The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1877-08-11

verv we'll. He could do needlework'
wind silk, and make netting. Finally
,thev early inculcated the love of sweet
meats and the game of the goose.
Meanwhile Adolphe grew larger lie
was i, beautiful as a Cupid, gentle as a
pirl-or.r rather as o lamb (for all girls are
not g~entEel; he cast down his eyes when
n one licked at him, and blushed
when spoken to. He was neither very
learned nor very industrious, but instead
he adored sweetmeats, and willingly
passed an hour Oh, two in playing the
game of goose with h1z Aunt Babolette'
and laughing like a fo9l when she fell
into the prison or the well. The two
aunts were enchanted witR>their pupil
"He is a jewel, a true chsEub," said
they. "He knows how to be happy, for
happiness is composed 5ot ignorance
rather than of knowledge"
Adolphs had attained the age of eighl-
teen years without ever going abroad,
except with his aunts to take a walk in
the environs. These goodaunts believed
that their beautiful nephew would thus
pass his life, without ever having other
thoughts, other ideas or desires. They
had never 1oved-only the game of the
goose and sweetmeats; they thought this
constituted happiness.
One day there was a festival in the viii
lage of E~rmenonville a peasant had
spoken a few words before Adolphe, and
he PRAYED his aunts to take him to it;
they consented. They could not foresee
that at a village Jste the mind of their
pretty boy might be filled with new
thoughts. The good La Fontaine says:
Gone cannot think of everything"
Adolphe opened his eyes with astoniSh'
3 ment upon seeing the people, the shops
l and the dancing, but he was still more
, astonished as he saw SO many pretty and
, lively young village maidens. He sud
denly cast down his eyes with emotion,
trouble and pleasure before a little face
so sweet, so interesting, and so beautiful.
that it seemed to be rather the idea
creation of a painter than the work Of
nature. This charming face was that
of ClotiIda, and Clotilda was only a lit
tie peasant girl, the daughter of a poo
but honest laborer. She was the only
= support, the only hope of her old father
- she worked diligently day and night
> having the whole care of the house; anc
when upon the day of the fete she put OF
y her red calico dress, her only adornment
- anG'took the arm of her old father il
hers, then the young girl was as happ,
as a queen. It is probable she wa
more SO.
y Adolphe, after casting down his eye
v before the pretty girl, raised them again
n and ventured to gaze upon her pure AM
10 lively face, the sight of which had cause
him such emotion. By a single chance
q Clotilda looked also at the same time q
!. the beautiful Young gentleman who WA
# near her. Love has many such chances
- Clotilda blushed also and sighed, with
n out knowing why; but the most limo
cent girl can sigh the principal thing j
that she does not know the reason why
,s Adolphe would not go away from hel
He did not wish to dance, as the littl
peasant could not, OF account of leavin
her father. Some, howevtr, urged he
to take part in the pleasures OF the day
Adolphe, upon hearing this, fastened t
invite her to dance with him. sayin
that he would fpd some one to take car
ofher father. This was not manage
- badly for a young man brought up t
wind silk.
Clotildia t%remblingly accepted hi
hand. During the dance they exchange
n a few words; but Adolphe learned onl
ID that her father was named Dumont, an
re was very poor. Clotilda ascertained tha
le her partner was called Adolphe Delvigny
= and that he was rich. The young gil
T. sighed again more deeply than before
i Perhaps this time she knew why. p
IN The dance continued a long tint; thu
20 is to say, Adolphe recommended it sever.
times with his pretty dancer, whom h
D. had the courage to secure. Meanwhile
O. the festival drew to a close; the tw
c. aunts Wishing to return home led ava
the young man, who was accustomed I
obey them. But as he left Clotilda h
10 turned his head frequently to look at ht
"a again, each time the little peasant e.
did the same also; it was ne longt
chance that made her thus act.
RS The next day Adolphe could eat BIT
q, little breakfast, and still less dinner; /
seemed sad and restless he did not wis
n to do anything, even refusing to pla
" with his aunt her favorite game, and
eat somesweetmeats newly made.
70 "This poor child is certainly sick" sal
j. his two aunts, and they overwhelme
le him with questions.
1t "Where dost thou suffer, my dear
8 What is the matter? What is it tho
wishest2 |"
v To all these questions Adolphe onl
replied
g. at do not suffer. Nothing is the ma
ter with me. I am not sick"
d "Then why art thou so sad ?"
?, al do not know" q