The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-12-09
PECCADILLE.
FROM THE FRENCH. |

FROM THE FRENCH.
1t was i'll Paris after the events OF
1880. The leading question of the day
was to persuade Austria to accept the
revolution of July, and the change of
dynasty. To conduct this difficult
negotiation, the government had chosen
Marshal Maison, a brave old soldier of
the empire, but more used to the tactics
of war than to those of diplomacy and
politics. The marshal accepted reluc-
family the post confided to him, and,
before his departure, he turned his
steps toward the hotel of Prince Talley-
rand, in order to receive from the
Machiavel of the Rue st. FlDrentin his
last secret instruc tions.
He met with poor success. The
Prince was affable enough, but the
marshal could not. get him to talk bust
ness. he wCdld converse on every
other subject but the very one the
marshal was most anxious to engage in.
AT tbs the marshal lost all patience,
:sSacrebleu l' he cried {" for more
than an hour you have been telling me
stories that do not concern me, and
showing me toys that despisel And
whenever l try to talk of my mission
you instantly beat a retreat. Do you
know that strongly suspect you, NJ. Ie
Prince, of making fool OF me ?"
"Your mission !" replied Talleyrand,
calmly. "Ah of course, my dear
marshal, let us tall of it. Why did you
not mention it sooner2"
Chow sooner2 For more than an
hour -
81 did not understand. 1 was afraid
of boring you by talking business.
What did was for your sake, for you
know that business is my element. You
were about to remark -
"That I am about to leave for
Austria, and that -
"Austria-a fine country ! a very fine
country |"
And that in Vienna
"Vienna, charming city | am
confident that you will like it |"
81 will see NJ. de Metternich -
can excellent good fellow, though
perhaps little ceremonious. We led a
very joyous life together. That reminds
me of an adventure -
"Allow me to observe, M. lie Prince,
that we are talking of my mission"
"Well I"
"What am 1 to say to M. de Meter
uich Z"
"What are you to say to him2"
eyes"
81 really do not know"
"What you do not know7"
81 had not reflected when told you
that. You will say to him
"Well2"
"Only one word"
"And that is ~
PeccadiIle I"
Peccadille2 2"
eyes"
"Permit me to take my leave of you,
Nj. le Prince" said the marshal, perfect
ly beside himself, taking up his hat and
going toward the door as he spoke.
81 wish you pleasant journey.
Above all, do not forget to say Pecca-
dille' to Metternich, and to say it from
me-"
The marshal departed in a tremen-
dous rage, and Prince Talleyrand re-
turned to his library, rubbing his hands
gayly.
Arrived in the Austrian capital, the
French envoy was extremely well re-
ceived he was loaded with all sorts ofat-
tentions, and entertainments without
end were given to him, but of any interview
with the minister thera was not the
slightest question. More than once al
ready he had solicited an audience,
and his request had always been
refused under one pretext or
another. Driven out of all patience by
these delays, he solicited an audience in
such a pressing manner that it was at
last accorded to him. The day was fixed
as we'll as the hour.
"At last," thought the marshal, 81
shall be able to explain myself"
At the moment he entered the minis
ter's cabinet, Prince Metterpich was in
the act of crushing dispatch between
his fingers. On seeing the marshal en-
ter, he glanced at the clock, and said
I" Marshal, regret deeply that I am
able to give you but very little time.
His majesty the emperor has sent me an
order which summons me to him in
few moments can only devote half an
hour to you to-day. Another time l
may be more fortunate"
" A great many things may be said in
half an hour" thought the marshal.
half an honr, it is true, and, above all, o
great many things foreign to the subject
under discussion. Talleyrand had al
ready proved that to the marshal, and
Metternich prove d it to him anew. 1t
was impossible for him to introduce
single word of politics during the thirty
that the interview lasted.
81 am obliged to leave you sir, said
the minister the half hour is past"
The die is cast" thought the mar
shall 81 have nothing more to do but
to return to France"
Suddenly thought struck him. nj.
de Metternich was on the point OF leay-
ing the room.
." have message for you from NJ.
de Talleyrand."
what is it I"
The marshal hesitated.
"What is it ?" repeated the minister.
" Peccadille," said the marshal, in
desperation.
At these words, M. de Metternich let
go the door knob, which he had already
grasped, and quickly retraced his steps.
" Peccadille, did you say n
"Yes, M. le Prince, from M. de Tai
leyrand."
"Oh, then that is very different.
Why did you not say so before To
day it is impossible for me to remain
with you, because, as have already told
you, the emperor is waiting for me, but
tomorrow will receive you, and we will
long and seriously, and believe
me, sir, / will do all that is in my power
to aid tho suonasa of vOur naootiafiop -