The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-23
TWO GALLO COCKNEYS.
THEIR IDYLLIC VIEWS OF THE COUNTRY
AND THE GUILELEss PEASANTS.

One Saturday, toward D O'Clock IN the
afternoon, Alphonse Mesnard came out
10 fthe Ministry of Commerce, and when
bis feet touched the pavement, he
skipped and bounded with step so light
and agile that it would have prevented
Morpheur from sleeping. On the same
day, at the same hour, Gabriel Rondeau
crossed the threshold of the Ministry of
the Navy, and no sooner did he reach the
street than he burst forth, with full
voice, into a chromatic scale of winch
Mario might have been jealous. Ii the
evening these two men met ut the Ma
billie ball.
Gabriel" said Mesnard, "the Minis
er of Commerce is great minister"
''Alphonse," responded Rondeau, "the
Minister of the Navy must be greater
STILL
"Do you know what measure has
been determined on by the eminent ad-
ministrator under whose orders I work
at the rate Of eighteen hundred lives
year?"
"And you, do you know the decision
taken this very day by the illustrious
mariner who employs me at his Office at
the rate Of one hundred and fifty francs
o month";"
lie has allowed me leave of absence
of six weeks"
= ''He has consented to deprive himself
of my valuable services for about thirty
days" ,.,. ,1
have six weeks at my disposal, whence
consider that my minister is greater than
yours by sixth"
"a mistake, my dear fellow. It proves
that the government can more easily
dispense with your services and intelli-
gence than mine. That's the conclu.
SION"
How do you intend to spend your va
cation?"
81 have only one desire. 1t is to flee
from Paris and its suburbs. Born in
the heart of the city. nearly twenty-six
years ago, I do not remember to have
passed the limits of the department of
the Seine. Will you believe it? am
acquainted only with sheep in the form
Of 1eg-of-mutton and chop. / know that
it 10 quadruped which has wool on its
back. but know il only by hearsay. It
is shameful to confess, but it is true.
am sick of politics, literature, civiliza-
ton, theaters, newspapers, and, above
aspiciamr Which shall allow myself
to translate in this way: When shall
drink some unadulterated milk in the
shade of an old moss grown tree?"
s'Give me your hand" said Rondeau.
IT, too, have hungered for verdure, for
, the open air, and for the warm sun. If
you were born on the left bank of the
Seine, 1 was born on the right. My
Il long travels have been confined to the
suburbs of the city. Once 1 went as far
as Versailles. My family accompanied
me to the depot, and our parting was
heartrending. But, by my faith, to-day
that is Of no consequence l have va
cation, you have vacation. Let us take
wing, and bless the ministers who have
given us this leisure"
"Where shall we 60? Italy is very
far"
"Let me attend to that A friend has
invited me to go and see him. You can
come TO Mesangerie with me-"
''But do not know your friend"
II shall present you and then you can
make his acquaintance.
"Will that suffice?"
"'Parbluer Before we were intro
duced to each other did not know him
any more than you know him now"
ssThat is so. Where does he live?"
Gin Potion. Oh, Alphonse Do you
appreciate your good fortune You are
going to behold landscapes which will
not revolve ON themselves like the
diorama. We shall roll ON the moss and
in the hay. shall behold the woods
I. Who to this day have eeen the elm
only after being cut into laths."
LET US start tomorrow" exclaimed
Mesnard, enraptured with this rural
picture.
Agreed" said Rondeau. "To-mor-
row, then, at seven O'Clock, at the Or
leans Station, and may we travel in the
Z company Of charming women, Is do the
heroes Of romance in the newspapers of
the day"
"Alphonse, forewarn You that re-
serve the brunette for myself"
''That il fortunate, Gabriel, for love
blondes only"
Vain illusion They travelled with .
commercial drummer. . tutor, an army
officer, and an insurance agent. A. for
charming women, there vas not shad-
on Of one. The more beautiful half Of
humanity Was represented only by .
venerable gray-haired nun, buried under
the severe folds VI her robe.
After short stay in the city, the two
friends intended to proceed to Mosan-
geris. Between Alphonse and 0abrilc
the following had been agreed upon