Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-07-28
Gales aud Sketfhes.
TIE CROSBY's COURIER.

You mean to have courier, of course,
said Mrs. Ellery Juene to Mrs. Crosby. a.
they sat side by side in their steamer chair!
on the deck of the Canada. 1t was {
smooth day following several rough ones
Liverpool was only "a hours distant, an(
the passengers all experienced that reac
ton into cheerfulness and chat which fol
lows the escape from storm and seasick
ness.
"A courier?" replied Mrs. Crosby
rather doubtfully. She was not quite SURF
what the word meant.
"Ye-es, perhaps we shall. don't ex
actly know. I'm not sure what Mr.. eros
by intends. Do people usually have
them? ''
''Oh dear. yes. almost always. unless
indeed they have travelled before, anC
know the European languages. 1t is suci
a comfort to have one. He translates TO
you, YOU know, and carries all your bag
and parcels. and buys the tickets. and en-
cages the rooms beforehand.
They know just where to 60. anG
which are the best hotels; in fact, vol
don't have to think tor yourself at ALL"
Mrs. Crosby was good deal impressed
1t was not very difficult matter to i'm
press Mrs. Crosby. She was simple
hearted woman, born and brought up in {
small Western town, which she had sci
dom quilted except to make visits in Other
Western towns. Neither she nor any
member of her family had ever visited
Europe before. and they felt an over
weening respect for people who had. anC
were much inclined to follow any advice
vouchsated them bv more experienced
travellers.
Mrs Crosby lost no time in repeating
this conversation to her husband.
IL really believe its the thing for US to
do" she told him. ''Do ask Mr.. Juene
about it, and let's get the same courier
that they had if we can, Mrs. Juene says
he was excellent. You'll take twice as
much comfort all along, and so shall |. if
don't have to worry about your getting
tired. 1t will be nice to have someone tC
60 about with the girls. too. wonder we
didn't think of it before"
Il never heard that there were any
such things before" replied her husband
land neither did you, so it's not wonder.
III. that we didn't think of it, Well, Pol
ly, it sounds reasonable enough, and il
would be a good thing to have someone to
squire the girls about when | feel lazy.
SO Ill speak to Juene, and if it don't cost
too much We'll have the courier"
"Oh, yes, papa do let's have one' put
in Nelly, the eldest of the Crosby daugh-
tiers. who had come into the cabin just in
time to catch the word. ats so stylish
Maud Juene says the English aristocracy
always travel with one" Nelly was only
fortnight distant from her birthplace in
Hecuba, Ohio, but already her ideas had
begun to expand.
Nonsense, Nelly" put in her mother,
rather sharply. Were good republi-
cans, and have no call to ape the British
aristocracy, What we want courier for
is to save us trouble while we are travel
ing about; that's all, my dear"
There were three of the Crosby girls,
Nelly was nineteen, and had graduated
twelve months before with high honors,
from the Cleveland Academy. Frances,
commonly called France bv her family
was Just seventeen, and little Madge was
somewhat over fifteen. She was the pref
test of the three. Her father considered
her almost baby still. but she had read
a great many works and formed her own
ideas on almost all subjects. Madge did
not look upon herself as baby at all.
AS soon as they were settled in London
MIR. Crosby went forth to see about the
Juenes' courier. He proved to be already
engaged This was a great disappoint.
ment. but others were proposed; and
after some inquiry and correspondence, q
tall. stout, rather handsome. youngst
man presented himself to apply for the
situation.
Giuseppe Nardi was his name. He had
been. he said, in the service of manv H.
lustrious families. and he had wallet full
of recommendations. The Duca della
Sermoneta and the Marchese dt Montt ant
the Graf ron Edlttz and the Compile d,
Lauzun all testified in handwritings which
looked oddly like, to his possession Of
every requisite merit
MIR. Crosby could not read these docu
ments. and though Giuseppe obligingly
translated them for him, they did not pro
duce half so much effect on his mind a:
did a couple of letters signed "Sir Joshus
B. Smith," and Lord Charles Rich,
which set forth in good plain English tina
Giuseppe Nard had proved admirable anc
trustworthy in every respect, and that the
writers recommended him warmly to En-
glish and American families about to visi
the Continent
Mr.. Crosby and girls, and Selma Sharp
less. Mrs. Crosby's maiden sister, wer'
charmed with the recommendations |
seemed to establish vague but delightful
nearness and intimacy between themselves
and these distinguished persons. that the,
should thus succeed them in the possession
OF such a treasure. So they gave Mr.
Crosby no rest till the matter was con
cluded, and Giuseppe regularly engaged
to become their courier for the eigh
months over which their journey was tt
extend.
What do you suppose his real history
is ?" asked France of Nelly, as soon a.
he had gone away. I'm sure he has
one"
"Oh yes. He couldn't have been 6
courier always, with that face. And his
manners Did you ever see anything so
romantic and graceful The way he
bowed to mammal
Il shall feel embarrassed whenever
ask him to do anything" declared little
Madge. "It'l be Just like asking a prince
or duke to wait on me. Oh. do you sup
pose he's nobleman in disguise ?"
Giuseppe began his services the next
dav. In London. of course, there was nc
need OF him as an interpreter. but he came