The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1882-08-27
THE FISHERWOMAN or HONFLeUR
ArAnE OF THE FRENCH CONFUSE.
CHAPTER |.


Honneur, opposite the port of Ilavre, in
France. For many weeks past the weather
had been tempestuous, and those who had
friends and relations at sea--and these cont
prised almost every inhabitant in the town
and the neighboripg scacoaat--had passed
many n sloeplcss night. On the previous
night however, n steam packet had arrived
at llonileur, and her captain had reported
the glad tidings that hr had that day passed
the homeward- bound Ilonleur fishing fleet
off Dieppc, all safe, and that, rs the wind
was favorable, the vessels might I've expected
to arrive in port the next morning Hence
the vast and eager concourso of tisherwomcn
from the town and the adiaccnt coast,
Among the first to leave their craft when
the vessels dropped in was a tall, handsome
young man, with laughing blue eyes, and
curly, dark brown hair, who leaped to the
wharf into the eXtcndcd arms of II pretty
girl, apparently not more than eighteen
years of age, who, as shU embraced her
lover, seemed perfectly regardless of the sur
rounding crowd.
welcome welcome home, my Antoine ~
cried the girl as she kissed her lovers
whiskered cheek. i" All, how | have prayed
and sighed for thy return! The storms
have been so severe, and we heard such bad
news, that my heart was troubled. But the
blessed Madonna hcarkencd to my prayers,
and again | behold thee safe and well. The
sight repays me for all my suiferings.h
The youthful pair released each other,
and, forcing passage through the thick of
the crowd, strolled away, side by side, in
the direction of their native village, eachw
an arm twincd around the others waist.
There was silence for Il few minutes. Both
were happy with their own thoughts.
Madeleine at length broke the silence.
"Thou hast not told me about thy voyage,
Antoine. Has it been successful ~
"Successful as | could desire, my Made.
leine," replied the young man. IF the
gales have sometimes blown iiercely, it is
what we fishermen must look for, and we
care little for the weather if other things
favor us. The good St.Antoinc st. Anthony
is regarded by the French fishermen as theil
patron saint has watched over US, and
guided our vessels safe home. And now,
hearken, Madeleine! Tell me, dearest, is
it not time that we possessed lugger of
our own ~ glancing over his shoulder to
ward the vessel he had Just quilted, whose
masts could he seen amid those of the other
craft in the port. "Will not the gains o
this voyage make up the necessary amount
Madeleine -
1t is customary among the fishermen o
the northern aud western coasts of France
on their betrothal-which usually takes
place at an carly age-to some young maidci
of their class, to place their wages at the
end of each voyage in the hands of thei
fancfes for safe keeping, reserving only villa
is sufficient for their necessary expenditure
and for the renewal of their outfits befor
they sail again, with perhaps a trille beyond
this amount, to pay for their small indul
gences and harmless recroations.
Madelaine-althourh she had bean firm
in her resolve not to wed her lover until til,
object of their mutual ambition was Sc
cured-was no coquette. 1t is now three
years ago, my Antoine" she replied to he
lovers question, " since we betrothed our
selves to each other in the chapel of Gu
Lady of Lorete. | was then but sixteen
you were nineteen years of age. shall b
twenty years old on my next birthday
three weeks hence. We have more tina
sufficient, Antoine, for the purchase of a lug
ger with everything on board complet,
without counting thy profits on this las
voyage. My poor old uncle, Pierre lie Blanc
died soon after you sailed the last time, an
the money | expected is now mine. SO on
wedding need no longer be postponed"
1t is needless TO state that the young fish
erman was moro than willing that the wed
ding should take place at the time mel
toned by his tfdncGG. In due course TIL
bans were published in the little vllag
church, and on the anniversary of her birtl
day Madeleine Letour and Antoine Dur'
were united.
A new iislling-lusger, with masts an
spars and sails and rigging complete, WI
purchased, and Antoine remained at hon
for some months after his marriage, len
urely preparing his vessel for sea, III
chiefly passing his time with his your
wi G nal with n1,inut ,f tns
ing the qualities OF the new vessel, whic
was called the Madeleine, the young iello
sailed for days fshing along the coast
but, for tho first time since he was o.
enough to go the sea, the Honllenr fleet
lugSefs sailed Tor the lar-dlstant cod-iishcl
without INN.
Lucien Fierrot was the son of rich boz
geo,s of Paris, who owned considerable pro-
erty i'll Honileur and its vicinity. Luce
was accustomed frequently to visit the tow
to receive tho rents from his fathers Tel
ants, and on other matters of business ~
though he was gambler and spendthrii
and addicted to many other vices, he was z
only son, and his father, though often
ceived, continued to place confidence in hi
During one of these visits, at the date of u
annual lonlleur fair, Lucien met with Mad
leine, who was visiting the fair with
party OF female friends, and was struC
with the grace and beauty of the your
fisher-girl. He sought to Introduce himse
to her by Offering her .riiling presents
g fairings;" but the iisher-lolk arc an e
elusive class, who hold themselves alc
from strangers. Madeleipe declined, has
fully, yet decidedly, to accept the proiler
gifts, and strove to avoid the young man
attentions. In no wise Disconnected, no
ever, Lucien, taking advantage of the licen
allowed at fair-tme, attached himself to Il
party, in the hope of inducing Madeleine
look more fayorably upon him, 10y ingra
ating himself with her companions.
this gallantry was, however, thrown ava
The young woman took no heed of him, al
separated for their respective abodes witho
bestowing one parting word or glance up
him.
Unaccustomed to be thus cavalier
treated by young women whom lac honor