Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 10 — page 2: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

2 pene twee ~~ —- “-. + -- —_ was much fatigued. A return chaise passed, into which I got, and in less than three hours arrived at the capital of French Flanders, whence I immediately | started for Dunkirk, being excessively anxious to place myself beyond the reach of pursuit. had resolved on visiting the New World. My fate forbade this project. The port of Dunkirk was empty L reached Calais, intending to embark immediately, but they asked me more than the whole sum in my posses- sion. I was induced to hope that at Ostend the fare would be less; and on goiug there found the captains uot more reasonable than at Calais, Thus disappointed I fell into that adventurous disposition, which induces us to throw ourselves voluntarily into the arms of the first enterprise that offers. While I was walking, I was accosted by a person whose benevolent yf eae — io ave me rather a favorable impression of him, The rst words he addressed to me were questions, He had learnt that I was a stranger; he told me that he was a. ship-broker; aud when he learnt the cause of my com- ing to Ostend, he offered his services, ** Your counte- nance pleases me,’’ said he, “‘ l like an open face; there is in your features the air of frankness and joviality, which I like, and I will prove it to you by procuring | . I spoke of my ‘No thanks, my friend, that will be soon | for you a passage for almost nothing.” gratitude. enough when your business is completed, which I hope will be soon; but surely you will be tired of waiting about in this manner?” very much amused. “If you will accompany me to Blakemberg, we will sup there together, with oe 6 |} At my first attempt at the grand fii jolly fellows, who are very fond of Frenchmen.” broker was so polite, and asked me so cordially, that I thought it would be ungentlemanly to refuse, and | e conducted me | | determined on telling Comus that I had no desire to therefore accepted his invitation. to a house where some very agreeable young ladies welcomed us with all that. ancient hospitality which did not confine itself only to feasting. At midnight robably—I say probably, for we took no accoun ours—iny head became heavy, and my legs would no longer support me; there was around me a complete chaos, and things whirled in such a manner, that with- out perceiving that Gey had undressed me, I thought I was stripped to mys that I know is, that I soon fell soundly asleep. On waking I found myself cold; instead of the large green | eurtains, which had appeared to me in my sleep, my heavy eyes only gazed on a forest of masts, and I the watchful cry which only echoes in the seaports. I[ eudeavored to rise, and my hand touched a heap of eordage, against which I was leaning. Did I dream, then, or had I dreamt the previous evening? I felt about, I got up, and when on my feet I found that I did not dream, and what was worse, that I was not one of the small number of those personages whom fortune favors while sleeping. I was half naked, and except two crowns and six livres, which I found in one of my breeches pockets, I was penniless, It was then but too clear to ine, as the broker had said, ** my business had soon been done."’ I was greatly enrag spot where I had been thus plundered. I made up my mind and returned to the inu, where I had some clothes _ which remedied the deficiencies of myjattire. I had no occasion to tell my misfortune to the landlord. ‘ Ah, ah!’’ said he to me, as far off as he could see me, “ here ; offered it comes another. Do you know, young man, that you have got off well? You return with all your limbs, which is lucky when oue gets into such a hornet’s nest; you now know what a land shark is; they were certain- ty beautiful sirens! Al! pirates are not On the sea, you observe, nor all the sharks within it ; 1 will wager that they have not left you a farthing.’ erowns from my pocket to show them to the innkeeper. “That will be,"’ said he, “just enough to pay bill,’* which he then presented. I ey t aud too of him, without however quitting the city. The sea was open to me as a profession, and I re- solved to betroth myself to it, at the risk of breaking my neck thirty times a day, 1 francs a month, up the rigging of a ship. to enter like a novice, when the sound of a ae suddenly arrested my attention; it was not that of a regiment, but of Paillasse (Merry-Andrew) and his mas- ter, who, in front of a show bedecked with the emblem of an itinerant menagerie, were awaiting the mob, I saw the which never hisses the vulgar exhibitions. ing; and while a large crowd was testifying its | beginn gratification by loud shouts of laughter, it occurred to me that the master of Paillasse might give me emplo - ment. Paillasse appeared to me a good fellow, an was desirous of securing his protection; and as t knew that one good turn deserves another, when he got down from his platform, on saying “follow the crowd,” think- | ing that he might be thirsty, I devoted my last oe in offering him half a pint of gin. Paillasse, sensible o this politeness, promised vegan | to speak for me, and as soon as our half-pint was finished, he presen me to the director. He was the famous Cotte-Comus; he called himself the first physician of the world, and Iu traversing the country, had united bis talents to those of the naturalist Garnier, the learned pence. of Gen- eral Jacquot, whom all Paris saw in Fountains before and after the revolution. These gen- tlemen had with them a troupe of rope-dancers. Comus as soon as [ appeared before him. asked me what l eould do. “ Nothing,’ said tl ‘ In that case,” sald he, ‘they will teach you; there are greater fools than you, and then besides, you have not a clumsy appearance, engage you lor two years; the first six mon ou ahall be well + ollowing, if you are bright, I will the others; in the meantime, my friend, I will find oc- eupation for you.”’ hus was [ introduced, and then weut to partake of the flock-bed of the obliging merry-andrew. At the break of day we were awakened by. the sonorous voice T said that certainly [ was not. of | urt; it might be true, but all | | viewing with a marked delight the Meo Sager of my eard | , but what | did that avail me? I was even unable to point out the leaps and bounds; finally, take I drew my two. house, with a showman and his wife who e pape in the o and I found that — »y climbing, for eleven | { was ready | 80 was the lady; she was only thirty-five. As soon as I found myself out of "pawn ~<a he square of the | and not go off, and the _ What say you, Eliza?” do in this res entirely agreed with him; and at the same time gave me a look which bespoke that she was not displeased, | and that we shouid soon understand each other, I ac-. ou have a taste for the stage; thenI cepted the new employ with gratitude, and at the next ' representation I was installed into my office. fed, and clothed; at the end of that time | tion was infinitely superior to that at Garnier’s. Eliza, ou shall have a sixteenth of the profits; and the year | who, despite my leanness, ive y? a share like not so badly made as I was clothed, made a thousand ’ | secret advances, to which I was not bac atthe end of three days she said she loved me. I was , husband took all that for c The New York Library. bed and board, I was sinking from want, when they gave me a piece of brown bread, so hard, that being un- able to get through with it, although gifted with sharp teeth, and a famous appetite, |] threw the greater por- | I was obliged to light up in | , 1 did not , evince in my occupation all possible dispatch, the di- ' tion among the animals. the evening, and as, for want of practice rector, who was a brute, administered to me a slight correction, which he renewed the next and following | days. A month had not elapsed before I was in a wretched condition; my clothes, spotted with grease and torn by the monkeys, were in fags; I was devoured by vermin; hard diet had made me so thin, that no one would have recognized me; and then it was that there | to these perplexities, when a person passed near me arose in all imaginable bitterness the regrets for m aternal home, where good food, soft ent clothing were mine, and where I had no monkeys to make clean and feed, . Iwas in this mood, When one morning Comus told me, that after due consideration, he was convinced that Il should make an admirable tumbler. He then placed me under the tuition of Sieur Balmate, called the “little devil,’’ with orders to train me. My master just escap- ed breaking my loins at the first bend which he con:- lied me to make. I took two or three lessons daily. n less than three weeks I was able to execute, with much skill, the gy & ani the drunkard’'s leap, the coward’s leap, etc. My teacher, delighted at my pro- gress, took pains to forward me; a hundred times I thought that in developing my powers he would dislo- cate my limbs. At length we reached the difficulties of the art, which became more and more complicated. I nearly split myself in two; and in the chair-leap, I broke my nc2e. Bruised, maimed, and tired of so perilous & business, I h, you do not like it?’’ said he; to my refusal, gave me a sound Balmate entirely, and returned become a vaulter, “* aud without objectin thumping. I then le to my lamps. Comus had given me up, and it was now for Garnier to give meaturn. Oneday, after having beaten me more than usual (for he shared this leasing office with Co- mus), Garnier, measuring me from head to foot, and doublet, through which my flesh was visible, said to me, “T like you; you have reached the point that pleases Now, le you are obedient, it remains with yourself me, to be hay PY § from to-day you must let your nails grow; your hair is already of a sufficient length; you are nearly naked, aud a decoction of walnut-tree leaves will do the rest."’ 1 did not understand what Garnier meant, when he called my friend Paillasse, and desired him to bring the tiger skinand club. Paillasse obeyed. ‘‘ Now,” said Garnier, “ we will go through the performance. You are a young savage from the South Seas, and more- over, a cannibal; you eat raw flesh, the sight of blood uts youin a fury, and when you are thirsty, you intro- uce into your mouth flints, which you crack; you ut- ter only broken and shrill sounds, you open your eyes widely, your motions are violent; you only move with or your model the ourang-outang who is in @ number one.” During this lesson, a jar full of small stones, quite round, was placed at my feet, and near it a cock, which was tired with yrs 3 its legs tied together; Garnier took it, and Oo me, saying, “‘“Gnaw away at this.” I would not bite it; he threatened me. dozen cuffs of the ear. But he did not get off scot-free; ' irritated at this usage, I seized a stake, and should as- suredly have knocked the naturalist on the head, if the | whole troupe hod not fallen on me, and thrust me out at the door, with a shower of blows from the fists and a *] aad apa bo rd, I ! bli me rwa was at the same public- 4 hibited n street. We made acquaintance, had inspired them with some feel- ings of interest. The husband pitied me for havin been condemned to what he termed the society o beasts. He compared me with Daniel in the lions’ den. We may see that he was learned, and intended for. something better than to play “Punch.” At a later | period he superintended a provincial theatrical com- any, and perhaps superintends it still. I shall conceal is name. The embryo m er was very witty, though his wife did not perceive it; he was very ugly, | _which she plainly perceived. She was one of those | smart brunettes wit destiny thau to light a fire of straw. I was , her hus went to see this couple; it struck me that they would advise me pereey They gave me some dinner, and congratulated mein having dared to free myself from the despotic yoke of Garnier. own master,” said the husband to me, “ you had beiter accompany us; you will assist us; at least, when we are three in number, we shall have no lost time between the acts; you will move the actors while round with the hat; thus the public will be attracted yy will be more abundant. pect all he might desire, and besides she The situa- kward in reply; not teful; we were happy and constantly togethes. At home, we only laughed, pi za’s ed, and joked. ’s sport; when at work of our master, who leading me to a kind of small room, | we were side by side under a narrow cabin, formed of said, whilst showing me the lamps and wooden chan- | four cloth deliers—* There is your employment, you must clean these and put them in proper order; do you under- atand? of the animals, and brush the floors.” job, which did not greatly please me: the tallow dis- gusted me, an’ [ was not quite at my ease with the monkeys, who earaged to see a fool to whom they were not accustomed, :rade inconceivable efforts to tear my : My duty | eh peep I appeared before the director, who said | eyes out, But I yielded to iron necessity. And afterward you must clean out the cages Il went about my a Gps by the splendid title of “ The- ng Varieties.” ater of Amu Eliza was on the right of her husband, and I on her right hand, and filled her - piace when she was not there superintend the exits | and entrances. One Sunday the play was in full repre- sentation, and there was a crowded audience round the ae, Punch had beaten everybody, and our master having nothing more to do with one of his personages (the Sergeant of the Watch) wished it to be removed, and called for his assistant. We heard him not. sistant, assistant,” he repeated with impatience, and at tI was an apt pupil, and that if I was assiduous he | third time turning around he saw us laughing arg would do something for me. [rose early, and was very | kissing each other. Eliza, surprised, sought fe hungry; it was teu o’clack, but no signs of breakfast | an excuse, but the husband without listening cried out Were visible, and yet it was agreed that I should have | again, “ Assistant,”’ and thrust agaiust his eye the hook , and excel- | low the interrogatory, th turnips: I cleared the whole u rebelled, and | demanded to be released; to which he replied by a_ — the reception cognized She had long eyelashes, whose hearts are | of most inflammable material, which deserves a better young, and | an “Since you are your. goes a answered that she would | Lille wi pretty little maid-servant, who had discovered that I was was clad in the uniform o? the Bourbon regiment. an of a garrison life. I mounted which served to suspend the sergeant. At the same moment the blood flowed, the representation was inter- rupted, and a battle ensued between the two married people; the show was overturned, and we were exposed in the midst of a numerous crowd of spectators, from whom this scene drew a lengthened peal of applause and laughter. This disaster again threw me on the wide world, with- out a home to shelter my head. If Ihad hada decent appearance, I might have procured a situation in a re- oe family, but my appearance was so wretclicd that no one would have anything to say to me, In my situation I had but one resource, that of returning to Arras; but then how to exist on theroad? I wasaprey whom I took by his pagan Sag = to bea peddler. / «n- tered into conversation with him, and hetold me he was going to Lille; that he sold powders, opiates, and elixirs, cut corns, relieved bunions, and sometimes “x- tracted teeth. ‘Itisa good trade,” added he, * but i am getting old, and want somebody to carry my pack; it isa stiff-backed fellow like you that I need, witha _ firm foot and steady eye; soif you like we will tramp it together.” ‘* Willingly,” was my reply, and withou‘ any further stipulation, we went on our way together. After an eight hours’ walk, night drew on, and we could scarcely see our way, when we halted before a wretch- ed village inn. ‘ Here it is,” said the itinerant doctor, knocking at the door. ‘* Whois there?” cried a hoarse voice. “* Father Godard with his pack,” answered my guide; and, the door ms wena opeulis. we found ourselves in the midst of a crowd of peddlers, tinker's, quack-doctors, umbrella-venders, showmen, etc., who hailed my new master, and ordered a plate to be broug!it for him, I thought they would do me equal honor, atu! I was about to seat myself at the table, when the host, striking me familiarly on the shoulder, asked me if Iwas not mountebank of Father Godard. ‘* Who do you call a mountebank?” said I, with astonish- ment. ‘The merry-andrew, then.” I confess that, despite of the recent reminiscences of the men- agerie, and the Theater of Amusing Varieties, I felt mortified at such an appellation, t I had a devil of an appetite, and as I thought that supper would fol- and that, after all, my situation with Father Godard had not been accurately defined, I consented to pass for his mountebank. On my answer- ing, the host led me at once to a neighboring spot, a sort of barn, where a dozen of fellows were smoking, drinking, and playing at cards. He said that they would send me in something to eat. Soon afterward, a stout wench brought me in a mess in a wooden bow), on which { fed with the utmost avidity. A loin of mut- ton was swimming in a sea o? pot-liquor with stringy in a twinkling. This done, I laid myself down with the other packmen's valets on some piles of straw, which we shared with a camel, two muzzled bears, and a crowd of learned dogs. The vicinity of such bedfellows was not the most pleas- ing; but it was necessary to put up with it. I did not close me eyes, while all the others snored away most gloriously. Father Godard paid for all, and however bad were tlie beds and the fare, as we drew near Arras, it was neces- sary that I should not quit him. At length we reached Lille, which we entered ona market day. By way «( rere | no time, Father Godard went straight to the rincipal square, and desired me to arrange his table, his chest, his vials, and packets, and then proposed that I should go and announce his arrival round the place. I had made a good breakfast, and the proposition dis- usted me: I could put up with acting with a dronie-. ary, and ee s baggage from Ostend to Lille, but to go round in parade, at ten leagues from Arras— No! Ll bade adieu to Father Godard, and then set out toward my native city, of which the clock soon became visible. Having reached the foot of the ramparts, be- fore the closing of the gates, I trembled at the idea of should meet with: one moment I was tempted to beat a retreat, but fatigue and hunger could not allow that; rest and food were vitally necessary: ! wavered no longer, and ran toward any paternal roof. My mother was alone in the shop: I entered, and throwing myself at her feet, wept, while I entreated her forgiveness. The poor old woman, who hardly re- me, 80 greatly wasI altered, was softened. not power to repulse me, and even appeared to have forgotten all. She reinstated me in my old chamber, r having supplied all my wants. t it was necessary to tell my father of my return. She did not feel co e to face his first bursts of anger: a priest of her acquaintance, the almoner of the ment of Anjou, garrisoned at Arras, undertook to the bearer of the words of peace: and my father, after ha vowed fire and flames, consented to pardon me, I trembled lest he should prove inexorable, and when i learnt that he had yielded, [ jumped for Joy. The al- moner brought the news to me, and followed it up with amoral application, which was no doubt very touch- ing, but I do not remember a word of it; I only recol- lect that he quoted the parable of the Prodigal Son, which was in truth a history similar to my own. ¥y adventures had made some noise in the city; everybody was anxious to hear them from my own lips, But no one, except one actress of the Arras company took any interest in me. A sudden journey to my conquest, her husband, and a very me off for her sister, proved to my father that I had soon forgotten the troubles of my fi