The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1881-03-25
A CLEVER COUNTESS.

Ou tue 4Cn DAY OF OcboDer, loZJ-l
love to be particular in dates-a coach
and six drew up before the shop of the
well-known jeweler, NJ, Rue st. Honore.
The equipage was covered with profu-
sion of gliding and heraldic devices, and
the Iveries of the footmen indicated
high rank in the possessor. The steps
being adjusted. a lady, sp1endidly
shop, where all the attendants, and even
M. himself, were profuse in their atten-
tions, anticipating every look and step,
and displaying before her the most costly
diamonds and pierreries.
The lady, with the most lofty moncha-
lance, selected jewels to the amount of
about $4,000, which were Immediately
placed in a casket by the obsequious at
tendants, when, handing her purse to
the jeweler, he found it contained sum
somewhat exceeding $4,000, and short of
the requisite amount. The lady, with
many graceful apologies, and momen-
tary flush of vexation, begged pardon for
the mistake-desired M. to lay the par
eel by until she should call again with
the money, and giving her name as the
Countesse de L., departed with all the
ceremony and splendor that marked her
first appearance.
The coach passed up the Rue st. Hon
ore in the direction of the Barriere Neu-
lily, turned by the Place de Louis
Quinze, and finally stopped at the house
of celebrated physician in the splendid
Rue de Rivoli. The lady alighted here,
and was shown into the presence of the
wel1-known DR.. N, who arising from his
seat at table covered with anatomical
preparations, saluted her with his usual
courtesy, and begged to know why he
was honored with this unexpected visit.
The lady, assuming an air of settled
melancholy, replied:
ST can hardly command my feelings to
tell you the cause of my unhappiness.
My dear husband, the Comte de L., dur
ing the early years of our marriage, was
all that a fond wife could desire; my
slightest word, hint or sign, was sufi-
cient inducement for him to obtain any
object of my wishes; but, latterly, the
scene is changed" here her voice be-
came nearly inarticulate through grief !;
she has become moody, silent and re-
served; at times breaking forth into vio-
lent fits of rage without any apparent
cause, thus making my life perpetual
scene of misery-in short, dear Doctor,
more than suspect he is touched with
insanity, and it is on his account that I
now visit YOU to obtain your advice.
which I consider of more weight than
that of any other member of the profess
sion" there the Doctor, much fattered,
made low, djsclaiming bow especially
as the dreadful secret has been concealed
from all his family mot even his brothers
and sisters having the slightest intima-
tion of it.
'sThe following circumstance, Doctor,
has especially influenced my present
visit My dear husband, the Comte,
wishing to support the honor of his
house, sent me last spring, to the noted
ieweler NJ, Rue st Honore, with carte
blanche to select ornaments to wear at
the approaching festival. at first hest.
tated, but finally urged by his earnest
protestations, went to-day and chose a
few, to trif1ing amount, more to please
him than myself, as he delights, the dear
Comte, there the lady sobbed) in seeing
me splendidly dressed and supporting my
rank. But from the many similar in
stances I have observed, 1 have not the
least doubt that. on being reminded of
the fact he will Dretand ,1tter incrednl-
ity. and on being assured of the truth.
burst into these terrible proxysms which
but too clearly indicate the cause of his
disorder. Therefore, dear Doctor, favor
me with your best, kindest advice, and
-and-excuse the feelings of q wife"
Here the lady applied her handkerchief
to her face and was silent. \
The Doctor. crossing his legs and sup
porting his chin upon his gold headed
cane. began to cooitate. with his ewes
half closed and his BODY inclinine for
ward at an angle of forty.fiye DEGREES.
sHum-madame. confine him-indeed
we must-a clear case. madame-the hu-
mors. which. had they been pituital or
saliyary. would have been expectorated.
having become sanguineous and me1an-
choIic. having retrograded upon the GER
ebellum-hem-n-b excuse me. mad
anne. while make the necessary prepa->
rations.'
So saving. the Doctor arose. runp a
bell. and directed his valet to see his
cbariot al the door and TO order Jean Ie
nortenr and Francois le cocber 10 attend
him immediateIv ssand lnark We said he
in an undertone. sstelI them to bring all
my apparatus des lunatics. depechez.
and let them follow in my chariot.
will avail myself of the carriage of the
Comtesse' (the lady made a bow of CRATE
full acknowledpmentl. ssand be careful to
remain in the ante.room ELL I call
aIond.n
The servant retired. and. in a few min
utes announced everything ready. The