Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-06-29

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"The Treasure of Franchord," cried the
doctor.
upon the ground, he whooped like an Indian
and sprung upon Jean 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, ncrlIstcd with the
earth of ages, the tlagons, candlesticllS and
patens Of the hermitage of Franchard A
caSket came last, tightly shut and very
| heavy
ooh, what fum,' 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.
"Ths is childish he said. eve lose
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
herr to Watch.n
Jran-Mare 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 concealmcnt 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 drll,' he said. "Oh, for live coal,
heifer and a jar of country wine! I am in
the vein for sacrifice, for superb libation.
We'll, ana why not: We are at Franchard.
English pale ale is to he had-not classical
indeed, but excellent. Boy, we shall drink
ale"
Bat I thought it was so mwholcsome."
said Jean-Marie, ''and very dear, besides.'
"Fiddle-dc-leel" exclaimed the doctor,
gavly ITO the inn.'
And he stepped into the noddy. tossing his
head with an elastic, youthful air. The
horse was turned. and mi few seconds they
drew up beside the palin9s of the inn garden.
Here" said Dcsprez-"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 a seat. rapped
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 a long glassful of froth and pushed
e over TO Jean Marie. Drink" b. said:
drink deep"
II would rather not" faltered the boy,
true to his training
"Whatm Numbered DeSDreZ
81 am afraid of it," said Jean-Marie; "my
stomach
"Take it or leave it," interrupted Desprez
| fiercely; "but understand it once for all
there is nething so contemplate as pre-
cisian.n
Here was a new lesson The boy sat be-
unused, looking at the glass but not tasting
it, while the doctor emptied and retlled his
own, at first with clouded brow, but grad
ually yielding to the sun, the heady, prick
ling beverage and his own predispositon to
he happy.
\ "Once in a way" he said, at last, by way
of a concession to the boys more rigorous
attitude "once in way, and at so critical
moment, this ale is a nectar for the gods
The habit, indeed, is debaSing wine, the
juice of the grape, is the true drink of tho
Frenchman, as | have often had occasion to
DOlHb Oul, anu w IlpI hll'N th'tb Nah
blame you for refusing this outlandlsh slim
uant. You can have some wine and cakes
Is the bottle emptyl Well, we will not be
proud; we will have pity on your glass"
The beer being done, the doctor chafed bit
terly while Jean Marie finished his cakes
~ burn to be gone" he said, looking at hi:
watch. Good God, how slow you eat!
. And yet to eat slowly was his own particular
prescription, the main secret of longevity!
. His martyIdom, however, reached and enc
at last; the pair resumed their places in thu
Q buggy, and Desprez, leaning luXuriousll
. hack, announced his intention Of proceeding
to Fontainebleau.
"To Fontainebleau" repeated Jean-Marie
Q "My words are always measured said tin
a doctor. "OnW
b The doctor was driven through the glades o
paradise; the air, the light, the shining leaves
l. the very movements of the vehicle, seems
n TO fall in tune with his golden meditations
with his head thrown back, he dreamed
n series of funny visions, ale and pleasur
dancing in his veins At last he spoke.
e 81 shall, telegraph for Casimir," he said
u "Good Casimrl fellow of the lower orde
"a Of intelligence, Jean Marie, distinctiyely no
"a creative not poetic; and yet he will repa
a your study; his fortune is vast, and 1t is en-
a. trely due to his own exertions He is tn
m very fellow to help us to dispose OF on
IA Einkets, find US suitable house in Paris, an