The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-07-21
The STORY OF A AGRASSHOpPEU.

Somewhere about the year 1894 one
might have found half-hidden among
the trees in the magnificent park at
Versailles, a tiny cottage of Swiss archi-
lecture. Had any French peasant been
asked the question as to who owned this
fancilul dwelling, the reply would have
heen given, g T at is the dairy of Dame
CSpetw
And, as the reader may at once sur
mise, this Dame Capet was no less
parsonage than the lovely but untortu-
nate queen, Marie Antoinette.
Here, Cne summer afternoon long
ago. was assembled n group of women,
whom by their rustic attire you would
have called peasant-girls, were it not
for the indescribable high bred air
about their words and actions.
The room in which they were gath-
cred was large and sunny, the floor was
OF black. walnut-highly polished and
here and there were tables covered with
thin slabs of marble, upon which were
placed silver and porcelain pans, con-
tanning creamy white milk from the
sleek cows browsing outside the dwell
ing.
One beautiful young girl, whose fair
complexion showed in fine contrast TO
her blue dress, las skimming the cream,
while three other ladies-one, plump
and rosy, the other, tall, thin and angu-
lar, and The third, petite and piquante-
stood, with elbows resting on the mar
bile slabs, watching her
These four were respectively, Eliza
beth. the kings sister, Madame Campan,
the Duchess de Polignac, and the Prin-
cess Lambella.
But in this little dairy cottage all titles
were laid aside.
Auothe6 group was gathered at the
table by the window. Here the queen,
d graceful woman, with merry face and
rich brown hair, wearing costume OF
blue and russell, was molding the golden
butter into balls, each stamped with
rose, or some other design OF flower CT
fruit.
Scarcely had she finished the last yell
low pat ere there was a noise of foot
steps at the vinearched doorway. The
ladies glanced up and welcomed with
silvery laughter and gay words the
party of gentlemen, who now entered
ia rustic costume, bearing loose blouses,
and with rustic ribbons upon their
hats.
WELCOME ALI" cried the queen,
gayly, brandishing her butter ladle.
"All save Monsieur de Lanier," she
added, in an aside to a young girl who
stoon near her.
The person whom she addressed was.
rs we have said, young, and, besides
tlf4e, she was extremely beautiful, with
perfect features, delicate pink-and-pearl
complexion, large, soft, blue eyes, and
with masses of shining, bronze-brown
hair, half concealed by coauettish
. little lace-cap adorned with crimson
ribbons. He dress was a black delaine,
looped over quilted, crimson petticoat,
so short that it displayed a pair OF
dainty feet encased in tiny slippers,
with high heels and gay, crimson
rosettes. Her blue eyes flashed, and
she said, in low tones
- Yes, your majesty-I mean Dame
Capet-Monsieur de Lanier is never well
coined by me, Louis d'Argent."
You did right to refuse him, cherie.
No one could endure such a bear for 8
husband" said the queen, glancing
= toward n tall, gaunt man, whose thin
iercely compressed lips, thick, bristling
eyebrows and fierce, deep set eyes made
his face most unprepossing one.
"But what strange creature has hi
with himp exclaimed the queen, hel
bright eyes widening with astonish
ment And then, curiosity overcoming
dislike. she call I'd out Pray, Monsieur
de Lanier, what rara avis brings yol
hitherP"
Advancing with a flourish and ;
smi k, De Lanier said:
This is no bird, your high-Dam
Capet; it is a grasshopper, Monsieu
Santerelle," pointing with mock gravit.
toward little creature, scarcely fOu
feet in height, who, besides being 81
dlminutjve in stature, was also strangel
def)rmed, having a large head set Ol
bumped shoulders, and with long, thi
arms and legs His face was small
wien and yellow, with irregular tea
tures. The only thing not repulsiv
were his eyes; these were large, brow
and mild, with that look OF dumb en-
treaty about them that one often sees i
the eyes of animals.
His costume consisted of waistcoat an
knee-breeches of pale, pea-green velve
long silk stockings, high-heeled slippers
together with a jaunty hat and ligh
airy cloak of mingled green and brow
tissue, completed his attire.
Truly, from his entire appearance,
well deserved the French name of graSi
hOpper-that is, =" lie santerelle.n
During the time of Louis XIV, an
even down to other reigns. there was
rage amongst tho nobility for dwarf