The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-03-23

the departure took place on the day
named, and at the minute indicated.
1t was beautiful morning in Sep
tember. The air was full of balmy
odors, thousands of little birds flew from
branch to branch with lively chirpings
and joyful tapping of wings, and the
sun, which rose in a sky of purple and
gold, seemed wonderful topaz taken
from the ]ewel-boxes of the Almighty.
"How fragrant it is here" said Mes
nard, whose nostrils dilated with pleas
ure. The fact is, that for two unhappy
noses, condemned to inhale Partisan
dust all the year, this morning odor
was better than all the perfumes OF
Arabia.
"What beautiful green are the
meadows What rich tints What an
endless expanse of emeralds How
pleasant TO gaze upon, especially when
one is reduced, like us, in point OF YER
dure, to the olive coat of the head clerk
and the leather cushion of the second
clerk"
Miserable man Why do you speak
of second clerk and head clerk ?" inter
rupted Rondeau. 81 am no longer q
clerk; am shepherd, and answer to
the pretty name of Nemorin. would.
give the latest and whitest lamb of my
future flock to hear an air performed on
the flute, the shepherd's-pipe or the bag
pipe. It seems to me that all other
sound would be misplaced in this beau
tiful country. All, heavens p
"What is the matterp"
"Can I believe my eyes?"
zone can always believe his eyes. But
what is the matter with your"
"a flock of sheep, Of real sheep, is
coming this way. Why, instead of
browsing on the tender grass of the field
do they travel like us, in the dust of the
road Let us ask the shepherd"
Having fastened forward they ap-
preached an individual OF wicked mien,
who did not carry crook, but instead,
his left hand was armed with formida-
BILE club.
shepherd Cordyn," said Gabriel,
'let us rest moment in this charming
spot. While we are taking shelter in
this old beech tree, your lambs can Craze
on the thyme and towering cytisus, and
then they can quench their thirst in the
stream OF pure water"
The shepherd Corydon fastened on his
interlocutor look of suspicion, and
twirled his club menacingly
"What What r said he; II have no
time to gable. They are waiting at the
slaughter-house for me and my compan-
ions. I am not Corydon; am butch
er. A couple of fools p he grumbled,
while moving off. sneering at them.
The two men walked on for some time
in silence. Suddenly, and with one ac-
cord, they stopped and listened:
"a thrush" said Mesnard in a low
voice.
''No; it is a nightingale. What light
ness in its roulades What grace in its
trills r
"What melodious accents p
Must 1 acknowledge it to you'll
have never seen nightingale"
IT have seen one in the museum of
natural history. 1t was stuffed"
"That's strange" observed Gabriel.
ST could swear to have heard already
some part of the air that our nightingale
is singing" And he commenced to hum
it between his teeth:
'"Tra, la. Ia, la-tra, la, la, 10. What
is that air ?"
"Eh! l remember it now" exclaimed
Mesnard. cit is 'L'Amant d'Amanda."
"On my word you are right. 1t is
some bird escaped from concert hall.
1t seems to prove that with patience you
can teach certain birds any song"
1T have curiosity to see this nightin-
gale. Where do the sounds come from,
Gabriel ?"
From that hedge there"
Mesnard picked up stone and threw
it with all his strength in the direction
indicated. A cry was heard behind the
thicket. The two tourists stood stupe-
fed.
''Sacrebleuw said q famous voice,
"you have Just missed breaking my
skull" At the same time appeared lit
tie old man. With his right hand he
rubbed his head, and in his left he hold
bassoon, hung by black string to one
of the buttons of his coat. Gentlemen"
said the little old man. may venture
to ask why you stoned me in that man
ner? What is my offense? It may be
that you dislike the baseoou; but 1 love
it, and I wish you to observe that the
country ID for every one; therefore have
q perfect right to amuse myself by max
ing the neighboring echoes resound with
the harmonious notes OF my favorite in
strument." .
"Oh, sirl No excuses, / pray you"
said Gabriel. my friend took ypu for .
thrush, and for . nightingale"
They hastened away, while the artist,
who had never enjoyed o similar graft
flcnkion Oriad In them in the sweetest