New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-30

aAl2opinf6 ACROSS the country. "Wh0 Is
hat 1hevalier who sits his horse so gal
Vlantly2" Sw'
1T Is the Chevalier Phebus."
.'And who is he?"
s.Your brother"
"But have never seen of brother.
He does not want to see you"
"And why?"
because you are hunchback."
An! I had forgotten. And where is he
coming from2"
From the chateau that you see from
the window"
"And whatlwas he doing there?"
HE went there to make himself agreea.
bic to the young girl whom he wishes to
marry"
''And she loves him?"
''She will certainly love him, for he is sc
handsome, and then he rides splendidly.'
'And is he wiser"
'Not overmuch; indeed he knows very
little. Your mother has often told him
that he was SO beautiful that he needed
nothing besides to make him loved"
cat what age do people marry"
cat twenty, if one wishes"
"Well, l want to be married.
''To whom?"
mo matter whom. Have me some fine
clothes made, and tell them to saddle fol
me Q magnificent horse; l am going to
ride. So they made Esop q mantle en-
broidered with gold, and led out splen.
didly caparisoned Arabian.
He eagerly donned his handsome suit,
sprapg on his horse, and then, as he said,
started off to seek his fortunes.
1t was scarcely two hours after when the
boy returned bitterly weeping, his elegant
mantle sadly torn and covered with mud.
''What is the matter, my poor MASTER"
cried his servant.
ooh! am very miserable"
"What has happened?"
II have seen q beautiful young girl,
rosy as the down, and serene as the starry
night. She was at her balcony when I
passed, so I looked at her with eyes full OF
admiration. I joined my hands in sup
plication. Iwould have given my life for
her. But when she saw me she burst into
laughter; then I spurred my horse so fast
that fell off and rolled on my back"
''You have hurt yourself!'
"Never mind that. The laugh of the
Young girl has wounded me SO that l feel
nothing else. My friend, want to die. "
THAT is not possible"
"Why not?"
First, because you would be lost for
killing yourself, and then you have still
many years to live"
"Who says so?"
1.-The magician"
"What magician
Then the old servant told the boy the
history of his birth and baptism, and the
family council over his cradle.
sWhat will become of me them" said
poor Esop.
s.Shall 1 give you some advice?" con-
tinued the kindly old man. Gas you can
not enjoy the pleasures tina. your brother
lives for, you must seek comfort else
where; your soul is pure and good, though
your body is, deformed so if you learn the
art of charming, through your soul, the
best men will envy you the gift.
"Well, in my place, what would you
do?"
II would learn to play the flute"
"What, blow into a bit Of wood like
blind beggar! That would make my cheeks
as ugly as my back.
ut is, however, fine instrument"
s.But there must be others"
Eyes; there is the harp"
"What is that like!"
When the old man explained, Esop said,
Bring me harp"
The poor boy was SO sad that he felt the
need Of pouring out his sorrows in some
way, even if he had no human ear to listen
% him. With the instinct which God gives
o the suffering soul, and to the poet, for
ooesy and pain are sisters, he soon learned
% express himself in song, while his fin
.ers produced the sweetest musical accom-
,animents to the equally lovely voice. His
,eart would swell with the Hottest strains.
While his sapphire eyes gistened with
motion.
Grief had made him a poet, and his love
Don found voice in delicious ballads,
'ritten n praise of the young girl that he
ia seen on the balcony. When he fin
shed singing, he would allow his head to
Troop in his hands, while he dreamed.
Some one knocked at the door.
"Who sings here?" said sweet voice.
1T is L" said poor Esop.
''And who are your"
II ana the elder son of the Count"
'.Ah! poor child, will you ever forgive
ne?" said the retreating voice.
"Who is the woman that speaks so
adly?" demanded the young man.
lit is q repentant mother, replied the
Id servant
"She repents of what?''
.Of having so long neglected her son.
1T is my mother, then?'
eyes, my poor boy"
"Ah! it is blessed day! She speaks to |
re at last" Afterward, while Esop sat |
roaming at the window, he saw the maids |
f the Countess scattering flowers on his |
sual walk.
The next day he took his harp and be- |
an new song, but it was gayer than |
nat of the day before. One might have
aought that he was basking in his moth
rs smiles. Scarcely had he finished his
ome one knocked at the door. "Who is
1ere?" he asked.
Il, your brother" replied cross voice.
'sAnd what will your"
Il wish that you would be quiet. My
dy-love is here, and your song will
anoy her." Having said this, my Lord
hGbus returned to the grand salon,
here his father and mother, with the
ady Angelique, waited him.
"Where have you been?" said the young
ri, poutingly.
II have been to silence the fellow who
as singing"
"Why have you done that?"
Because I thought the noise would
lnoy you"
"On the contrary, I like it very much.
is ravisting. Can you not sing like
at?"
.'No. Why should II"
Because I am determined that will
1t marry you until you can"
Phoebus did not know what to do, for