The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-16
Se1ert Stngy.
"PECCADILLE. "
[From the French,l

IL was after the events OF looO. 1he
leading question of the day was to per-
suade Austria to accept the revolution OF
July and the change of dynasty. TOGO
duct this difficult negotiation the Gov
eminent 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 reluctantly the post confded to
MIN, and, before his departure, he turned
his steps toward the hotel of Prince Tai
leyrand, in order to receive from the
Machiavel of the Rue st. Florentin his
last secret instructions. go. ..sH fI4.'
When the Marshal was announced the
Prince was at work in his library. When
ne heard the name Of his visitor his sly
little face assumed an expression Of ma
licious glee like that which is visible on
the features of naughty child when he
sees q chance of tormenting dog or a
bird.
He hastened to change his dressing
gown of wadded brown silk for more
appropriate garb, and he then limped to
the salon where the Marshal awaited
him. The latter was standing, clad in
the uniform of his grade. His stern
manly face, framed in long, white hair,
gave him, in spite of his rather ordinary
aspect, an appearance OF simple, rough
dignity.
The Prince opened the conversation.
II was at first unimportant, as are all
conversations. The Marshal tried to lead
the talk gradually toward politics, but
then the Prince instantly changed the
subject. The Marshal's efforts to accom-
pksh the aim of his visit were utterly
vain. The more serious he was, the more
frivolous became his adversary. There
was q sort of struggle between them, q
struggle in which, as may be imagined,
NJ. de Talleyrand had all the advantage.
Ifthe Marshal attempted TO speak of al
liances to conclude, or of treaties to sign,
the Prince talked of the corps de ballet of
the opera, or of other things ofthe same
diplomatic Importance.
'IHow shall | open the question with
M. de Metternich ?" said the Marshal, at
last out of patience. f'..
Come and see my cabinet of Chinese
curiosities," answered Talleyrand, very
coolly. W
The Prince had really very fine col
lection.
Poor Marshal he was obliged to en-
dure all the pagodas, to admire all the
teapots, and go into eCstacies before all
The screens. Talleyrand watched mali
ciously the ill-disguised impatience of
the old soldier, who silently but heartily
cursed all the lacquered walters and
mandarins past, present and to come
"That is all" said the Prince.
"At last Heaven be praised !" thought
the Marshal, and his face beamed with
satisfaction,
Talleyrand saw this gleam of joy, and
he hastened to add
"Ahi think / have forgotten the
most curious thing in my collection, the
right slipper of the Princess Fo-Aio, the
daughter of the Emperor Ton-Kang. /
forgot also the little sailing-vessel, which
is an exact model in miniature of those
that navigate the Yellow River"
And Talleyrand related the history of
the slipper, and then entered into long
dissertation upon the progress of naviga-
ton in China. The Marshal, who could
no longer restrain his impatience, fdget-
ed nerVously from one leg to the other.
"You are tired" said the Prince, bring
ing forward chair. "Will you not take
a seat?"
At this the Marshal lost all patience.
"Sacrebluep he cried; "for more than
an hour you have been telling me stories
that do not concern me, and showing me
toys that l despise And whenever /
try to talk of my mission you instantly
beat a retreat. Do you know that
strongly suspect you. NJ. lie Prince, of
making fool ofmeW
These words were uttered still more
energetically than we have written them.
"Your mission ?" replied Talleyrand,
calmly "Ahl of course, my dear Mar
shal let us talk of it. Why did you not |
mention it soonerP" .oa 1H
"How sooner? For more than an
hour" iIH. H.I
II did not understand. / 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" rm r.rt1. III
'That am about to leave for Austria,
and that" Xxi
Austria fine country A very fine
f.l.r
"And that in Vienna"
"Vienna-a charming city! l am con-
ident that you will like itp
II will see M. de Metternich-"
"An excellent fellow, though perhaps
! little ceremonious. We led very joy
Jus life together. That reminds me of
N adventure" 1a W7il
"Allow me to observe, M. lie Prince,
hat we are talking of my mission"
"Wellp IDC Hf Ia 9er.f5n n
What am ! to say to M. de Meter
lich?" r.r.,o7 a'..,.,r
What are you to say to him2"
"Yes.n r.,..a III.
II really do not know" qem FdI
What! You do not know r"
II had not reflected when / told you
hat, You viii say to him"
"Well?"
"0nly one word" iH'- o''l 'H'.i
"And that is" aA
"PeccddiHeP
NDoooo Islla Oh