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

"Tns Treasure Of Franchard" cried the
doctor.
upon the ground, he whooped like an Indian
and sprung upon Jean-M Marie, whom he suffo.
Gated with embraces and believed with tears,
Then he flung himself down among the
heather and once more laughed until the val.
ley rang.
But the boy had now an interest of his
own-a boys interest. No sooner was he re-
leased from the DOCTORS accolade than he ran
to the powders, sprung into the niche, and,
thrusting his hand into the crevice, drew
forth, one after another, incrusted with the
earth of ages, the fagons candlesticks and
patens of the hermitage Of Franchard. A
casket came last, tightly shut and very
heavy.
"Oh, what funl" he cried.
But when he looked back at the doctor,
who had followed close behind and was 81
lently observing, the words died from his
lips. Desprez was once more the color of
ashes; his lip worked and trembled; a sort of
bestial greed possessed him.
"This is childish" he said. eve loss
precious time. Back to the inn, harness the
trap and bring it to yon bank. Run for your
life, and remember-not one whisper. stay
here to watch"
JEAN Marie did as he was bid, though not
without surprise. The noddy was brought
round to the spot indicated, and the two
gradually transported the treasure from its
place of concealment to the boot below the
driving seat Once it was all slowed the
doctor recovered his gayety.
81 pay my grateful duties to the genius of
this dell" he said "Oh, for live coal, q
heifer and jar of country wine! I am In
the vein for sacrifice, for a superb libation.
Well, and why nots We are at Franchard
English pale ale is to be had-not classical
indeed, but excellent. Boy, we shall drink
ale."
"But I thought it was SO unwholesome,"
said jean Marie, "and very dear, besides"
''Fiddle-de-dee!" exclaimed the doctor,
gayly. "To the inn!"
And he stepped into the noddy, tossing his
head with an elastic, youthful air. The
horse was turned, and in few seconds they
drew up beside the palings of the inn garden.
"Here," said Desprez-"here, near the
stable, SO that we may keep an eye upon
things"
They tied the horse, and entered the
garden, the doctor singing, now in fantastic
high notes, now producing deep reverbera-
tions from his chest He took seat, raped
loudly on the table, assailed the waiter with
witticisms and when the bottle of Bass was
at length produced, far more charged with
gas than the most delirious champagne, he
filled out long glassful of froth and pushed
it over to Jean-M Marie Drink" he said:
"drink deep"
~ would rather not" faltered the boy,
true to his training
"What!" Numbered Desprez.
81 am afraid of it," said Jean-Marie; tiny
"Take it or leave it," interrupted Desprez
fiercely; "but understand it once for all
there is nothing so contemplate as pre-
cisian."
Here was new lesson! The boy sat be-
unused, looking at the glass but not tasting
it, while the doctor emptied and refilled his
own, at first with clouded brow, but grad
ually yielding to the sun, the heady, prick
ling beverage and his own predisposition to
be happy.
"Once in way" he said, at last by way
Of concession to the boys more rigorous
''once in a way, and at so critical
this ale is nectar for the gods.
The habit, indeed, is debasing; wine the
juice of the grape, is the true drink of the
as have often had occasion to
point out, and do not know that can
blame you for refusing this outlandish stim-
llant. You can have some wine and cakes.
Is the bottle emptya Well, we will not be
proud; we will have pity on your glass"
The beer being done, the doctor chafed Bit
terly while Jean-M finished his cakes
II burn to be gone," he said. looking at his
watch. "Good God, how slow you eat"
And yet to eat slowly was his own particular
the main secret of longevity!
His martyrdom, however, reached and end
at last; the pair resumed their places in the
buggy, and Desprez, leaning luxuriously
back, announced his intention Of proceeding
to Fontainebleau.
"To Fontainebleau!" repeated Jean-Marie.
"My words are always measured" said the
doctor. "Onr'
The doctor was driven through the glades o.
paradise; the air, the light, the shining leaves.
the very movements of the vehicle, seemed
to fall in tune with his golden meditations;
with his head thrown back, he dreamed
series of funny visions, ale and pleasure
dancing in his veins. At last he spoke.
II shall telegraph for Casmir," he said,
'Good Casimir! fellow of the lower order
of intelligence, Jean Marie, distinctively not
creative, not poetic; and yet he will repay
your study; his fortune is vast, and it is en-
tirely due to his own exertions. He is the
very fellow to help us to dispose Of our
trinkets, find us suitable house in Paris, and
manage the details of our installation. Ad-
mirable Casimir, one of my Oldest comradesi
1t was on his advice, may add, that in
vested my little fortune in Turkish bonds;
when we have added these spoils of the me-
di@val church to our stake in the Mohamme-
dan empire, little boy, we shall positively
roll among doubloons, positively roll Beau
tiful forest" he cried, farewell! Though
called to other scenes will not forget thee.
Thy name is craven in my heart. Under the
influence of prosperity become dithyram-
bic, Jean Marie. Such is the impulse of the
natural soul; such was the constitution of
primeval man. And well, will not re-
fuse the credit have preserved my youth
like virginity; another, who should have
led the same snoozing, countrifed existence
Tor these years, another had become rusted,
become stereotype; but !, praise my happy
retain the spring unbroken.
Fresh opulence and new sphere of duties
ind me undated in ardor and only more
nature by knowledge For this prospective
change, JEAN Marie-it may probably have
shocked you" Tell me now, did it not strike
you as an inconsistency? Confess-it is use
ess to dissemble-it panied you"
Al