Year: 1871

III.


| To regrets and modification succeeded
dispair. Old Aunt Migueline, wise in the
ways of the world, overheard her moans
and administered consolation. Where Ii
the young girl who has not some good old
fairy near at hand to give her council il
she will only take pains enough to listen
to it


lyon are weeping, Clairette," said Aunt
Migueline, addressing her.
II am crying over my twenty-one years
gone without, without-stopping she
| responded.


Without fetching you husband, you
mean to say"


"One need not be witch to guess that
Migueline"


"Your red petticoat and gay distaff are
worn out in useless service your lamb
kin bleating and frisking around you has
proved equally useless"
why do you throw those things up to
me, Migueline?"


Il say what 1 think, Clairette. Do
you suppose that my eyes, half closed by
age, do not see clearly into the tolls and
snares set by you and those like you on
the path to matrimony? Every young
girl is an initiating bird, of the parrot or
magpie order, who, since the world be-
gan, is ever exclaiming, Husband hus-
band and it is not necessary 10 teach her
anything in this direction, my dear niece
Clairette"


"'Tis true, Migueline. But 1 thought
| might be as fortunate as my friends, and
in initiating their mode of display
make -


"And you are obliged to confess that
you have had all your trouble for nothing
Poor children, always relying upon
color instead of form, and never
finding out the true state of things! Yes,
the habit Of your companions of appear
ing in pubic associated with certain
suitable and useful objects, has con-
tributed not little towards getting them
husbands. But do you know the reason ?
1t is because the red petticoat was woven
and made up by the persevering young
! girl who wore it, such an example of her
skill and activity in using her needle fur
nishing admirable proof of her knowing
what to do in the situation in which she
is placed. The distatf likewise proved as
profitable to Biebe because she was fear
less spinner, and did not rest satisfied, as
you did, with carrying the implement
around with her motionless at her belt
she kept the spindle below it and her fin
gers always busy, so that the flock of wool
or flax had to be renewed ten times day.
If the lamb did not prove unserviceable
to Lixandrine, it was because it was the
leader of fine drove of fifty which that
careful little shepherdess led out daily to
pasture, early in the morning in summer,
and during the afternoon in winter, avoid
ing wet grass and fields, always getting
back before it rained, and ever keeping
clear of changes in the weather, of SO
much harm to those delicate little crea-
lures. Your three companions worked so
faithfully in their respective callings that
they are known far and wide for their in
telligence and activity-the best posi-,
BILE dowry a young girl can have,
and the most reliable charm for a husband.
Put aside the red petticoat which you
bought and did not spin, the distatf of no
avail to you, and the equally useless lamb.
You have fields and meadows that are ly-
ing fallow; resume your rake and hoe, stir
up the ground, and pull up the weeds; be
as industrious as your companions, and
you will not have to wait long for hus-
band"


Clairette listened to Aunt Migueline's
discourse with all the attention which ad-
vice deserves when one is disposed to fol-
low it because it seems good. No longer
quitting her little plot Of ground, she dug,
hoed, and made hay so successfully that,
at the end of the year, the son of rich old
Thomas came and put to her the following
question:


Clairette, will you be my wife."


"Why should l refuse, Monsieur Thorn
as, if such is your wish ?" responded Clair.
cite, with downcast eyes, and modest
feint which the least bashful of country
girls can SO well assume.


You are agreed, Clairette?"


Il am;" and they joined hands.-GGl
arg.