Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-07-23
BLEUETS FIRST LOYE.

BLEUE7'S FIRST LOVE.
Translated from the French Of Henry Murgerl
blouse Of blue stuff Of an elegant cut and
stylishly fastened about the waist by mar
row belt. cap Of blue velvet ornamented
with a silk tassel, and pantaloons of blue
cloth-such was invariably our hero's cos
tune and to it he owed his soubriquet. At
the time this history begins Bleuet was a
pretty school-boy of ten years, whose nature
and character gave the lie to his humble or-
gin. His manners naturally affected Of such
phrases may be used), his delicacy, his fine
features and the choice turn Of his language
were not those of child of the people, and
one would have readily taken him for the
heir of some rich and noble house, so much
of the superb was there in his little person.
This defect, which, however, was merely So
perfcial, was due to blind maternal tender
ness. But, after oil, is pride a defect? At
any rate, Bleuets pride preserved him from
street-corner companiOnships which are form
ed between the children of the same neigh
borhood, and the result was that he knew
nothing of the picturesque but vulgar vocab-
ulary of the Paris gamin
In the same house with Bleuet, and on the
first fiat, lived Mile. B, whose father was
then travelling. This charming lady had not
trinity which forced her to keep her room.
She had broken leg through fall, and the
physician had condemned her to almost abSo-
Lutte motionlessness. Confded by her father
to the care of a governess, she received at rare
intervals only the visits of a few intimate
friends of her family. The young invalid,
who was terribly weary Of her isolation,
thought one day that she would make the ac-
quaintance of her youthful neighbor, whom
she had surprised many times standing at
her window while she was singing. So she
asked her goyerness to invite the school-boy
to visit her. But Bleuet judged it to be in
good taste to extort a more pressing invita-
ton, and desired TO know the ladys motive
for wishing TO see him.
''She has q service to ask of you," answer
ed the governess at a hazard.
But" said Bleuet, 'why don't she come
here and ask it OF me herself p
Mile b cannot walk, or she certainly
would have come so be good enough to step
down to her for an instant"
Very well. Tell her from me that shall
do myself the honor to call upon her present
ly."
The governess retired, greatly astonished
at the fashion in which the droll lad had re-
ceived the invitation. She told Mile B
all about it.
Bleuet uhuc MS tOllCl. ne pOInhucu
self for an hour, put on gloves and got very
angry with his mother because she would not
let him carry cane.
"What can she want with me z" he asked
himself, as he gave the bell a violent pull.
The femme de chambre answered the sum
mons.
Announce me to your mistress" said the
school-boy, briefly.
The servant looked at him with mocking
air, and in a voice more mocking still an
nounced:-
IN Bleuet."
''You sent for me, mademoiselle," said the
school-boy, when he found himself in the
presence of the pretty invalid.
"Yes, monsieur, and l hope you will par
don me for the arrangement l have caused
you have great service to ask Of you, and
as it has been represented to me that you are
a very amiable young man, / have dared to
hope that you would not refuse me-"
Bleuet, who had pushed away the arm
chair, that had been offered him, stood as
straight as an / before the lady and as
he did not lack certain amount OF tact, al
though he felt hattered by the pOlteness oi
his reception, he had the idea that all these
fine praises might simply serve as a cover fol
some trick. Hence he held himself on his
guard, and was ready to return fire should il
become necessary.
"Munsieur." resumed Mile B, with
difficulty preserving a serious countenance,
''this is what beg of your politeness. You
have very handsome voice, and wish you
to teach me how to sing Meet Me by Moon
light Alone ="
For an instant, despite his self possession,
Bleuet was Disconnected he had not expect
ed anything like this. A flush of purple
mounted TO his face. But Mile B, who
was brave young lady, wasn't in the leas
| frightened at the terrible glance the school
boy shot at her with all the fire of his blacl
eyes. She continued, calmly
"Yes, would like to know that beautiful
song which you sing so well, and you will b'
exceedingly obliging if you will teach it tC
me. Besides, l will pay you for your les
| sons"
At the word pay, Bleuet commenced Il
beat the floor with his feet, which indicated
the highest degree in the thermometer of hi
anger.
"Yes, viii pay you two cakes lesson !"
Bleuet grew scarlet and looked around fo
something to break.
"well, NJ Bleuet, you do not answer" saiC
the invalid.
But suddenly she saw that she had gon,
too far with the sensitive child. Her limo
cent pleasantly had deeply wounded Beuet'
| self-love. He burst into tears and fell upol
the carpet in violent convulsions When h'
revived he found himself half lying on a di
van, his head leaning upon the bosom of Mil
b, who was making him smell salts. Oh
finding himself in the young lady's arm
the school-boy felt singular sensation. How
did he get there He could not tell, but h.
certainly liked the sensation, for to prolonI
the charm of his position he feigned a swooI
which no longer existed, and for quite
while he saw the glances of Mile B fixe'
upon him with infinite tenderness and inqui
etude.
And he heard her murmur many times
'Poor child Poor child !"
Her caressing voice, her beautiful whit
hands, and her balmy breath which swept hi
face, all awoke in poor Bleuet a eommotiOl
before unknown TO him but his excitemen
was increased when the bewitching young la
dy, greatly alarmed at his pallor and motion
lessness, strove to restore him by layishini
upon him all those charming cajoleries o
language which women know how TO inven
to appease children. And seeing that he dit
not stir and that he still kept his eyes closed
| Miss b, more disturbed than ever, clasp