The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1889-11-08

distrust, leaned over Martin, and,
whispering, said:
What is your nameP I can not re-
call it''
''Martin-Henri Martin" answered
my friend Don't you remember
me?"
'-Ahi yes-Martinl yes. Henri Mar
tini / remember il now. 1t is strange
how one forgets names on such an
occasion. Martin--yes, yes, Martini"
He tried to shake hands with Mar
tin again, but the latter had flown to
the side Of the bride.
Here, madame" he said, '.here Is
your place" Then, tapping Joseph
Durand on the shoulder. he remarked: ::
You ought TO consider yourself a
very happy man Your wife is an
adorable creature"
He did not stop to listen to the
thanks of the bridegroom, but moved
about the table, calling the names Of
the guests and showing them their
places He was so gracious with the
elderly ladies, so respectful to the
young ladies and so affable and
jovial with the men that in fifteen
minutes he had made a conquest of
the whole wedding party.
Martins good humor was tnfec
tious and communicated itself to the
guests, and when at last he took his
seat. after having assured himself
that all others had been properly
placed, a discreet ripple of laughter
ran down the table
The gloom had been dispelled- NJ
Durand and NJ Lemonnier con-
versed amiably and passed mutual
compliments in regard to the charm
ing Henri Martin, whom each be-
lieved to be friend Of the other; the
counteuance oft he mothers-in-law soft
ened. and the bridegroom said to his
bride:
He IS very attractive man. your
friend Martin"
You should say your friend"
"Ah, yes, your friend. our friend
Your friends are now my friends and
my friends are yours"
When Martin was seated he made
q sign to the steward 20 serve the
dinner, and he continued TO direct the
proceedings He ate but little, oc
cupying himself in making others eat
and drink. From time to time he
called the walters attention to the
fact that wine was wanting at one
end OF the table, that some point in
the service had been neglected at
another part of the board. Then he
addressed the bridegroom as follows:
''Duraud, my friend, you are speak
N m ha hri IA in 10
That will not do, my friend Upon
my honor, ii will not do"
When the time for toasts arrived
Martin rose to his full height glass in
hand. Conversation ceased All
eagerly awaited his words. Address
ing the newly-married couple, he said:
My young friends-for as / have
long been the friend Of one OF
you, 1 consider myself henceforth
the friend of both-it Is us
a friend that I wish you happi-
ness on your entrance into married
life. But 1 ought to address to you a
few words of advice, to warn you of
the adversities of earthly existence, of
the reverses of fortune that are Incl
dent to itn
NJ. Durand and NJ. Lemonnier
listened with open mouths
But fear nothing" cried Martin
You shall pass victoriously through
ali trials, and then your vines shall no
more be blighted by the phylloxera
and your bankers shall not fail Our
most illustrious ssvants are seeking a
remedy for the evil caused by the
Phylloxera- They shall find it The
ruined lands shall become rich and
credit shall be re-established. Your
happiness shall be crowned by fort
une. My young friends, drink to
your future fortune. to your children,
to your grandchildren, 10 your great
grandchildren"
Martins toast was loudly ap-
plauded- NJ Lemonnier pronounced
1t TO be most felicitous. There were
other toasts, but scarcely any one list
ened 10 them Every thing revolved
about Martin, who was soon busy di-
recting the removal of the table in
order that the room might be cleared
for dancing.
1t was Martin who opened the ball
with one OF the bridesmaids. All fol-
lowed IN his train, like people under a
charm. singing hymeneal songs. 1t
was he who presided with gravity
over all the amusing little ceremonies,
without which a wedding feast among
the bourgeoise would be incomplete.
1t was he who at last conducted the
young couple to their carriage
1t is eight years since Joseph
Durand was welded TO Blanche
Lemonnier. They are very hsppy
and have three children, who dote on
their friend Henri Martin. NJ.
Durand's vines yield superbly, his
banker Is solvent, and his one hun
dred thousand francs are drawing in
terest To this day the two families
dispute over the question whether
their friend Henri Martin was invited
to the wedding feast by the Durands
or by the Boston Tray
eller.
The White House In 1900.
IL is interesting to read at this time
tho fiAzarfr fr,rf-r, Of L