The daily gazette., 1883-07-25

70 send him word of your welfarel Sir, It is
unworthy OF you, to think OF throwing away
Wnat is lett. Each OF us has his time Of
Lrlali was soldier before ] was servant;
sutered sorely, but was young. / was
oi'4our age, sir, at that time, and it seemed
10 me that Providence could not have
spoken his last word to a man of 25. Why
uo you wish 70 prevent the good God from
repairing the evil he has done youg Leave
the Time To him, aud all will be- well. II /
might be all wed to advise YOU, wait
but two or three years, and | am
sure you will be happy. There are always
means OF leaving this world Why win
you avail yourself of an unpropitious mo-
mentp .tt II
While Jean was endeavoring to pursuade
his master, the latter walked In silence, look
ing, as those who are suffering often dc, now
on one side, now ON the other, as If seeking
tor something TO reconcile him to life. II
changed that just then Mademoiselle
dOuenuy the farmer generals daughter,
passed by with her gOverness Her house
was not far away; Croisilles saw her enter.
All the reasoning in the world could not
have had such effect upon him as did this
encounter. have said that he was a little
strange, and that he almost always yielded
to the impulse of the moment-auddenly
and with lut word of explanation he had
dropped his old servants arm, and was
knocking at the door of M. Godeau's house.
IL.
While one attempts to picture to himself
to-day one of those men who used To
be called "hnanciers," he imagines an enor-
nous chest, short legs, an immense wig, and
large lace with triple chin. And the pic,
ture Is not without reason. Everyone knows
what abuses farming the royal revenue gave
n nd
OF nature renderlI < grosser than the rest of
meA those who fatteu both upon their own
idleness and upon the toll of others NJ.
Godeau was the fattest of Hfinanciers;"
just at the time of which we are writing he
was suffering from the gout, disease as
fashionable in those days as is The headache
now. Reclining upon a long chair, with
eyes half closed, he W. resting In the quiet
OF his private room. The mirrors on every
side repeated msjestically every part of his
enormous person. Bags of gold covered
the table; the furniture, panneling, doors,
locks, replace, ceiling, all were gilded;
so likewise was is clothing; and,
1t may be, also his brain. He was
calculating the results of a little bust
ness venture which could not fail to bring
him several thousand louis. He condescended
to smile 10 himself when CrosiIles was an
nounced and entered with an humble but
resolutc air, and in the disorder which
might be expected of a man intent upon de-
stroying himself NJ. Godeau was a little
surprised at this uDeXpet ted call; he sup
posed that his daughter had made some pur-
chase, and this opinion was confirmed by
her appearing at almost til same time with
the young man. He motioned to Croisilles,
not TO be seated, but to speak. The young
lady placed herself upon the sofa, while
Croisilles, still standing, said
'Sir, my father has just failed. The bank
RUSTY OF u business associate compelled him
to suspend payments, and being unable to
face disgrace he'has fled to America, alter
giving up TO his creditors his last SOU. was
away when all this happened. 1t is only two
hour since | reached home and learned
what had taken place. | aIn absolutely
without resources aud am resolved to die.
1t is very likely that when / leave your
house ! shall throw myself into the, sea.
No doubt should have done so already had
not Just CHANGED to meet your daughter
| love her, sir, with all my heart. For
two years have loved her, and have kept
silent until now because OF the reverence |
feel for her. But in making this confession
to you to-day, am performing an impera-
tive duty, aud | feel thai should be sin
ming against God, If, before taking my own
life, did not ask your permission to wed
hope thatyou viii grant my request, but
nevertheless it is request that was bound
to make, for am good Christian, sir; and
when good Christian has reached such
degree OF misery that he can no longer
endure life, he ought, in order to miti-
gate his crime, to at least exhaust every
chance before taking the final step"
At the commencement OF this speech, NJ.
Godeau, supposing that the young man had
come to borrow money, had prudently
thrown his handkerchief over the bags OF
gold before him, as a preparation for a re-
iusal which he meant should be polite, for
he bad always felt good will towards
Croisilles' father. But when he had listened
to the end, and realized the situation, he
had no doubt that the poor boy had become
completely mad. At first, he thought Of
ringing aud having him shown the door.
But the boys manner was SO frm, and his
face so determined, that he felt pity for SO
calm q madness, and cOntented himself with
bidding his daughter retire, that she might
no longer be forced to listen to what was 30
improper for her to hear.
ITO be contnued.l
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