Los Angeles herald., 1891-10-22

SAID.
when Jules is here our situation will
be entirely changed"
And every Sunday, when regarding
the huge black masses of smoke on the
horizon that ascended to the sky like an
immense serpent, my father repeated his
eternal phrase:
"Ah, if Jules were on one Of these.
what surprise it would bel"
And then he rubbed his eyes briskly
with handkerchief
They made a thousand projects when
the return was assured; they would buy,
with uncle's money, small house in the
country | do not know but that my
father had already commenced negotia-
tions in reference to that affair.
The eldest of my sisters was twenty
eight years old the other twenty-six.
They had never married. which was a
cause of great sorrow to all. A wooer
finally presented himself for my young
est sister. He was clerk, not wealthy,
but honorable.
| have always had the conviction that
the letter of my uncle Jules, shown again
one evening, had ended the hesitation and
strengthened the resolution of this young
man.
He was accepted eagerly, and it was
decided that after the wedding the whole
family should take little trip to Jersey.
Jersey is the ideal Of journey for
poor people. 1t is not far; one traverses
the sea in a packet and finds ones self in
a strange land, an island belonging to
the English Thus Frenchman, after
two hours sailing, can see his neighbors
and can study their strange manners and
deplorable circumstances. This trip to
Jersey occupied all our thoughts, our
entire attention, and we dreamed of it
constantly.
Finally we started. | remember it as
if it happened yesterday-the smoke
blowing over the dock; my father, very
much perturbed, watching the trans
porting of our luggage; my mother, also
disquieted, had taken the arm of my un-
married sister, who appeared lost since
the other sister had gone from her, like
chicken sitting alone in its coop, and
behind us came the young married pair,
always tagging, which compelled me to
turn my head often.
The whistle sounded. We went on
board, and the ship, leaving it's dock,
glided out upon a sea as smooth as glass.
We watched the receding shores. happy
and joyous, feeling doubtless expert
enced by all who have Travelled.
My father wore his long coat, from
which all the spots had been washed
with benzine, and consequently he
strongly suggested that valuable cleans
ing agent, and recalled to my mind our
Sunday outings ---------
Suddenly he espied two elegant ladies,
to whom two gentlemen were offering
oysters. An old ragged seaman opened
the bivalves with one blow of knife
and passed them to the gentlemen, who
Immediately carried them to the ladies.
who ate them in most genteel manner,
holding the shells in cambria handker-
chief, and conveying them to their
mouths without dropping any juice or
staining their toilets Then they drank
the liquid with pretty, rapid move
ment, and threw the shells into the sea.
Undoubtedly my father was captivated
by this distinguished act of eating oys-
ters on vessel while it was under sail
He thought it was good taste, refined,
superior, and approached my mother
and sisters, saying:
"What would you say if | should
offer you some oysters?"
My mother hesitated on account of
the expense, but my sisters accepted i'm
mediately.
My mother said in u querulous tone:
ii am afraid they will not agree with
me. Give some to the children, but not
many, as the oysters will make them
sick" Then turning toward me, she re-
marked, LAS to Joseph, he needs none;
it is best not to spoil the boy"
| remained beside my mother and
thought her very unjust followed
my father with my eyes and watched
him as he pompously conducted his two
daughters and his son-in-hw toward the
old seaman.
The two ladies started to go, and my
father indicated to my Two sisters that
they were to eat the oysters without
spilling any juice. In order that they
might understand bettG, he took an
oyster, and, in endeavoing to initiate
the ladies, poured the Whole liquid down
the front of his coat.
Suddenly my father appeared to be-
come uneasy. He recoibd few steps,
regarded his family fixelly, then the old
seaman, and quickly returned to us. He
seemed pale, and his eys had singular
look. He said to my m,ther:
sit is strange how nat man opening
the oysters resembles Jtles."
Mother asked:
What Jules?"
My father returned:
"Why, my brother Jules. If did not
know that he had good position in
America | should belige it was he"
My mother ejaculatd angrily:
"You are lunatic You know very
well that it is not Jues. Why do you
talk such nonsenseT"
But father said peristently; $50 and
see for yourself, Charlse. should like
very much to have yor opinion"
She arose and joiled her two daugh-
ters, and l also went md looked at the
old man. He was dirty, wrinkled and
did not turn his atterion from his work
My mother returnd, and | saw that
she trembled She sid very quickly:
81 believe it is he Go and pump the
captain. 1t will be fudent, for we GER
tainly cannot claimlthis worthless fel-