The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-09-16

stood that the scale of prices varied, accordin G
| to the length, character, and amount OF
passion infused into the compositions. Inc
role PLAYED by the Ecrivain public may be de-
scribed as cut between that of the barber of
the Middle Ages and of the confessor He
knew the affairs of he Quarter, and was &C
quainted with its most intimate secrets. For
over quarter of century he had made out
its bills, he had written its letters OF love, OF
sorrow and of appeal. Pere and Mere Per
rault knew the important man by sight, but 1t
was the first time they had crossed the TIRES
hold of his sanctum The procession that had
| followed at their heels waited outside as they
passed within.
Behind a table Uttered with some thumbed
volumes and writing materials sat the learned
man. L'Ecrivain public was habby and round
| of limb his scarce locks issued from faded
| green cap, his beard was abundant, and his
| round spectacles impressive. L'Ecrivain pub
| lie had wide experience OF letters, and he
seemed to recognize at a glance that this was
| an important communication Pere Perrault
| grudgingly handed to him, while MS wife put
| a two-sous piece on the table He looked over
| his spectacles from the neat and formal super
| scrption toward the two old people, and then
| deliberately broke the seal
| The finelv-balanced voice of the EcriYain
public shook little as he read aloud that the
Sous-Prefect OF SceauX, having communicated
wi the Marie of the XIlIth ACCOMPLISHMENT
of Paris, and ascertained that Jean Desire
Perrault was still i've, pursuing the calling
of chifOnicr. He now announced to him that
by the death, few weeks previous, of his
brother Armand Leon he inherited the sum of
5000 francs. ''VOila, my friend, allow me to
offer YOU my best congratulations, " said the
Ecrivain, who possessed fine tact and power
of expression.
Pere Perrault remained without finding a
word to say, looking drowsily at the speaker.
Three thousand !" cried Mere Per-
| rault, catching her breath. "Who ever heard
the like-three thousand francsl"
at is pretty sum. 1t is not often I have
TO read such news to my customers, said the
Ecrivain.
Still Pere Perrault remained silent, looking
stupidity at the learned man with the round
spectaclcS and the flowing beard. Presently
he muttered "Eh, say that again. Three
thousand francs-threc thousand francs,n but
the words did not seem to bring any meaning
to his mind. eyes, there it is, quite in form.
never read better written letter and have
experience" said the Ecrivain.
"Butyes-yes, it is clear as the day." shouted
Mere Perraut in her husbands ear, tapping
the palm Of her left hand with her closed right
INST. Your brother, the miser, who would not
lend you flew miserable francs when you were
without a sou, is dead-yes, dead, aud has left
you three thousand francs, you understand
three thousand francs; and to emphasize this
information Mere Perraut hit her left palm
with succession of little knocks from her
right.
The energetic clearness of his wife did not
communicate itself to Pere Perrault. "Yes-
yes, three thousand francs" he repeated in
the same mechanical fashion without re-
sponsive CLEAN in his eyes. He remained
standing where he was, asking no question
making no movement; but fOX-like keenness
had suddenly developed itself in Mere Per
rault. The money must not be sent to the
house; she had grown fearful Of thieves, she
had become SDipiOne fha
OF the Ecrivain public to take charge of the
sum and place it in the Caisse d'Epargne She
all at once recognized the virtue of spiritual
authority, and eizing her husband by the tail
oil his blouse, announced her intention of
going to see Monsieur lie Cure A feverish
movement on the part of Pere Perrault re-
vealed that through his dulled senses an APP
probation OF his good fortune had entered.
The Ecrivain public, on returning the letter.
let the string that bound the registered en-
yelope fall on the floor With trembling haste
the chitfonier ducked under the table, and
with shaking fingers clutched it, as if it, too
were precious.
Mere Perrault did not pause to tell the news
to the eager lOiterers outside, but with firm
hold OF her husband made her way to the pres
byterS Monsieur lie Cure was at the door
Just going out, but he turned back and
listened with interest to the old womans
story. His efforts to minister to the spiritual
needs of the Moufetardians were not appreci-
ated by this Bohemian section of his flock, but
he was man of indulgent turn of mind,
gullelessly eager to do good without claiming
any tribute Of gratitude. He now felt sure
that for the speedy and more secure payment
of the legacy there would be certain formal
ties to be gone through by this wdeawalle |
woman and upid looking man which it was |
probable they would blunder over alone. He |
therefore once more put on his shovel hat and |
babe them come with him to the Mayoralty of |
A lice Mo- IL a.,
during the walk gave to the old people as to |
the placing of their money were addressed to |
the wife, Tor the husband seemed too daZed to |
understand as he Stalked along dumbly clutch |
ing the letter against his chest. At the Marie |
he authorities soon confined their questions |
to Mere Perrault, apparently judging the old |
man to be a lii lie removed from an idiot, who |
could do nothing but feebiy reiterate the |
questions put to him. Still, that the chtfonier |
was not ignorant OF the chan e that had come |
IN his Tor une was again NANTES ed by his |
obstinate refusal to give up into the keeping |
OF the civil authorities, in return for formal |
receipt thereof, the lie er he had received that |
morning. 1t required, to induce him to part |
with the precious document, the fluent and |
vivid representations of his wife that it was |
guarded by the Church in the person of Mon
sler lie Cure by the law in that of tue officials |
surrounded by books and rolls of paper, and |
by the army in the sentines posted at the door |
OF the Marie.
The news of the legacy told to some of the
loiterers by the Ecrvain public had preceded |
the old couple on their return to the Rue |
Moutletard. The quarter was on the tiptoe of |
excitement. sudden regard for Pere Per-
rault had developed itself in the community. |
Mere Perrault noted how the old man was |
treated with arespect he had Geye been treat
ed with before. The garyohe of Pere Michael |
was the resort of chiffoniers on holiday occa- |
sions. Thither Pere Perrault went at the in |
vtation of his friends to talk over the big |
question how to spend 5000 francs 1t was |
iet due to the community to consider the |
question as one OF public Interest to be prop |
ery discussed only before a table on which |
stood brandy and petit win bleu. The Mouffe- |
tardlans are silent race for one of ,iallic ORR
gin, but they can come out volubly on occa-
lions with speech literally strewn with !
SapriStS and other explosives, to which the |
rumble OF RS gives distant semblance to |
the mutter of artillery.
The health of Pere Perrault was drunk with
accl ,mation. Pere Perrault acknowledging
the honor by drinking to it himself. 1t was |
repeated with emphasis that the chiffonier was |
an honor to the community. He deserved his |
luck And 1t was remembered how on two |
occaslpns-once when he found a silver tea |
spoon in dustheap, and an ,ther time silver |
tork-he had with the proceeds of their sale |
treated his friends. 1t was hoped that on this |
occasion OF his good fortune he would not be |
found tagging behind; for, said Pere Blot. the |
orator OF the quarter, "rhe word fraternity
is falsehood when the good luck OF one |
OF It's members is not the good luck of