The star of Pascagoula. [volume] (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1873-1878, 1878-03-08
CIaude's Fate.
Translated from the French of Jules Caretie
by Arthur Duren for The N. q. Times.

by Arthur Durien for The n q. Times.
His name was Jean-Claude Men,
nicr, and he lived in the BOurg OF
~irian, where his father owned a
farm. He was already a full grown
boy, delicate and bashiul, aud al
though twenty years Of age, or over,
he hardly dared to speak to Cath
crime Bernard, whom he adored.
Catherine was a very lively and
good>hearted little brunette. She
liked Claude Mennier, but it was
only friendship, and that was not
what Claude asked. That is, mis-
take, he asked nothing.
He loved Catherine. that was all.
He loved her because she was kind
and pretty, and because she called
him dear Claude" and would not
laugh at him, like most of the girls
in the village generally did. He
loved her because-well, because be
loved her.
Much talk was going on then in
the whole canton ABOUT smart Pla.
cial, the handsome farmer whom no
girl could resist.
Placial was a style, good talker
fine dancer and magnificent singer.
None like him could animate a par,
ty so much so that he was called
"lhe key of hearts, H. laughed at
the sobriquet, and was none the less
proud.
One day smart Placial noticed
that Catherine Bernard was pretty.
He at once made up his mind that
ihc should love him. As the poor
girl was kind and creduIois she
soon loved him, but soon repeated.
Placlal abandoned her.
She grew pale and sad she looked
like a flower at the hands of death.
Now Catherine" said Claude
Mennier to her one day. You are
very much afflicted, and you keep
to yourself the secret OF your troub~
les. Am | not your friend ? And
can't you allow me to bear half Of
your sorrows?
She looked at him, her eyes gilt,
tering with telrs. He seemed so
kind and afflicted that she spoke.
She told Claude everything, and
Claude was so struck that lie thought
he would die.
"Ah poor Catherine ~ he
crying like a child.
Poor Catherine poor Catherine r.
She told him she was soon to be,
come a mother, and that her father,
Did B. rnard, would shortly know
everything.
No. said Claude, che will know
He went to meet Placial, aud
said to him
You must marry Catherine"
Placial burst out laughing.
"Do you refuse?' Placial kept on
"WelI," said Claude.
you are a coward and a william
Don't speak to me in the street, or
n slap you'll"
He sprang out and ran to Ber-
lard s residence. Catherine was
here. Monsieur Bernard" said
e, Il am not rich, but like to
york. | love your daughter Cath-
rlne, and would be happy to have
er as my wife. Would you con,
ent 10 it p
Take her." replied old Bernard.
The wedding took place quietly,
one attending but the family
| ter all was over Claude said to
is wife: Dear Catherine, past is
asst. Let all be lorgotton the
lture is ours. I will love you
orever, and if you only love me a
tile | will be happy" {
Six month later Catherine gave
irth to a boy. 1t created a big {
'andal in Sirian, aid mauy laughed
t II heartily. PIaclal laughed more :
nd louder than the rest. But one
ay Claude small Claude, with thin
'atures, blonde hair and serene !
,oks, seized GATHERINGS sedueer by
le throat and forced him to be |
lent.
THIS occurred in the square before
large crowd. Smart PIacial got |,
} from the ground, badly bruis d U
id utterly covered with blood, b
midst most shameful shouting. I
Since that event none dared C
ugh at Claude except in low C
mes. Il was wrong to get mad" a
ought Claude, "it is tue. But it n
as not be insulted it was Cath /,
ine." a
Il Il. ! ,