Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1891-01-30

a. Ao UutS HOk
know what hO wants; when he was
quite a child he ran away from home
TO he hermit; later he went to Mar
Unique, having resolved to be a tray.
eier after reading "Robinson Crusoe.~
lie enlisted, and fought with great
courage; he has been to Holland, and
in Russia, Monsieur lie Chevalier, as be
chose TO be called, was so fortunate as
TO win the protection Of the Empress
Catherine. Everywhere his wild, re-
pellant nature brought him to misery;
a short time ago he was starving in
Paris in miserable lodging in the
Macons-sarbonne, giving lessons in
mathematics, when he could find pu.
pills, and tho minister, Monsieur de
Praslin, being petitioned in his behalf,
appointed him to accompany me TO
Madagascar to repair the walls of Fort
Dauphin, where we are to install our
selves"
'I think" said Madame de Maui
dave gently, "that perhaps he is one
of those strange genuises who can be
managed-like child
"No one can manage him."
"You think not? For my part, 1
believe his character In spite of his
foolish pride, contains great deal of
sweetness and nobility. have often
surprised him wrapt in revery."
"That fellow? There is not a grain
of sentiment in his nature. If he
seems thoughtful, il is only because
he Is plotting to escape from the work
expected Of him without exposing his
Ignorance He does not know his
business, and must have obtained his
commission through favor only. Wait
a minute--you shall have a proof that
he knows nothing of science. 1t will
be amusing"
The Colonel then told one of the
sailors to go and call the engineer,
who seemed to have fallen asleep in
his, chair. The young man rose, and
and in compliance with the order re-
ceived, sauntered, with an air of assur-
ance, towards the commander.
Madame de Maudave looked at him
and WHISPERED,
ellis eyes are wide open, he does
not look as if he had just been
wakened suddenly. What soft,
dreamy expression they haveI | tell
you be Ylore a poet than q mathe-
matician." -
Her husband shrugged his shoul-
ders, and then addressed the engineer,
who had now approached the group.
"Pardon me, Monsieur le Chevalier.
for disturbing you, but we want the
aid of your learning to decide a ques-
ton upon which we cannot agree.
One of these gentlemen insists that it
is possible to ignite gun-powder by
means of sunbeam passing through
lens"
''That is absurd" said the umpire
peremptorily without an instant's re-
Election.
The officers exchanged glances with
each other, and the young engineer,
annoyed by their evident incredulity,
added.
sit is very easy to prove it. Bring
Inc a little powder" A minute later,
ho had boldly placed the powder in
the hollow of his hand, and proceeded
to catch a sunbeam with a lens taken
from telescope. 1t was in vain that
the others tried to dissuade him; he
was obstinate, aud in 9 few seconds a
flame burst out in his palm. His self
love enabled him to stifle the cry of
pain which rose to his lips, but ter
rib,e grimace told that his fool-hardi-
ness was punished, and laugh broke
from the least charitable of the specta-
tors.
From that day he was hardly ever
seen by his fellow-voyagers, Wounded
to the quick at having been made
ridiculous before two ladies. he could
not pardon the Comte de Maudave,
and refused TO remain under his COM
mand.
When the vessel touched at the Isle
of France he went on shore and insist
cd on staying there. He bought
miserable cabin in the Pamplemousses
quarter, and lived on the fruit of the
country, which in that blest climate is
to be had almost for the gathering.
Here he remained several months, and
at the first opportunity returned to his
own CO ntry.
During his retirement the unsuccess-
full engineer had discovered his true
vacation, for he brought back with
him the most poetic romance ever
written. The work was signed "Ber-
nardin de Saint PIERRE" and entitled
paul and Virginial"-EFrom the
French, in Epoch.
A "HObbet."
" Il -. IL e -