The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-29

by her husband to the condition of a
trembling slave. He treated her with
harshness or Indifference, often with
cruelty, seemed TO regard her as an
incumbrance upon the money she had
brought him and to begrudge her the
very food she ate in spite of the fact
that, through her, Grandet ultimately
came into the possession of three con-
siderable fortunes-which he added to
his own-the fortune of Nine. Grandet's
mother. that of her grandfather and
that of madam's grandmother on her
mothers side
When all these riches had been
added to the wealth the stern old
miser already possessed, there was no
doubt of his commence in wealth
among the people of the district of
Saumur. He had hundred acres of
vineyard, thirteen farms, the old abbey
127 acres of meadow land and the house
had personal property, the extent OF
which was known to no one. Two per-
sons, however. amused themselves by
making rather shrewd guesses at the
personal estate of the great man, while
the populace let Its fancy range re-
garding 1t.
The two who from their relations to
NJ. Grandet were best qualified to make
guess at his unseen wealth were NJ.
Cruchot notary, who was most useful
to Grandet in his money lending busi-
ness, and NJ. des Grassins, who did the
biggest banking business In Saumur,
and with whom Grandet was a silent
partner. M Cruchot had a nephew who
signed himself c. de Bonfons, because
he had an estate, called Bonfons, worth
1000 francs year. This nephew was
30 years old, and president of the civil
courts of Saumur. Also NJ Cruchot
had brother, the able, and NJ. de Bon
fons expected to inherit the property
OF both uncles, who were reputed very
wealthy. There were twenty families
OF standing in the town connected by
blood or marriage with the Cruchots.
Altogether they formed little party
of their own. and were at enmity with
the party of the Des Grassins. which
consisted Of the banker, his wife, their
son Adolph. aged 2a. and many cousins
and allies.
Now the cause Of the enmity of 81
Des Grassins party and the Cruchot
party, an enmity which, though not
openly displayed, was nevertheless yio-
lent enough to divide the society in sau-
muir into two hostile camps and keen
1t continually agitated, was the desire of
the Cruchots that M. de Bonfons should
capture the hand and fortune of Eugene
Grandet and the determination of the
Des Grassins that the prize should be
carried Off by Adolph. So they hated
each other. conspired against each other
and fought each other like the Mon
tagues and Capulets; only they stabbed
secretly with words instead of swords
and stilettos, and tried to outdo each
other in rendering service to old Gran
Diet.
1t was a dreary life that Eugene lived
in the house Of her father, a life not onlv
without luxury. but one in which even
necessities were cut down to the most
economical point. Nanon cooked and
washed. went late to bed and was up
early Mme Grandet, weak and COM
planning was gradually dying under the
cold oppression Of her misery husband.
There was little or no company. Grandet
neither accepted nor gave invitations to
dinner-dinners cost money. He went no.
where socially and permitted Eugene to
go nowhere. Once in a great while the
Cruchots and the Des Grassins were al
lowed to como in of an evening and, II It
was festal occasion. two candles were
lighted. and there was a mild game of
lotto, in which Nine. Grandet took part.
If she won the old man was pleased; If
she lost he scolded her. Usually the even
ings were passed by the light of soil
tary tallow candle. the family sitting
gloomily before a scanty fire.
Grandet spoke but little anywhere, and
IT don't know" IT will see about It,"
and IT will not" were about all he was
ever heard to say in public, except when.
desiring time to make a decision, he
would declare that he must first consult
his wife, as he never took any important
steps unless with her permission. All
the world of Saunur knew that this
latter statement was a lie; that Nine.
Grandet was mere wretched cipher.
never having any knowledge of her hus-
bands affairs, and still less consultede.
But. 50 great is the power Of wealth,
everybody to whom he said 1t tried to