The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-06-01
Monsieur Durdon.
BY RERMuDAS.

, BY RERMuDAs.
Monsieur Durdon was one Of the char
acters Of Kimball's Placer. AS to bi
early history, no one knew much about it
as Monsieur always grew reticent wher
questioned upon the subject But from
odd words dropped now and then, it was sur
missed by those best versed in politics. tina
Monsieur and the Bourbons could no
agree, hence his involuntary exile
Where he came from before he bestowe,
his society upon Kimball's Placer. wa
also profound mystery The first known
OF him was upon dark and stormy nigh
in November, when the wet season had
fairly set in. The Widow Carroll, on Hi
berniau Indy of comfortable proportion.
and dccommodating manners, sat gently
doing in her chair before genial fire
when there came kuock at the door.
"Howly Pater n said the Widow Car.
roll removing the apron from her head
'So'nr pooc benighted cra;hur who~ look
in for lodgin', Opin the duro. Tom.
NY This to shock headed urchn who
sat in corner
The opeu door revealed dark figure
sposhed with mud from head TO foot.
which stood motionlcss uu,il hidden to
enter.
pardon, Mad ,ne, " said the traveller
with low bow II beg ten totlsau par.
dons for thus inlIude, but hev no place
to ,lepe | crave nights lodge in re
morning 90"
TO be sure ye may" said the widow.
ian welkim. Come up TO the fire, InaD,
yere as wet a- dhrowned rat Tommy.
ye spa peen. trow some wud Oh the Ere.
don't ye see the gintlemau is cbatteru'
his teeth with the cowld, ike lick mum.
key ?"
".je rouS remercie - said the traveller.
bowiug as he seated himself
SHAY VOC marcy" said the widow.
while an angry flush mounted to her brow
81 wondher what the iivil he mapes :?
But guess he ,uaue. kindly. he lidn't
say it in Il blackguard way. Make yer.
self aisy, SIR" said the widow aloud. IAN
! ~ So oH ia " ~Hdhf ubWH
While the widow is out. VIZ will de.
scribe the travellers appearance lie was
about the middling height, sinewy and
graceful in figure. In age, he seemed to
be Of about forty years. His hair was
dark, and slightly ,inged with gray, with
moustache Of the same hue The eyes
were light hazel, and had cheerful
though sometimes fitting sad expression
The brow was high and white and the
nose was slightly refronsSe, with the true
French nostril The mouth could not be
seen for the heavy moustachc, out the
chin Deueath it was square and ietermin.
ed. The whole expression of the face
was that OF u man who had been born
and bred a gentleman. His dress, which
consisted OF a serape, dark cloth Jacket,
a blue wooieu shirt, duck pants and long
boots, was made up of rough materials,
but be wore it with Undesirable grace,
peculiar to his nationality. Sach was the
appearance of Monsieur Durdon on the
night Of the 10th Of November, 1858.
Monsieur Durdon leaned forward with
his hands spread out towards the cheer.
ful blaze, while without the rain pattered
on the roof, the leaves shivered, the wind
moaued mourniully. and the angry torrent
OF the Stan'slaus rushed madly ou
1t was a wild night Monsieur Durdon
felt thankful that he Was under shelter.
He had walked quite distance that day,
he told his hostess, while eating his sup
per. IL walk, an walk, but that ware
good exercise. No matter if she do wear
oat," he turned up worn sole as he
spoke, "still it good exercise, used to
ze march, no matter If feet do bleed.
Nimpo,te :" He smiled snd shrugged
his shoulders.
/ The warm hearted widow east her ewes
down, and perceived that he had cut his
feet on the sharp quartz chips
"l'he poor soul o. cried she. Here
Tommy, bring that save Sure ye'ye
hurted yerself Munseer She had
caught the title already.
The heavy boots were drawn oh. aud
the widow dressed the travellers feet. ior
which she received proiusiou of thanks
Seated at the fire, Monsieur Durdou
had TO undergo series Of questions frou
his hostess. Where was he going where
had he come from, and wha, his business
To all Of which Monsieur replied. that he
came from San Francisco. that he was
going any where that would he advan,
iageous 10 him and that his profession
was politics in his own country, but he
was now making his hands support hin
instead Of his head.
AN why not stay here ?" asked the
widow. There's no betther diggings il
Caliiorny. My ould man wud av med
his fortune, if he haden't been killed 10 4
drinkin' bout. So here | am, lone
widdy,a maxim me livin by takin boord.
ers an dodgers" said the widow. combin
ing sentiment and business.
"Ah, It's vera sad" said Monsieur Dur
don. but must ask you to keep 81
lence where came from. said to'
much. have trooble, madame. touch
ing his forehead. "Yol understand Inc ?
AYE, | do" replied the widow com
passionately. "an' indade III not say
word about"
.Je UouS remercis-which meaps.
thank you" | see you no understoo,
French" he added quickly.
The widow opened her eyes wide
'"Frinoh is it Begorra. ! thought y
was gintlemen Grazer Well, Ia