Year: 1861

the class OF the commis-voyageurs, or
French Commercial Travelers-Castaing
Dufay was more t an favorable specimen.
| was verv fond of him. In the course of
our intimacy had been fortunate enough
to have the opportunity of being useful to
him in matters of some Importance
think, Gentlemen, we like those we have
served quite as well as they like us,


The town lights were. indeed. close By,
and it was not long before we turned into
the yard of the Lion dor aud found our
selves in the midst of warmth and bright
ness, and surrounded by faces which, after
the dangers had passed through, looking
perfectly angelic


| had no idea until attempted to move
how weak and dazed was | was too far
gone for dinner. 4 bed and a fire were
the only things [ coveted, and | was soon
In possession Of both.


| was no sooner snugly ensconced with
my head on the pillow, watching the crack
ling logs as they sparkled-my little Nelly
lying outside the counterpane-than my
friend seated himself beside me and volun-
tered to relieve my curiosity as to the
circumstances OF my escape from the Tete
Nolre. 1t was wmy turn to refuse to
listen, as it had been his before to refuse
to speak.


Not one word, said, till you have had
good dinner, after which you will come
and sit beside me- and tell NE all | am
longing to know: when you come ap you
will bring plateful of bones for Nelly;
she will not leave me tonight l swear, to
save herself from starving.


She deserves some dinner. said Dufay,
as he left the room, for think it is thro' b
her instrumentality that you are alive at
this moment.


The bliss in which I lay after Dufay
had left the room is known only to those
who have passed through some great dam
ger, or who, at least, are newly relieved
from some condition of severe and protrac-
ted suffering. 1t was state of perfect
repose and happiness.


When my friend came back he brought
NOT only plate of fowl-bones for Nelly
but basin of soup for me. When had
finished tapping it up, and while Nelly was
still crunching the bones, Dufay spoke as
follows


Isaid just now that it was to your little
dog you owe the preservation of your life,
and now I must tell you how it was. You
remember that you left Doulaise this morn
ing"


It seems week ago, I interrupted.


This morning, continued Outlay
Well You were hardly out of the inn
yard before l drove into it, having made a
small stage before breakfast. l heard
where you were gone, and as I was going
that way too, determined to give nav
horse a rest of a couple of hours while I
| breakfasted and transacted some business
in the town, and then to set off after you.
Have you any idea, said, as ! left the
| inn at Doulaise, whether monsieur meant
to stop en- route, and if so, where? The
garcon did not know. Let me see the
| Tete Noire at Mauconseil would be likely
place, wouldn't it No, the house does not
enjoy good character, and 10 one from
here ever stops there. Well. said !, think
ing no more of what he said, L shall be
sure to find him. ! will inquire after him
as l 60 along,


The afternoon was getting on when I
came within sight of the inn of the Tete
Noire. As you know, / am little near
sighted, but I saw, as drew near the au-
berge, that a conveyance of some kind was
being taken round to the yard at the back
of the house. This circumstance, howev-
er, I should have paid no attention to had
not my attention been suddenly caught by
the violent barking of dog, which SEEM
ed to be trying to gain admttance at the
closed door of the inn. At second glance
1 knew the dog to be yours. Pulling up
my horse, got down and ascended the
steps of the auberge. One sniff at my
shins was enough to convince Nelly that a
friend was at hand, and her excitement as
I approached the door was frantic.


On my entering the house I did not at
first see you, but on looking in the direo-
tion to which your dog had fastened as
soon as the door was opened I saw dark
wooden staircase, which led out cf one cor,
ner of he apartment Twas standing in
I saw also, that you, my friend were being
dragged up the stairs in the arms of a very
Unlocking man, assisted by (if possible) a
still more ill-looking little girl, who had
charge of your legs. At sight of me the
man deposited you upon the stairs, and ad,
vanced to meet me.


What are you doing with that gentlo-
man? I asked.


He is unwell, replied the Unlocking man.
and am helping him up stairs to bed


That gentleman is a friend of mine
What is the meaning of bis being in this
state? .-.-..........


How should know? was the answer
I am not the guardian of the gentleman's
health. @


We'll, then, I am, said I approaching
the place where you were lying. and
prescribe, to begin with, that he shall leave
this place at once.


l must own, continued Dufay, that you
were looking horribly i'll, and as l bent
over and felt your hardly futtering pulse.
| felt for moment doubtful whether 1t
was safe to move you, However, l deter
mined to risk it. Sac -aee..T


viii you help me, said, to move tlis
man to his carriage?


No, replied the ruffian, he is not fit to
travel Besides, what right have you over