Middletown transcript., 1876-03-04

TRANSLATED from the French for the Graphic.]
On the 9TH of January. 177G. at the
feas, Of the Epiphany. there occurred
on board the French frigate Heron. as
she lay at the pier previous to her de-
parture from France, a scene piquaut
enough to merit recital
All the officers whose services were
not in actual demand we're promenaG-
ing the quarterback. smoking. chat
ting. and otherwise Willing away the
time, when suddenly young midsbip-
man mounted the gang plank from the
pier, crying, Hats off. gentlemen
hats off (! the Queen approaches" Yet,
strange to say. Marie Arithmetic bad
not quilted Versailles, for at that mo-
mrnt she might have been found 10 u
corner of the chateau. under the shell
ter of etiquette. playing high comedy
en- famite, taking the cue from Count
d'Ariois, and having for prompter the
Count de Provence, her brothers.in-
law. She filled the principal roe in
lie Desin du Village Village
Suothsayer-aud sang with feeling:
'sJ'ai perdu mon serviteur,
J'ai perdu tout mon bonheur,'-
words which she had occasion after
wards to repeat often enough. poor un-
fortunate Queen. who had already fall
len In history. and was destined soon
to fall in drama as full of poetry. as
beautiful and more pure than that of
Marie Stuart.
Who. then, was the usurper? Who.
1,2UO leagues from Versailles. had
taken up the sceptre which the legiti-
mate Queen had for an instant aban
doned for shepherds crook? Let US
hasten to assure the reader that there
was no imposition. no crime nor high
treason there the royalty that honored
the Heron with its presence was only
the fugitive royalty of the bean" !"
which BY chance had fallen to pretty
Creole of Martinique. a relative Of the
captain, who, under the charge of an
aged aunt. was journeying to the me-
tropolis in vague search for fortune
and inheritance.
In truth. it was to be regretted that
the young Queen was only playing
queen. for she carried her high and
novel honors with grace which Cath
crime II, or Marie Theresa might have
envied
''On your knees. beautiful page"
said she. addressing the youth who bad
announced her; ''do you not see that
| have dropped my glove? Approach.
my ministers, and do not smile, for the
question to be discussed is a grave one
love my subjects. and. do you hear.
desire above all things that my sub
jects love me in return; we must then
decide as to whether shall wear blue
or a white rosette to gain their homage
How is this? 1t seems that ms Prime
Minister permits himself to puff the
smoke Of tobacco into the nostrils of his
sovereign in lieu Of incense" And
thus. with thousand innocent sallies,
with thousand little coquetries, did
she canse the old sailors 10 laugh SO
heartily and long that the fire Of their
pipes died out, aud they forgot to re-
light them.
But one who seemed to enjoy the
sport more than the rest was Pierre
Hello. native of Breton. an old seq
dog with more scars than wrinkles.
who upon that very morning had re-
ceived a medal of honor-a tardy ac-
knowlsdgment of bis long service-and
who. for that reason. had been admitted
as guest to the captains table for the
day.
Marie Rose. as the little lady was
called. listened breatI.letsly to the WON
derful stories related BY the old man
Of wars man. and had complimented
and caressed him until the heart Of the
old sailor palpi'ated with as much emo
tion at the praises Of this young beauty
as at the moment he received his medal
He alone waited upon her. and. indeed.
upon him devolved the entire care Of
the child. owing to the fact of her
annt's being a sufferer from gout and
unable to leave her comfortable chair,
where she spent most of her time read
ing the life Of her favorire saint, Angus
tine, only looking up from time to time
TO cry. This way. Minette! this way.
Marie Rose" as she saw her cat or her
niece chasing sunbeam.
But Marie Rose, with that daring
and perfect freedom possessed by most
young girls of her age. one moment
would climb up the cordage. balancing
herself on the ropes. while brave Pierre
watched from below ready to catch her
in his arms should she be blown down
to the deck. or to jump overheard
should she fall into the sea. Then.
firing Of that. she would amnse the un-
employed officers or men with song
or dance. until attentive Pierre SEEM
ed suddenly to have found intelligence
enough to comprehend the verses and
appreciate the grace of the little elf
The day following that Of her mock
coronation Marie Rose seemed sad and
disp;rited. and her old friend Pierre
was at loss to know what trouble
affected his favorite. She. observing