The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1875-12-13
PECCADILLE.
PROM THR FRENCH,

~ was III Parls alter tho events OF
1880. The leading question Of the day
was to persuade Austria TO accept the
revolution Of July, and tho change OF
dynasty. To conduct this difficult
negotiation, the government had chosen
Marshal Maison, 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.
tantiy the post confded to him, and,
before his departure, he turned his
steps toward the hotel Of Prince Talley.
rand, in order to receive from tho
Machiavel OF the Rue St. Florentin his
Last secret instructions.
He met with poor success. The
Prince was affable enough, bnt the
marshal could not get him to talk brsi.
ness. He would converse on every
other subject but tho very ono the
marshal was most anxious to engage il.
at this the marshal lost nil patience.
"Sacrebleu !" he cried ; " for more
than an hour you have been telling me-
stories that do not concern me, md
showing me toys that despise! And
whenever try to talk OF my mission
you instantly bent n retreat. Do You
know that I strongly suspect you, NJ. le
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 sooneri"
"How sooncrl For more than MI
hour -
"I did not understand. I was afraid
OF boring you by talking business.
What I 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
Anstria, aud that
Austria-a fine country very fine
country |"
"And that in Vienna
"Vienna, o charming cityl I am
confident that You will like it |"
AZ will SEQ N. do Metternich -
"An excellent good fellow, though
perhaps little ceremonious. Wo led a
very joyous life together. That reminds
mo OF IN adventure -
"Allow me to observe, NJ. 10 Prince,
that We are talking OF my mission"
"Well -
"Wbat am I to say to NJ. do Meter
nichi"
"what are you to soy to himi"
eyes"
~ really do not know"
"Whatl you do not knowi"
"I had not reflected when I told you
that. You will say to him
"Well2"
"Only one word"
"And that isi"-
Peccadillel"
Peccadille I"
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.
"I wish you q pleasant journey.
Above all, do not forgot to say Pecca-
ollie to Metternich. and to say it from
me-"
. Tho marshal departed in q tremen-
dous rage, aud Prince Talleyrand re-
turned 10 his library, rubbing his hands
gayly.
Arrived in the Austrian capital, the
French envoy was extremely well re-
ceivel he wasloaded with all sorts ofat-
fnntions. md entertainments without
end were given to him, but tofany interview
with the minister therS was not the
slightest question. More thnn 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 n pressing manner that it wns Mt
lust accorded to him. The day was fixed
as veil as the hour.
"At last" thought the marshal, al
shall be able to explain myself"
At the moment he entered tho minis
ter's cabinet, Prince Metternich WIZ i'll
the net Of crushing dispatch between
his fingers. On seeing the marshal en-
ter, he glanced at the clock, mud said:
Marshal, I regret deeply that I am
able to give you but very little time.
His majesty the emperor has sent me IN
order which summons me To him in q
few moments; I cau only devote half m
hour to you to-day. Another time
may be more fortunate"
"A great many things may be said in
half an hour" thought tho marshal.
A great mnny things may be said in
half m honr, it is true, and, above all, a
great many things foreign to tho subject
under discussion. Talleyrand thad nj.
ready proved that to the marshal, and
Metternich prove d it to him anew. It
was impossible for him to Introduce a
single word OF politics during the thirty
minutes TINT the interview lasted.
"I nm obliged to leave you sir," said
the minister; tho half hour is past"
"The die is cast. thought the mar-
shal; ~ have nothing more to do but
to return to France"
Suddenly thought struck him. NJ.
do Metternich was on the point OF leav.
q have message for you from NJ.
do Tallcyrand."
"What is II n
The marshal hesitated.
"What is 1t ?" repeated tho minister.
"Peccadille," said tho maishal, in
desperation.
At these words, NJ. dc Metternich let
20 the door knob, which he had already
grasped, and quickly retraced his steps.
Peccadille, did you say T.
"Yes, NJ. 10 Prince, from NJ. do Tai
leyrand."
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