The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-13

suKGRAvKs or SAINT ovxx.
A Peculiar Family Lfviax Near the CITY
Of Fnria.

A Peculiar Family Lfviag Near the CITY
Of Parts.
Paris Temrx
For over century the Couapoints have
lived at Saint Oven In . style truly rstrf-
arehh, giving rare example of industry.
economy and all domestic virtues. When
the revolution broke out the heads of the
compoint family held leases Of lands Al
Saint Oven from certain rcble families who
emigrated during the reign Of terror ano
have since never been heard Of. Win
scrupnious honesty the Compoins,
continued 10 set aside the rents
due 10 the landlords until the
expiration OF the leases Then. an the
rightful owners stu gave no sign OF lita.
from tenants the Compoints became own.
ers- This fact induced no change in .hei.
manner Of life. They continued 10 work.
and. economical as in the past, little by liz
Tie added 10 their property until IL nov
embraces = considerable section OF Saint
Oven suburb. Ii - computed that al least
Ten OF the family. which consists OF about
eighty members, are now miliionasreS.
OF recent years the Couapoints have built
for themselves number OF elegant villas
and purchased horses and carriages. i'm
which they drive out Sundays and fefe
days, the men in broadeioth and the ladies
IN silks and satins. At ether times. how
ever, they rise ~ daybresk, don
blouse and sabots and work in their
helds or take 10 Halles the products
OF their nursery and gardens. The
reception rooms of their abodes are uphol-
stored In accordance with the dictates of
modern fashion. but in the apartments
vhere these eccentric people dwell the fur
ntture IL Of the most primitive order. So
With food. Their visitors are regaled with
the primeure Of the season. while the Com
points themselves aTe contented with sha
frugal fsrs which was good enough In their
day for their fathers. which ID consequensly
good enough for than.
+ Another peculiarly Of these latter say
pairiarchs Is that they intermarrx. They
have recognized head Of the family. " hose
word Is law. This old gentleman settles
any dispute that may arise between one
Compoint and another. Il Is worthy Of
record that never once has an exception
been taken TO his decision. The compoinss
are evidently aware Of the peculiarly obiec-
tionahle features Of going 70 Law. When q
marriage Is on the tApis the patriarch Of
the land calls together its ten millionaire
members and addresses them In the follow
ing words:
Here are two young people who suit
each other. We must give them start in
iife; ! viii give such and such piece Of
land, and you :" be asks OF each member
OF the family council. In some cases hs
suggests whs, shonld be the value OF the
presents made 20 the young people.
At the marriage he acts as mas
ter Of ceremonies. using q silver whistle To
regulate the advance Of the hymeneai
corfegc- When at the bridal feast the
cloth Is cleared and the champagne glasses
filed the patriarch rises and proposes toast
10 the bride and groom. He tenders each
fatherly advice, laying stress on The bless
ings that come in the train OF economy and
industry. and concludes II in the following
words addressed 10 the biashing bride:
.'Thoa hast married strapping young
fellow, solid and healthy. Re TO him what
thy holy worthy mother was % thy father,
and give us children like unto MS