Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-04-08


counts poems we're all on one theme
and he cared for the commentator
OF but one member OF his classes and
that fair demoiselle and TO her
alone did he give copies OF his poems.
The demoiselle was Miss Mason. aud
thus did he repay the kindness her
family had shown him.
A fresh interest was added TO the
Frenchman's presence in town. The
newly discovered condition OF things
was discussed in all its phases aud
every body knew all about this affaire
de c eur excepting only the fair
demoiselle herself
Now. since his residence in Tide
water was assured until his ceremo.
NOUS court should be paid in detail
TO the future viscountess (for he had
but to ask to have. the Fiscount
talked of moving into apartments
and spent his leisure time IN visiting
the most attractive quarters Of the
town looking for rooms. Day after
day was so spent in fruitlcss search
for no house in Tidewater 1t seemed.
had been built with special reference
to viscount 5 tastes; yet he kept up
the pursuit for some days after this
discovery as some choice must be
made. In a few days more however
the search was abandoned the sub.
ject dropped and the viscount was
riding a new hobby.
And now it was certainly true that
the viscount OF recount had some-
thing weighing on his mind aud
heart. He was very open in telling
his unhappiness; now attributing it
to one cause now another. Not a
few tenderhearted women in Tide
water spent days and nights OF
sympathetic wretchedness after this
forlorn waif of French nobility had
poured out his grief to them. Now
love was the cause OF il. - 'Je le sails
bien, he would exclaim in moments
OF despair when he forgot the allure.
mentS of his rank. 'Je le sails bien-
je ne suis pas beau garcon Now it
was his inferior social position in
America, the lack of sympathy OF the
strange country, and pure home
sickness. The words alone would
have been insu ficient to carry con.
yiction. but the whole bearing OF the
man in his unguarded moments told
OF trouble
Some believed the story OF love,
some OF the cold incongeniality OF
American society; and some material
minded people attributed the French
mans wretchedness to pecuuiary
difficulties Kumors were spread
from the better informed heads of
the school ia Portsmouth that NJ.
de Precourt was not in happy re-
lations with his family. and his
father had cut OF his allowance
kaster Monday. az IL o'clock NJ
de Precourt called upon Mrs. Mason.
to read to her as usual for an hour in
the smorniug. She noticed that he
was agitated. When the greetings
were over. NJ. de Precourt seated
himself on the edge OF a capacious
armchair, and made some nervous
remarks upon the season. and the
happiness every. one feels in the
spring Gaining confidence with the
sound OF his voice. he explained to
his pupil the customs OF the season
observed in his native land lit IS
the custom. he sa d. for gentlemen
in France TO express the regard they
have cherished Tor some particular
lady by presenting her with bouquet
of flowers on Easter Monday morn
ing. In accordance with this GUS
tom here after fumbling behind
him on the chair he produced a
bunch Of flowers of many kinds and
colors- 'he had brought this bouquet
to Miss Mason. Mrs. Mason. but
dimly understanding from his inco-
herent and rapid utterances the sig
nifcance OF the gift accepted the
flowers for her daughter with cordial
thanks. The little Frenchman was
JubiIant He stopped again and
again in his reading to make lacetious
remarks upon the book and on
taking his leave expressed extrava-
giant thanks for the kindness OF the
family to him.
That evening at the soiree the
women were electrified with astonish-
ment NJ. de Precourt standing up
behind the little table from WHICH he
read announced that since it was
now permitted him he had addressed
a poem to Miss Mason. He then read
his tenderest lines and after the read
ing presented them. written in gold
ink and framed in oak. to the amazed
girl to whom they were addressed.
The poet was radiant with smiles
and threw himself with more zest
than ever into the amusements OF the
evening. AS he escorted Mrs. Ma.
son home after the soiree she ex-
planned to him that there had been
misunderstanding on both sides on
theirs. from their imperfect knowl.
edge of French and French customs;
on his from his misinterpretation of
their acceptance OF his flowers. and
kindness toward him. which was no
more than common hospitality All
the new-found brightness and Joy
faded from the poor little mans life.
He declared that life was too hard for
him and he wished to die.
he next day it was known over
town that the Frenchman was going