Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-10-16
ADVENTURES OF A LOITERER.
From the French of Henri De Bornler

From the french OF henri DC
Leonce de Nerdum wss delightful
and happy young fellow. He was 70
years old, had beautiful black beard,
elegantly trimmed, coat cut IN the
latest style, an income of Is, 900
francs, a law licentiate's diploma IN
drawer, plenty of wit, much self ass
surance, a good heart aid an honor
able name.
Having nothing to do, he was good
for nothing. And how could he amuse
hmselfl When a man is poor, the
efforts necessary to him, his humble
discouragements and joys, his dIsap-
pointed hopes are occupation enough
for his mind. But it is quite other
wise 10 the man who lacks nothing.
Agreeable lodgings, excellent meals,
rides in the Bots and box at the
opera, are all man want, but they
are not very satisfying. To begin over
again every morning, and turn the
SEINE mill all day every lay, makes
pretty poor life. SO thought Leonce,
as he tapped the pavement with his
heels in a melancholy fashion.
Chance, however, gave him an idea,
and rescued him from his heaviest
monotony that # living by himself.
lie found the unexpected, which is
even more difficult to discover than
the real.
lie was mechanically following the
long arcades of the Rue de Rlvoll,
one day, when he heard two full, joy
GUS, amusing voices. He saw before
him two rotund, solid men, with hap
py faces, From the conversation, he
a0on learned that they were provin :
Gals. Happy menl How they did
enjoy themselves, and everything and
everybody And what plans they
were makingl For that day, the
morrow, the next day, and the day
after that They did not hope to have
time TO see and do everything, but
they were going to try.
An idea flashed into Leonce's miad
like lightning. 81 do not know what
to do" he thought; 81 will do just
what these men do. Perhaps it will be
interesting. will follow them all day,
and will be the voluntary slave of
two men who do not suspect their
power"
Leonce did as he proposed, and at
the end of the day he was surprised to
find that he had really enjoyed hlm>
self. lie had seen IN the very PANS
where he had been borne host of
things OF whose existence he had never
dreamed.
The day having proved one of the
most agreeable in his life, Leonce re-
solved TO repeat the same method of
procedure as often as possible. Every
morning about Q o'clock he went to
lounge in the Rue de Rivoli, and as
soon as nc saw a provincial OF attrac-
tive appearance he gave the direction
Of his life for that day into his hands.
We must acknowledge that Leonce
soon preferred the ladies to the gentle
men; because, to be sure, the lady
brought him more amusement than
the gentlemen. The woman is I'M
mensely superior IN imagination; her
capriccs have infinite variety; the un
expected has "A larger part in her ex~
istcnce; she must see everything, and
nothing fatigucs her; she is enterpris-
ing, ingenious, curious; IN short, she
is a woman.
Lconce, then, preferred for his pur-
pose families in which there We're
women.
One morning he had good fortune
at the very outset. He saw man
about sixty years old, square>built,
rubicund, and wrapped III an ample
cloak on his arm, leaned Il woman of
fifty, tall and thin, with remnant of
beauty.
m. Duaurier," said she, with not
the least caution not to be heard by
tho passers. 1--WE can truly say that
we have Il beautiful sight before us. :"
you are right a thousand times,
Mime. Dulaurierl But there are the
girls far in advance Of usl'
Louise! Louisettel' called Nine.
Dulaurler, and two young women who
proceeded their father and mother by
few steps, stopped and waited.
Louise was evidently older than her
sister Louisette. She was tall and i'm
posing, like her mother; she loved
linen of dazzling whiteness laid in
order IN great oaken presses. She was
woman of strong mind.
Iouisette, on the other hand, was
slender, far and naturally elegant,
though she wore an ill-made dress.
She had small feet, and her long, slen-
der hands sought the green ribbons of
her hat with gesture instinctively
coquettiSh, whicA did not escape Les
ouce's ali,seeing Partisan eye. He
thought her charming, but awkward,
and he began to follow the four with
special attention.
About 10 o'clock they all entered
cafe for breakfast, and Leonce took a
seat at the table near so as to face
liouisette, In a few moments he risk
ed a glance at the young lady, who
did not turn away her eyes. He at
tempted still more, and threw all the
magnetism possible into his eyes; but
this time the girl blushed, leaped to
speak to her mother, and did not look
up again.
After breakfast. the strangers took
the cars for st. Cloud, still followed
by lIeonce.
After an hours walk through the
long alleys of the park, under
scorching sun, they began to feel
greatly fatlgued, and LDonce heard
Madame Dulaurier exclaim: Il won
der if we shall never come to drop
of water l am so tired am ready to
dropm
This was Leonce'S opportunity, and
he went straight to Madame Dulaurier
hat in hand.
Madame, said he, "Ishould never
forgive myself if did not come to
your aid. know this park thorough
ly; and l can show you the fountain
of Saiute Marie, renowned through
the country"
A thousand thanks, SIR" ssid Ma
dame Dulaurier, surprised and charm
ed by the young mans grace of man
ner.
He offered to show them the way to
the fountain, and with much gayety
and kindly feeling they set out to
gether.
Louise and Louisette walked little
in advance of their parents and
Leonce.
do you not think" said Louise,
that this gentlemen resembles won>
derfully the one that was in the res
taurant with usi"
Why, certainly not!n replied Louis
cite. ''Au Parisians look alike. !"
But she blushed as she spoke.
When they reached the fountain