, 1882-03-17

It was a 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 sky of purple and
gold, seemed wonderful topaz taken
from the jewel-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 l answer to
the pretty name of Nemorin. / would
give the fattest and whitest lamb OF my
future flock to hear an air performed on
the flute, the shepherd rd's.pipe or the bag
pipe. It seems to me that all other
sound would be misplaced in this beau.
tiful country. All, heavens
"What is the matter ?"
Scan / believe my eyes?"
"One can always believe his eyes. But
what is the matter with you?"
"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; 81 have no
time to gabble. They are waiting at the
slaughter. house for me and my compan-
ions. 1 am not Corydon; am butch
err. A couple of fools y 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 low
voice.
mo; it is nightingale. What light
ness in its roulades What grace in its
trills r. -.
Nvhut rnclodious accents r.
Must l acknowledge it to you'll
have never seen q nightingale"
"I have seen one in the museum of
natural history 1t was stuffed"
"Thats strange" observed Gabriel.
IT 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, Ia. Ia, la--tra, 10, Ia, 10, What
is that air ?"
"Eh remember it now," exclaimed
Mesnard. "It is 'L'Amant d'Amanda." "
"On my word you are right. II is
some bird escaped from concert hall
1t seems to prove that with patience you
can teach certain birds any song"
II 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 famous voice,
"you have Just missed breaking my
skull" AT the same time appeared a lit
tie old man. With his right hand he
rubbed his head, aRd in his left he held
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? II may be
that you dislike the bassoon; but love
it, and wish you to observe that the
country is for every one; therefore / have
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 you fora
thrush, and for q nightingale"
They fastened away, while the artist,
who had never enjoyed q similar graft
fication, cried to them in the sweetest
voice:
II am Eberle, professor Of the bas-
soon, and 'fagotto primo in the orches-
ira OF the theater, at your service"
After an hour of walking, they espied
toyarn which thev entered for refresh.