The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-03-31

time of our retirement draws near. One Oh
these DAYS they will replace u.s." and he
laughed again-I, thinking Of that, was not
so CAV. Then he passed me the cheese, say
ing:
"And what do you expect to do two years
from now? My wife wishes to take me into
her native place. Champagne. 1t wearies me
to think of it. l do not love the plains. But
you know, what woman wills God Wills"
1t is an old proverb, and all proverbs have an
air OF extraordinary good sense"
eyes Monsieur Inspector" Ireplied. "but
proverbs are very tiresome for me. could
never leave the mountains. Habit is too
strong. If compeled to leave should not
live fortnight. should die"
Doubtless" he replied, "and yet the
young people come and the old people must
yield their places"
In spite of the good bumpers l was be-
coming mute, thinking of these unfortunate
things, when he said to me:
SIN your position Father Fredric, do you
know what should do? Since you love the
mountain so much, since it is in some sort
part of your life to live in the woods, l should
seek for son-jn-law in the forester party; a
brave youth who would take my place, and
with whom l could live TRANQUILITY till the
end, in the midst of green copse, and the per-
fume of the oaks"
it every day-but"-
'tBut what" he asked, "what hinders
you? you have pretty daughter, you are a
good man, what troubles you? The choice
is not wanting hope, among the guards of
inspection. The great Kern, Donabien,
Nicholas Thompette, would ask nothing bet
ter than to become your son-in-law. And the
brave Jean Mulin! There is one whom we
can call model forester, frank, active, intel
lgent, and one who will fill your place well.
His notes are excellent, he is the first on the
list of promotion, and, by my faith, Father
Fredric, at your retirement. think he has
all the chances of succeeding you.''
In listening to him turned red even to my
ears, and could not help answering:
-"That is all true. Against Jean Mulin no
one has anything to say. No one has ever
seen better youth, or one more honest.
But cannot offer my daughter to the men
who please me. Mulin has never spoken of
marriage with Marie Rose, nor has his moth
er, Margredel, nor Uncle Daniel nor any
one. You understand well, Monsieur Inspec-
tor. that cannot advance thus far; it would
be too much. Every thing ought to be done
in order; the demand should be made in
FORM"
He was going to reply, but Virginia came
in to turn out the coffee. He took from the
mantel box saying,
"Let us light our cigars, Father Fred
ric.''
saw that he was delighted. The servants
having gone out, he said sportively:
.sAh ha! Father Frederick, must some one
come and tell you that Marie Rose and Jean
Mulin love each other with all their hearts
Must Uncle Daniel come to tell you of it in
black coat, with buckles on his shoes?"
He laughed aloud and could not COM
prehend him.
"Well, WE'LL" said he, "here is the whole
thing in nut shell. The other day Mulin
was so sad that 1 asked him if he were not
sick, and the poor fellow owned to me, with
tears in his eyes, what the trouble was.
You have face so grave and dignifed, that
no one of the family dares to ask you.
These honest people thought that I would
have some influence. Shall put on my
uniform, Father Friedrich"
He was so gay that in spite of my trouble
replied,
80, Monsieur Inspector, now it is all
rightv'
'You consent?'
eyes, I consent. have never wished
anything else. Yes, yes, consent and
thank you. You can say, Monsieur Laroche'
that :to.s5ac,u ,Scss have made Fredric the
happiest of men," -
rose up and had already replaced my
knapsack on my shoulder, W.,,sn the guard,
General Rameaux, entered on some business.
care you going, Father Frederick" asked
the Inspector. ''You have not finished your
coffee"
fAh! Monsieur Laroche," said I, 81 am
the happy. cannot rest, the children will
be awaiting me certainly I must tell them
the good news"
swell, well, CO." said he rising and con-
Quoting me to the door, "you are right. We
must not hinder the happiness Of the young
people,"
He shook hands with me and 1 left after
saluting Mr.. Rameaux. went away so hap
py that 1 could not see clearly; it was only
at the end of the street descending to the
left into the valley that awoke out of the
confusion of these happy thoughts. l had
perhaps taken drop too much. 1 must
acknowledge, George, that the good wine had
confused me; but my limbs were firm, and
1 went as if were only twenty years old,
laughing and saying to myself:
thing. Monsieur Inspector has made the
demand. That is better, thousand times,
than if Uncle Daniel had made it. All! ali!
What luck! We shall be happy in the bar
racks! They will be happy to hear that
everything is settled, that l consent, and that
nothing now remains only to shout the
gloria in ercelsis. And you, you can laugh
also. Everything moves on as you wished.
You will remain In the country 10 the
end of your life, you will see the for
ests from your window, and smell the
odor of the resin and moss until you are
eighty years old. All that is part of my
life, not to speak of the rest, the children
and grandchildren, &C., &c."
I could have danced, descending the path
to Trohmuhle. 1t was near six O'Clock,
night was approaching. In the GOODNESS OF
the evening the frogs began their music in
the midst of the tall grass and rushes of the
pond, the old pines on the shady side of the
path became blue against the dark sky. l
stopped from time to time to look at them,
thinking you are beautiful, sweet, and full of
good sap. You will remain there for long
time yet. The sun will gladden. your tops,
always green, until you are marked for the
axe of the woodman. Then that will be the
end, but the little pines will have grown in
your shade. The place will never be vacant"
ThenI began again my journey. Softened
I said to myself. "Yes Fredric behold your
destiny you loved your father-in-law Bruat;
Won took care of him when he could no lonper