The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-10-09
MARIETTE'S HAIR.

-
Little Mariette had long yellow hair.
1t was so long that it fell almost to
her knees whenever she pulled her
comb from it and tossed her head, like
bird shaking its plumes. 1t was as
yellow as ripened grain and showed
golden lights that made one imagine
that it had caught and imprisoned the
light Of the morning sun whose rays
had indiscreetly fingered to kiss her
white shoulders as she braided her
hair before the window. All, the
beautiful tresses of Mariette! Many
youthful gallants dreamed of them.
Among these was Jean, a young man
of twenty, and one fine day Jean and
Mariette were married.
Jean was a clever, merry youth,who
looked upon life as if it were a good
farce. He was gifted by nature with
a talent for drawing. 1t was by this
talent he expected to make his way in
the world,
Well, Mariette and Jean were mar
ried. Why? Because they loved each
other, of course. Jean. who treated
Mariette as a comrade, carried his
heart in his hand. One evening, when
they had clasped hands for a longer
time than usual, Mariette found his
heart in her little palm. The giddy-
headed Jean had forgotten it. To
punish him, Mariette kept it. That is
the whole story.
The day after their marriage Jean,
after searching his pockets, found
three francs.
"They will not last US very long,
hesaid.
They hardly lasted until dinner,
which was somewhat abridged. Jean
and Mariette, however, recovered
themselves at supper-a supper Of fond
caresses and kisses.
Two days afterward Jean was sur
prised by the receipt of five hundred
francs. An uncle who lived in the
provinces had sent it to him as we'd
ding gift. After having pinched each
other to assure themselves that they
were not dreaming, the couple began
to lay their plans, and talked of buy
ing everything in Paris. Mariette
was the first to become serious.
"Give me the money" she said. q
will take care of the cash box. 1t is
necessary for us to economic and
tn nix of the future"
Jean, with royal gesture, handed
her the bank notes, and took no more
thought Of the money. One thought
only troubled him Il little. When he
went into the street and saw himself
in the large glasses Of the store win
dows he found that he had bourgeois
appearance and he was constantly ex-
amining himself to see if he had not
reduced his obesity somewhat. Then,
in order to make himself slender, he
would run. about Paris searching for
work.
At the end of fortnight Mariette
began to experience great uneasiness
1t could hardly be believed the SOC
francs were nearly exhausted. Was ii
possible? Was there not some magic
under it all? Mariette became grave
and reflected a long time.
"You know" she said to Jean in the
evening, "it is eight days since you
have had work"
81 know that very we'll" he replied
"But why that serious air? Have we
no more money!"
Eyes, yes" she answered, "only q
man ought not to be doing nothing"
"You are right. l will look fol
work, but it is not easy to find"
Eight days later Mariette became
very anxious. She could no Longer
conceal from herself the fact that star
vation was at hand. She said nothing
to Jean, knowing that he was doing
his best to find work. She tried II
imagine what would be the end of thi.
terrible misery. She began to prac
tice the most extreme &c no V.
At the end of week Mariette hat
become most prudent as well as
most clever manager.
One morning, as Jean was about t.
depart, Mariette was seized with fl
of weeping. One hundred sous-onl.
one hundred sous were left-onl,
enough to last two days and then
Decidedly everything looked black
She made her toilet, however, but no
without sighing. As she was putin;
up her hair before the glass she foun
that she had no hairpins left.
Another expenser' she groaned.
When she went into the street sh
entered the shop of the hairdresser a