Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-05-17
CHAPTER III.


1t was in the middle of November in
the year 1919, twilight was coming on,
and big Nanon was lighting a fire in the
parlor for the first time. 1t was a
festival day in the calendar of the Cru
chotins and Grassinistes, wherefore the
six antagonists were preparing to set
forth for a contest in which each side
meant TO Guido the other in proofs of
friendship. The Grandets' parlor was
70 be the scene of action. That morning
Nine. and Mile. Grandet, duly attended
by Nanon. had repaired to the parish
church. All Saumur had seen them go,
and every one had been put in mind of
the fact that it was Eugcuie's birthday.
Mr.. Cruchot. the Able Cruchot, and
NJ. c. de Bonfons, therefore, having cal
culated the hour when dinner would be
over, were eager to be first in the field,
and to arrive before the Grassinistes to
congratulate Mile. Grandet. All three
carried huge lunches of flowers gathered
in their little garden plots, but the stalks
of the magistrates bouquet were ingen-
iously bound round by a white satin rib
bon with a tinsel fringe at the ends.
In the morning NJ. Grandet had gone
TO Eugenie's room before she had left
her bed. and had solemnly presented her
with a rare gold coin. 1t was her fathers
wont TO surprise her in this way twice
every year Mne. Grandet usually gave
her daughter a winter 6nd a summer
dress, according to circumstances. The
two dresses and two gold coins, which
she received on her fathers birthday and
on New Years Day. altogether amounted
to an annual income of nearly hundred
crowns; Grandet loved to watch the
money accommodating in her hands. He
did not part with his money; he felt that
it was only like taking it out of one box
and putting it into another.
Eugene wore her new dress at dinner.
and looked prettier than usual in it; her
father was in high good humor.
Let us have a fire." he cried, "as it
is Eugenies birthday. 1t viii be a good
omen,'
.'Mamemoiselle win be married within
the year. that's certain" said big Ma
non. as she removed the remains of a
goose
There is no one that l know of in
Saumur who would do for Eugene"
said Nine. Grandet, with a timid glance
at her husband glance that revealed
how completely her husbands tyranny
had broken the poor womans spirit.
Grandet looked at his daughter, and
said merrily. we must really begin TO
think about her; the little girl is 23 years
old to-day"
Neither Eugene nor her mother said
word. but they exchanged glances;
they understood each other. After the
dinner. when the question OF Eugenie's
marriage had been raised for the first
time. Nanon went up to NJ. Gran0et's
room to fetch a bottle of black curr.snt
cordial. and very nearly lost her footing
OH the staircase as she came down.
Great stupid, Are you going TO take
TO tumbling sboutT' inquired her mas
ter.
Its all along of the step, sir: it
gave way. The staircase isn't safe
"She is quite right" said Nine Gran
dst. You ought 10 have had il mended
long ago. Eugene all but sprained her
foot on it yesterday.
Here" said Grandet. who saw that
Nanon looked very pale, las to-day Is
Eugenie's birthday. and VOC have nearly
fallen downstairs, take 4 drop of black
currant cordial; that VIII put you night
again"
Il deserve it. too. upon my word" said
Nanon. Many one would have brok-
en- the bottle in my place: | should have
broken by elbow first. holding it up TO
save it."
-Poor Nanon.:' muttered Graadet.