The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1888-09-07

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a most insufficient diet; how he was expected
to pass his days in prayer A letter is pre-
served, addressed to one of these solitaires
by the superior of his order, full Of admira.
BILE hygienic advice; bidding him go from his
book to praying, and so back again, for va
rietys sake, and when he was weary Of both
to stroll about his garden and observe the
honey bees. 1t is to this day my own sys-
tenn. You must often have remarked me
leaving the 'Pharmacopnia"-often even in
| the middle of a phrase-to come forth in the
sun and air. admire the writer of that
letter from my heart; he was man of
thought on the most important subjects.
But, indeed, had lived in the Middle Ages
Il am heartily glad that did not should
have been an eremite myself-if had not
been professed buffoon, that is. These
were the only philosophical lives yet open:
laughter or prayer; sneers, we might say,
and tears. Until the sun of the Positive
arose. the wise man had to make his choice
between these two"
~ have been buffoon, Of course" OBJ
served Jean-Marie.
81 cannot imagine you to have excelled in
your profession" said the doctor, admiring
the boys gravity "Do you ever laughg"
OH, ycS, Teplleu UIlo OCQor. II l6ug0
often. am very fond of jokes"
singular beingr' said Desprez. "But I
divagate Il perceive thousand ways that I
grow old, Franchard was at length de-
stroyed in the English wars, the same that
leveled Gretz. But-here is the point-the
hermits for there were already more than
one) had foreseen the danger and carefully
concealed the sacrificial vessels These ves-
sells were of monstrous value, jean Marie
monstrous value-priceless, we may say; ex-
quisitely worked, of exquisite material. And
now, mark me, they have never been found.
In the reign of Louis Quatorze some fellows
were digging hard by the ruins. Suddenly
tock!-the spade hit upon an obstacle.
Imagine the men looking one to another;
imagine how their hearts bounded, how their
color came and went. 1t was Golfer, and,
in Franchard, the place of buried treasure!
They core it open like famished beasts. Alas!
it was not the treasure; only some priestly
robes, which, at the touch of the eating air,
fell upon themselves and instantly wasted in
to dust. The perspiration of these good fell
lows turned cold upon them, Jean-Marie. I
will pledge my reputation, if there was any
thing like cutting wind, one or other had a
pneumonia for his trouble.
81 should like to have seen them turning
into DUST" said Jean-Marie. Otherwise l
should not have cared SO greatly"
"You have no Imagination" cried the doc
tor. "Picture to yourself the scene. Dwell
on the idea-a great treasure lying in the
earth for centuries; the material for giddy,
copious, opulent existence not employed;
dresses and exquisite pictures unseen; the
swiftest galloping horses not stirring hoof,
arrested by spell; women with the beautiful
faculty of smiles, not smiling; cards, dice,
opera singing, orchestras castles, beautiful
parks and gardens big ships with tower of
sail cloth, all lying unborn in a coffin-and
the stupid trees growing overhead in the sun
light, year after year. The thought drives
one frantic"
SIT is only money" replied Jean-Marie.
ut would do harm"
"Oh, come!' cried Desprez, "that is philoso-
ply; it is all very fine, but not to the point
just now. And, besides, it is not only
money! as you call it; there are works of art
in the question; the vessels were carved You
speak like child. You weary me exceed
ingly, quoting my words out of all logical
connection, like paroquet."
"And at any rate, we have nothing to do
with it," returned the boy submissively.
They struck the Route Ronde at that mo-
ment; and the sudden change to the rattling
causeway combined, witch the doctors irrita-
ton, to keep him silent. The noddy jigged
along; the trees went by, looking on silently,
as if they had something on their minds. The
Quadrilateral was passed; then came Fran
chard. They put up the horse at the little
solitary inn and went forth strolling. The
gorge was dyed deeply with heather; the
rocks and birches standing luminous in the
sun. great humming of bees about the
flowers disposed Jean Marie to sleep, and he
sat down against clump of heather, while
the doctor went briskly to and fro, with
quick turns, culling his simples.
The boys head had fallen little forward,
his eyes were closed, his fingers had fallen
lax about his knees, when sudden cry called
him to his feet. 1t was strange sound, thin
and brief; it fell dead, and silence returned
as though it had never been interrupted. He
had not recognized the doctors voice; but, as
there was no one else in all the valley, it was
plainly the doctor who had given utterance
to the sound. He looked right and left, and
there was Desprez, standing in a niche be-
tween two powders, and looking round on
his adopted son with countenance as white
as paper.
"a viper!" cried jean Marie running to-
ward him. IA viper! You are bitten"
The doctor came down heavily out of the
cleft and advanced in silence to meet the
boy, whom he took roughly by the shoulder.
"Ihave found it" he said, with gasp.
"a plant?" asked Jean-Marie.
Desprez had fit Of unnatural gayety,
which the rocks took up and mimicked. "a
plantl" he repeated scornfully. "Well-yes
"a plant. And here" he added, suddenly,
showing his right hand, which he had
hitherto concealed behind his back-''here is
one of the bulbs"
Jean-Marie saw a dirty platter, coated
with earth.
"That9" said he. ut is PLATED"
"It is a coach and horses" cried the
doctor "Boy," he continued, growing
warmer, II plucked away great pad of
moss from between these powders, and dis
closed crevice; and when looked in, what
do you suppose saw? I saw house in
Paris with court and garden, saw my
wife shining with diamonds, saw myself a
deputy, l saw you-well, II saw your
future" he concluded, rather feebly. ''Ihave
just discovered America" he added.
But what is its" asked the boy.
"The Treasure of Franchard," cried the
doctor; and throwing his brown straw hat
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