal poor
or; that / could not receive and enter
tain them for so long o time, nor SO
well and that they would come less
frequently to us, because they would be
better off home. All, my dear, il our
children had more money than our
selves, our daughter would have dis
covered six weeks ago that Yilleneuyc-
Saint. Georges Is too damp in tho au-
tumn, and would have feared for the
children the effect OF the fogs from the
river, while our son.in.law would have
declared that these daily trips to Paris
were affecting his health. This brings
me, therefore, 10 my conclusion, which
I dedicate to oil fathers who have mar
riageable daughters Would you keep
your children2-keep your money |
Would you have pleasure in your grand
children ?-keep your money!
For 1t is thanks TO the money that the
ather remains the head OF the family (;
that the fathers house remains the do
mestic rallying point-that is to say, m
honorable and comfortable retreat for
tho aged for the young, place Of
refuge and enjoyment /; for the babies,
q nest, to which they will como in search
Of health, and sometimes for nurture
more iudicious than that OF their
mothers themselves for all, in short,
q centre aud o sanctuary, wherein occur
things 10 be Observation-Disclosures sue
cessiye generations grow up and grow
old, and wherein are perpetuRted ira
ditions Of respect and affection Gall
my foresight, Il you will, calculation
and personality for my part, l call II
the true paternal love, that which con.
sists in making children happier and
better For, note well, my dear, that
my son-in.law had, am quite willing
to'believe it, everything in favor Of his
becoming q pattern son-in-law; but,
without this foresight Of mine, his good
qualities would perhaps have remained
in o budding state only. To whom does
he owe IL, II they have bloomed
Plainly, to mel Morol Of the fable
shall not add ono sou TO my daughters
dowry"
-
We have now reached the Both oi
November. n fortnight later, but still nj
villeneuye- Saint. Georges for, Il in
this sketch I have slightly violated the
unity Of time, ! have OF least respected
tho unity OF place. The house Of NJ.
Desgranges Is all alive. Never has he
himself appeared SO gay and 80 happy.
II Is the twenty.aith anniversary Of his
wedding day.
"Wife," said he to Madame Des.
oranges, az this is a day that must be
! worthily celebrated. No economizing
to-day, spread all sail give us q din.
ner-iust as though I was an epicure
| / have particularly recommended Made
leine, who has been passing day in
i Paris, I don't know on whit affair, Ia
return with her husband by the -four
o'clock train. She will find in her room
| pretty new dress, which I should like
her TO wear to-day. AS for you, il you
still love me q little in spite oi my def
ciencies, prove III; make yourself
charming also. Put on for dinner-and
for tho evening, for I have invited all
the neighborhood-pu on, I say, my
poor mothers diamonds. They repre-
sent, in my eyes, all that I have most
loved in this world l-her, who gave
them TO me for you-you yourself, who
hayo worn them for my sake and hers
your daughter, who will wear them for
all three Of us T. And thereupon Mr..
Desgranges walked OF to conceal some
slight emotion. f
Why did not Madame Desgranges
answer him? Why did she remain for
some time immcvable and with her
head sunk DOWN. Why did her daugh.
ter, coming in, carry her of to her own
room, in tears2 Why was tho son.in.
law SO gloomy? Why did the dinner
bell make them all three startp Why,
on entering the dining room, did the
mother give q troubled look at her hus.
band2 Why did NJ. Desgranges, on
observing II, utter a few words that
were almost reproach? Why? The
words themselves explain all.
"You have not got on your dia-
monds r. cried the father. AS her sole
reply, the mother threw herself, weep
ing, into the arms Of her husband. The
daaghteri took his hand, and kissed 1t,
on his knees before him. "You have
not got your diamonds, what have you
done with themP' Tho wife and chill
dren were silent. 'sYou make no re-
ply |" continued the father, in harsh-
or tone. at Is I then who must speak
out. You have sold them to cover the
imprudence Of your son.in.lawl Yes,
because he was pleased to associate
himself with an ill.devised enterprise,
because he had the folly to make HIM
self responsible for scamps who have
deceived him, you have been obliged,
in order to pay one.half OF his debt
for he still owes twelve thousand francs
-you have been obliged to tear away
from me the dearest Souuenir Of my
poor mother, and the most precious
voucher Of our own affection, and you
have even embittered the enjoyment Of
this special dayl All. 1t is too bad J.
Madame Desgranges endeayored to
mutter excuses.
HThat Is enoughl" saidM. Desgran-
ges, interrupting her. /" Here are the
servants. Go, take your places u
Mother and children went silently TO
the table but suddenly, as she unfold.
ed her napkin, Madame Desgranges Mt
tared n lnnd exclamation. Her soE.in.