Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-12-16
THE GODFATHER.
BY c. A. SHAW.

nj. Matoussaint, man ennuye-I soften
the expression--a bachelor. once an iron
monger, after being served 10 dessert one
evening, had announced to him by his
servant. Caroline, her eyes modestly low
cred while she twisted the corner of her
apron, as il about to make hem, that
she was going to marry locksmith in q
shop in the rue Pas de la Mule.
Now nothing is more disagreeable than
a change OF servants, especially for an
elderly man OF fixed habits. an old boy
of IS years. Retiring from business with
5000 livres of income, NJ Matoussaint
was satisfied with the manner in which
he had arranged his life-during 1s years
lin his small apartments, so tasteful and
bright Caroline had entered the house
the same day of his installation, and had
ever served him with zeal and fidelity.
More than that, she was an excellent
cook, aud NJ Matoussaint, who was some
what Of an epicure, believed that no one
In the confectioners art could smell bet
ter cheese In short, pearl
~Ah. well, my girl, you are fool, :"
he said rudely. II know by sight your
locksmith, man too young for you.
A drinker perhaps, who will beat you.
Women are all fools And then, what
viii he be able to do in that quarter?
To make a bell ring to open the door to
gentlemen who have forgotten their latch
keysl That is sad enough But mad
emoiselle wishes to become householder,
to be an established woman. If you will
remain here, Caroline, will put you in
my will You should consider this, my
poor child. But, as said, you are a
fool.
That same evening, at his favorite cafe,
over a game of billiards, the ironmonger
was observed TO be in bad humor, and
became furious when his adversary made
good shot.
However, as NJ Matoussaint was
good man at bottom, though little ego
tistical, the old boy he paid for the
wedding dress, and strained himself to
give three silver dishes.
One morning, 10 months afterward,
when d. Matoussaint, in his dressing
gown, was engaged in examining his
barometer to learn whether it was likely
to rain. Euphrasie. the new domestic,
with whom he was enchanted Gf he had
been sure of being able TO replace Caro-
line SO easily he would never have shown
SO much bad humor), Euphrasie, enter
ing, said that his former cook was there
with her new born infant in her arms,
and desired to speak with him.
NJ. Matoussaint being in good humor--
the barometer was rising Car
oline gaily.
aWhat do l see then, baby?"
Caroline had dressed it in its Sunday
robe, pretty blue dress. With the deli
cate and careful movement of mothers
and nurses she drew aside the veil and
head covering which concealed the child,
and proudly showed him to NJ. Matous-
saint.
"Hei is named Vincent. said she. "Tho
name may not be pretty, but he is.
Vincent was hideous, red as leather;
his toothless mouth had the shape of an
old mans, and his bonnet descended
almost over his eyes. Angry at bis
mother that she should expose his face to
the light with the eyeIids unprovided
with lashes, the newborn fixed upon the
old boy regard vaguely severe from his
doll like eyes.
Monsieur. continued Caroline, il
you would do great honor to Constant
and to me-Constant is my husband
well-this would be-this would be to
act Is godfather to cur little boyIr
NJ. Matoussaint hesitated little at this
request; he even said to himself in ad-
vance, Il am not able to refuse; this will
be matter OF hundred francs. But
for moment he gave no thought to the
baptism: he considered withan astonish-
ment mingled with terror the new born,
who continued to make horrible grim
aces, and he asked himself how it was
possible to love such monster.
~Very willingly, Caroline What day
is the ceremony to be7"
~Next Sunday, at ! O'clock. between
mass and vespe1s, at Saint Paul
And she g0dmother?"
She ID the mother Of my husband
you viii excuse it. monsieur-you under
stand--a woman from the country
II. 1Iatoussaint did his part well. He
learned 70 repeat the credo, and recited il
most suitably while the priest threw the
baptisnaal water upon the head OF Vincent,
a. round and bald Is the post ball Of a
staircase. Following this he presented
pretty blue box TO the cure, offered his
arm to the gossip In the country bon
net, threw here and there sugarplums
and s0us and haric0t beans upon the
gamins congregated about the threshold
Of the church, who saluted him with
cries Of delight. Then be had the people