The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-01-29
THE OMELET.
Translated from the French Of Gustave Dorz b.
Walter Learned.


Translated from the French Of Gustave Dorz by
Walter Learned.
The rain, which had been falling since
morning, seemed to have worn itself out
and had become 30 fine that II resembled
the light mist that one sometimes sees at
evening over the prairie. We had Just
finished dining. Baby, who had grown
sleepy at dessert, had been put in his
cradle, and we two, Louise and |, were
standing before the open window and
singing softly as We watched the clouds.
"Shall we go out Of the ark, Father
NOAH said my wife.
81 don't see the bow Of promise, my
dear"
"1he hest Of reasons; lot us so and End
IT,"
She went out and soon returned,
wrapped in her hood, booted and gioved.
She took INV arm, clinging TO IL and lean.
ing against me AZ she did in the happy
days when We met after long absence.
"Ahl how happy ] am to 90 out DO
you scent the fresh air. want 10 walk
and walk. Can We take long walkY Tho
day is still bright"
And saying this she leaned against me,
laughing, taking long strides TO regulate
her steps with mine. We walked along
by the hedge, and, turning TO the left, en-
tered the forest. We loved IL so much,
our dear forest. Al that hour it was quiet.
wet aud dripping. The moss, swollen
with moisture, yielded TO the foot like
sponge, and from each leaf Of the heavy
boughs hung transparent drop, Just
ready TO fall.
"You will get wet, my dear" said 10
Louise, stopping n moment
4 Ia.sa thtak hCnfQ nj
US go on"
So We walked on through the thick
woods. which softly dripped like the beard
Of some marine god.
/ was pleased that my wife was in 80
courageous mood on that evening, for
nothing in the world is more beautiful than
the forest after rain; at that hour in the
day above all, when everything " 30 quiet
and peaceful, when the wind has ceased,
and the weary clouds have fled, when
sleep Is stealing over the birds that are
pluming their wet wings. How charming
then for the two who are one, and would
feel themselves alJne. 10 walk together
through the great green aisles, 10 breathe
the penetrating odor OF the wet forest, 10
strike the great trunks OF the oak trees with
ones cane till the hollow sound comes
echoing back from tree and tree, 10 listen
10 the sound Of breaking branch, or 10
tho murinur Of the drops OF water which
from time to time whisper as they fall
from leaf TO leaf, 20 fill the lungs with air
washed pure by the rain, and 10 hear with
the eyes, II may 70 phrase II, q harmony
delicate in every fine and subtle tone.
It's no, for the pleasure Of siringing out
words that have used metaphor grown
common place by reason Of its truth. Al
the close Of a charming day, when the sun
sinks toward the horizon, over everything
there II glow and color like the flush
on the face Of a lovely girl who spins be-
fore the fire. The tones are warm and an
mated. nature is instinct with life. One
feels that through the day she has loved
much, played much, worked much. The
lorcs, Is warm, and It's foliage Is sprnkled
with cmcrildr, rubies and diamonds, while
The sunshine paints golden plaques npor
the NOISY Trunks. II IL an orchestra com
pletc. n rich harmony, and IL dnzzlcs like
oaskct 81 regal jewels thrown suddenly
open. like a cathedral where the trumpet
sound while all the people sing hallcluiah
ON gray and soinbcr day Il h quito an
other thing without animation. with NJ
hum Of life, without drum or trumpet, bu
with humid eyes. nature seems 10 rest nnt
even 20 ynwn little. On such a time th,
yolins. charged with the duty Of lulling !
restless world, played slowly and will
mutca upon their strings; the bows will
gentle touch scarce Craze the strings ont
= has 30 listen with attentive ear for must
that resembles a dream. but tie sound L
10 sweet. the harmony 10 delicate, that thu
sympathciic stroller who loves the must
al the eyes would end Il hard 10 choos
between the trumpcis and the yiolins, be
tween the forest ycilcd In gray or dazzling
In golden shadows.
We were passing under somo bccchC
when q light wind carcsscd the tree top
lar above our heads till they whispcrc,
together, nsl, lightly shaking themscl vc
like n wet bird, thcy throw down upon u
q dclugc Of diamonds.
GOOD hcaycns" cried Louise, stoppinI
suddenly. "Thc wicked wind avn soak
cd"
Her skirts we're lifted by the wind, and
saw her two little wet boots pressed on
against the other, and half hidden in th
grass.
Soaked, soaked my hood was loose
and dcluge went down my neck
iyCrl"
"And where then, my poor darling27"
"Whcrc them tell YOU down my neck
straight down the little lane"
She looked az me, and we began b
laugh The little lane was where I Away
kissed her however young one may he
one has habits.
wiped The water from her neck, an
when she was dry again, she said 10 me
smiling
"You arc q darling"
Think that kissed her This put he
In fine humor 10 that we danced on owe
}, tho ferns, she leaning on my arm. the
Suddenly, az We rc-cntercd the sonorou
silence of the old forest, sho began to sing
u The air Of the Marseillaisc:
March on, wicked little man
Who does not lo,o his little vile,
Not al all At ell, al all,
Atall, ALL all"
She said this with such little swnggcI
mnrrhInn with lnnn ainra. nhnMlnn he