It
was a village fair, and Punch with his usual retinue - Judy, the
Beadle, and the Constable - had established himself on one side of the
green; while on the other were to be seen, Martin, the learned ass, and
Peerless Jacquot, the wonderful parrot. Matthieu la Bouteille (such was
the nickname bestowed upon the owner of the ass, a name justified by the
redness of his nose) held Martin by the bridle, while Peerless Jacquot
rested on his shoulder, attached by a chain to his belt. His wife,
surnamed La Mauricaude, had undertaken to assemble the company, and to
display Martin's talents. Thomas, the son of La Mauricaude, a child of
eleven years of age, covered with a few rags, which had once been a pair
of trowsers and a shirt, collected, in the remnant of a hat, the
voluntary contributions of the spectators; while in the background, sad
and silent, stood Gervais, a lad of between fourteen and fifteen years
of age, Matthew's son by a former marriage.
"Come,
ladies and gentlemen," exclaimed La Mauricaude, in her hoarse voice,
"come and see Martin; he will tell you, ladies and gentlemen, what you
know and what you don't know. Come, ladies and gentlemen, and hear
Peerless Jacquot; he will reply to what you say to him, and to what you
do not say to him." And this joke, constantly repeated by La Mauricaude
in precisely the same tone, always attracted an audience of pretty
nearly the same character.
"Now
then, Martin," continued La Mauricaude, as soon as the circle was
formed, "tell this honourable company what o'clock it is." Martin,
whether he did not understand, or did not choose to reply, still
remained motionless. La Mauricaude renewed the question: Martin shook
his ears. "Do you say, Martin, that you cannot see the clock at this
distance?" continued La Mauricaude. "Has any one a watch?" Immediately
an enormous watch was produced from the pocket of a farmer, and placed
under the eyes of Martin, who appeared to consider it attentively. The
whole assembly, like Martin himself, stretched forward with increased
attention. It was just noon by the watch; after a few moments'
reflection, Martin raised his head and uttered three vigorous hihons, to
which the crowd responded by a burst of laughter, which did not in the
least appear to disturb Martin. "Oh, oh! Martin," cried La Mauricaude,
"I see you are thinking of three o'clock, the time for having your oats;
but you must wait, so what say you to a game of cards, in order to pass
the time?" And a pack of cards, almost effaced by dirt, was immediately
extracted from a linen bag which hung at La Mauricaude's right side,
and spread out in the midst of the circle, which drew in closer, in
order to enjoy a nearer view of the spectacle about to be afforded by
the talents of Martin. "Now then, Martin; now then, my boy," continued
his instructress, "draw: draw first of all the knave of hearts, and
present it to this honourable company as a sign of your attachment and
respect;" and already the two or three wits of the crowd had nodded
their heads with an air of approbation at this ingenious compliment,
when Martin, after repeated orders, put forth his right foot, and placed
it upon the seven of spades.
At
this moment the voice of a parrot was heard in the midst of the crowd,
distinctly pronouncing the words, "That won't do, my good fellow." It
was Peerless Jacquot, who, wearied at not having been called upon to
join in the conversation, repeated one of his favourite phrases. The
appropriateness of his speech restored the good humour of the company,
who were beginning to be disgusted with Martin's stupidity; and their
attention would probably have been bestowed upon Jacquot, had not
Punch's trumpet been at that moment heard, announcing that the actors
were ready and the performances about to commence. At this signal
Martin's audience began to disperse; the ranks thinned, and the remnant
of the hat, which was seen advancing in the hands of Thomas, effectually
drove away those who still lingered from curiosity or indifference. All
took the same direction; and Matthew, Thomas, La Mauricaude, Martin,
and Jacquot followed, with more or less of ill-humour, the crowd which
had deserted them. Gervais alone, separating from them, went into a
neighbouring street to offer his services, during the fair time, to a
farrier engaged in shoeing the horses of the visitors.
A
far different spectacle from any with which Martin could amuse them,
awaited the curious on the other side of the green. An enormous mastiff
had just been unharnessed from a little cart, upon which he had brought
the theatre and company of the Marionettes; and now, lying down in front
of the tent and at the feet of his master, he seemed to take under his
protection those things which had thus far travelled under his
conveyance. Medor's appearance was that of a useful and well-treated
servant; his looks towards his master those of a confiding friend.
Va-bon-train (this was the name of the owner of the Marionettes) might
easily be recognized for an old soldier. The regularity of his movements
added greatly to the effect of their vivacity; everything happened in
its proper turn, and at its proper time. His utterance was precise
without being abrupt, and the tone of military firmness which he
associated with the tricks of his trade, gave to them a certain degree
of dignity. Words taken from the languages of the different countries
through which he had travelled were mingled, with wonderful gravity and
readiness, in the dialogue of the personages whom he put in action; and
scenes in which he had been personally concerned, either as actor or
witness, fired his imagination, and furnished incidents which enabled
him to vary his representations to an unlimited extent. He was assisted
by his son Michael, a fine lad about the age of Gervais, whom he very
much resembled, although the countenance of the one was as serious as
that of the other was cheerful and animated.
There
was nothing strange in this resemblance, for Matthew and Va-bon-train
were brothers, and Michael and Gervais therefore first cousins.
Va-bon-train, whose baptismal name was Vincent, owed his nickname less
to the regularity of his movements than to the vivacity of his
disposition and the promptitude of his determinations. Having at the age
of twenty-five lost his wife, to whom he was much attached, and who had
died in giving birth to Michael, he could not endure even a temporary
grief, and therefore determined, in order to divert his mind, to enter
the army, which he did in the quality of substitute, leaving the price
of his engagement for the support of his son, whom he confided to the
care of Matthew's wife, who had just given birth to Gervais. She nursed
both the children, and brought them up with an equal tenderness and in
good habits, for she was a worthy woman. They went to the same school,
where they learned to read and write, and were instructed in their
religion; they began working together in Matthew's shop, at his trade of
a blacksmith; and, in fine, they were united by a friendship which was
no less ardent on the part of the lively Michael than on that of the
graver Gervais. At the age of thirteen, Gervais had the misfortune of
losing his mother, and almost at the same time the additional one of
being separated from Michael. Vincent Va-bon-train, who had obtained his
discharge, had come for his son, whose assistance he required in
carrying out his enterprise of the Marionettes, in which he had just
engaged. Soon afterwards Matthew's affairs began to fall into confusion.
While his wife lived she had kept a check on his love of drink, but no
sooner was she dead than he gave himself up to it without restraint. At
the tavern he became acquainted with La Mauricaude, a low,
bad-principled woman, who had followed all sorts of trades. He was
foolish enough to marry her, and they soon squandered the little that
remained to him, already much diminished by his disorderly conduct. Then
she persuaded him to give up the shop, and travel through the country
with his ass and his parrot, assuring him that he would thereby gain a
great deal of money. This wandering kind of life accorded better than
regular labour with Matthew's newly-acquired habits; and he was the more
ready to trust the assurances of his wife, as Va-bon-train had just
reappeared in the country in a prosperous condition, the result of the
success of his Marionettes. Matthew then formed the idea of entering
into partnership with his brother; but the latter was not at all anxious
for the connexion, as Matthew's conduct was not calculated to inspire
him with any confidence. His second marriage had displeased him, and he
disliked La Mauricaude, though he had seen her but casually; but a
soldier is not apt to be deterred by trifles, nor to allow his
antipathies to interfere with his actions; and besides, Matthew had
rendered him a service in bringing up his son Michael. For this he was
grateful, and glad, therefore, to have an opportunity of manifesting his
gratitude. The caravan consequently set out, Michael delighted at being
once more with his beloved Gervais, and Gervais sad at leaving the
respectable and regular course of life which suited him, viz. his trade
of blacksmith, in which, notwithstanding his father's negligence in
instructing him, he had already attained some proficiency. He was in
some degree consoled, however, by the prospect of travelling, and
travelling with Michael; and he was glad to leave a place where the
misconduct of his father had ended in destroying the good reputation
which until then his family had always enjoyed.
Unfortunately,
the faults which had destroyed Matthew's reputation followed him
wherever he went. Before the end of the first week, the two parties had
disagreed. The baseness of La Mauricaude, and the wicked propensities of
her son Thomas, who was always better pleased with stealing a thing
than with receiving it as a gift, were soon discovered to Va-bon-train,
in a manner which led him to determine to break his agreement with them
as readily as he had made it; and when he said to his brother, "We must
separate," just as when he said, "We will go together," the matter was
settled, and all opposition was out of the question. Michael no more
thought of opposing his father's resolution than any one else, he only
threw himself weeping into the arms of Gervais, who pressed his hand
sadly, but with resignation, having at least the comfort of thinking
that his uncle would no longer be a witness of the disgraceful conduct
of his family. La Mauricaude was furious, and declared that she was not
to be shaken off in that easy style; and she determined to follow her
brother-in-law, in spite of himself, in order to profit by the crowd he
always attracted, and to endeavour at the same time to injure him,
either by speaking ill of him in every way she could, or by trying to
interrupt his performances, by the shrieks of the parrot, which she had
taught to repeat insulting phrases, and to imitate the voice of the
Marionettes. For two months she persisted in her resolution,
notwithstanding the remonstrances of Matthew, whose remonstrances,
indeed, were usually of very little avail. At first, Va-bon-train was
annoyed with these things; but he soon reconciled himself to them with
his usual promptitude. One day, however, he said to his brother,
"Listen, Matthew: the roads are free; but let me not hear that you have
allowed any one to think that that toad yonder has the insolence to call
herself my sister." So saying, he showed La Mauricaude the whip with
which he was accustomed to give Medor a slight touch now and then, in
order to keep him attentive, and the handle of which had more than once
warned Michael of some failure in discipline. From that time, Gervais no
longer saluted his uncle, for fear of offending him; and La Mauricaude,
notwithstanding her impudence, did not dare to run the risk of braving
him openly. Besides, she would have found it no easy task to entice away
his audience. Who could enter into competition with "the great, the
wonderful, il vero Scaramuccia, Gentlemen, just come direct from Naples,
to present to you, lustrissimi, the homage of his colleagues, the
Lazzaroni? Baccia vu, your hand, Monsu de Scaramouche." And Scaramouche
bowed his head, and raised his hand to his mouth, with a series of
movements capable of making you forget the threads by which they were
directed. "Look, gentlemen, look at Scaramouche, look at him full in the
face; it is indeed Scaramouche; he has not a sou, not a pezzetta,
Gentlemen, but how happy he is! See him with his mouth extended from ear
to ear; his foot raised, ready to run or jump: but one turn of the
hand, one single turn of the wheel of fortune, and behold the
metamorphosis! How anxious and grieved he looks! He is now the Signor
Scaramuccia, he has become rich, he is counting his money in his hand;
he counts, and now he counts more still, and ever with increased
vexation. Oh! what has happened to him now? His countenance is changed.
Oh! what a piteous face! He weeps; he tears his cap. Povero Scaramuccia!
What! presso 'l denaro! Your money has been stolen! Come, come,
Scaramouche, fa cuore, take courage. No!... Ammazarti? You want to kill
yourself! Very well then, but first of all a little Macaroni. Yes, poor
fellow, he will enjoy his Macaroni. See, gentlemen, how piteously he
stretches out his hand, how he eats with tears in his eyes; but, pian
piano, Scaramuccia, gently, vuoi mangiare tutto? Would you eat the
whole? Alas! yes; tutto mangiare, all, per morire! in order that he may
die! What, die of indigestion! You are joking, Scaramouche; Macaroni
never killed a Lazzarone. Stop, see, he revives again; how he draws up
his leg as a mark of pleasure! How he turns his eyes every time he opens
his mouth to receive una copiosa pinch di Macaroni! O che gusto! che
boccone! How delightful! what a mouthful! Make your minds easy,
gentlemen, Scaramouche is alive again." A variety of scenes succeeded,
displaying Scaramouche under numerous aspects, each more admirable than
the former. The last was that in which the German on duty stopped
Scaramouche, with the exclamation Wer da! Scaramouche replied in
Italian, vainly endeavouring to make himself understood, and avoiding,
by dint of suppleness, the terrible bayonet of the German. Then Punch
came up, arguing to as little purpose in French. At length, the Devil
carried away the German, and Punch and Scaramouche went to enjoy a
bottle together.
The
beauty of the invention drew forth enthusiastic and universal applause;
the politicians of the place exchanged mysterious glances; and when
Scaramouche presented to the assembled crowd the little saucer which had
been placed in his hands, there was no one who did not hasten to offer
his sou, his liard, or his centime, for the pleasure of receiving a bow
or a nod from Scaramouche.
The
crowd slowly dispersed, conversing on the pleasure they had enjoyed.
"His Scaramouche breaks my back," said La Mauricaude, in a tone of
ill-temper.
"I have often told you, wife," replied her husband, "that by persisting in following them"....
"I
have often told you, husband, that you are a fool," was the reply of La
Mauricaude. To Matthew it appeared unanswerable; and Thomas, at a look
from his mother, went off to visit Medor, who received him politely, and
with an air of old acquaintanceship. Va-bon-train perceived him,
cracked his great whip, and Thomas immediately ran away as fast as he
could.
Gervais
was passing along the green, leading back to its owner a horse, which
he had helped to shoe. He did not approach, but Medor perceived him at a
distance, got up, wagged his tail, and gave a slight whine, partly from
the delight of seeing him, and partly from annoyance at not being able
to go with him. Gervais gave him a friendly nod. Michael fondly kissed
the great head of Medor, and a smile seemed to brighten the countenance
of Gervais, at this expression of Michael's affection. It was only in
such ways as this that any interchange of thought was permitted to them.
Though
possessed of many good qualities, Va-bon-train had one defect, - that
of forming precipitate judgments, and of being unwilling to correct them
when formed. He came to a decision at once, in order that a matter
might the sooner be settled; and when he had decided, he did not wish to
be disturbed in his opinion, as it took up too much time to change his
mind. The violence done to his feelings in enduring La Mauricaude for a
whole week had so much increased his prejudice, that it had extended to
the whole family. La Mauricaude was a demon, Matthew a fool, Thomas a
rascal, and Gervais a simpleton. These four judgments once pronounced,
were not to be over-ruled. Va-bon-train was very fond of his son, whose
disposition quite accorded with his own; but he kept him, in military
style, under a strict and prompt obedience, aware that the kind of life
he made him follow, might, without the greatest care, lead a young man
into habits of irregularity and idleness. Fortunately Michael was
possessed of good dispositions, had been well brought up, and preferred
to all other company the society of his father, who amused him with his
numerous anecdotes. Besides, he made it a matter of pride to assist his
father as much as possible, and was never so delighted as when his
exertions had contributed to the success of the day. Va-bon-train's
industry was not confined to his Marionettes; he took advantage of his
constant journeys to carry on a small traffic, purchasing in one canton
such goods as happened to be cheap there, and selling them in some
other, where they were of greater value. He taught Michael how to buy
and sell, and make advantageous speculations; and Michael would have
been perfectly happy in following this kind of busy, useful life, had it
not been for the grief he felt in being unable to share his pleasures
with Gervais. But when, after having slept at the best inn which the
town or village in which they happened to be, afforded, he saw Gervais
in the morning, pale, from having passed a cold or rainy night with no
other shelter than an old barn, his heart was pierced; and,
notwithstanding his father's commands, he found means to get away, and,
with a flask in his hand, hastened to offer a glass of wine to his
friend, who refused it with a shake of the head, but with a friendly
look. Michael sighed; yet this refusal only served to increase his
affection for Gervais; for he well knew that his offer was refused from
honourable feelings, not from pride or rancour. Nor was his mind
relieved, except when Gervais succeeded in finding work; for then he
knew that he would have a good day. When at work, the habitually sad
expression of Gervais' countenance, gave place to an air of animation
quite pleasant to behold; and even Va-bon-train himself had been unable
to resist the temptation of stopping to look at him; and, observing the
dexterity and courage with which he managed the horses, he remarked, "By
my faith, that fellow works well." Then Michael hastened to reply, "Oh!
Gervais is a capital workman;" and he was beginning to add, "and such a
good boy too," when Va-bon-train passed on and spoke of other things.
Michael then contented himself with remaining a little behind, watching
Gervais at work; and when they had exchanged looks, they separated
satisfied.
Up
to that time Gervais had been unsuccessful in his efforts to find a
master who would take him into regular employment. There was no one to
be answerable for him; and those with whom he travelled were not of a
character to give him a recommendation. However, he made the best he
could of his wandering life, by endeavouring to perfect himself in his
trade, losing no opportunity of gaining information, and examining with
care the treatment employed in the various maladies of animals, and all
the other operations of the veterinary art. He also managed to live on
his daily earnings, which he economized with the greatest care, and
thereby escaped the necessity of partaking of the ill-gotten repasts of
La Mauricaude and her son. Sometimes even he shared his own food with
his father, whose wretched life was spent in a state of alternate
intoxication and want, giving himself up to drink the moment he had
money, and the next day going without bread. As it suited La Mauricaude
to have some one who could take care of the ass and the parrot, while
she and her son attended to their own affairs, they were induced to
treat Matthew with some degree of consideration, at least so far as to
allow him a share in their profits, of which, however, they were careful
to conceal from him the source, for Matthew, even in his degraded
condition, preserved an instinct of honesty, which sometimes caused him
to say with a significant air, but only when he was intoxicated, "As for
me, I am an honest man;" for when sober, he had not so much wit. La
Mauricaude had several times endeavoured to get from Gervais the money
he earned, but her demands were always firmly resisted, and Gervais
afterwards took especial care not to leave his money within reach of her
or her son. She had likewise tried to breed dissensions between him and
his father; but Matthew respected his son, and La Mauricaude found that
it was not to her interest to excite too much the attention of Gervais,
for his surveillance would have been very inconvenient to her. She
therefore ended by leaving him in tolerable peace, one reason of which
may have been that she saw little of him, as he usually left the party
as soon as it was day, and did not return until bed-time, when he rarely
slept under a roof, unless it was that of some deserted shed.
The
performances of the morning were over, and Va-bon-train stood chatting
at the door of the inn where he had dined with an old friend, a
blacksmith from Lyons. They were then about twenty-five leagues distant
from that town, on the road to Tournon, whither the blacksmith was going
on some private business. Blanchet, such was this person's name, was
clever at his trade, and well to do in the world. The blacksmith of the
village in which they were then staying was a former apprentice and
workman of his, and he had stopped to visit him as he passed through,
and was now on the point of resuming his journey. The forge was at a
short distance from the inn; and Gervais, who had just left it, as it
was getting dark, came up to the spot where Va-bon-train and Blanchet
were conversing. The street was narrow, and, moreover, partially blocked
up by a horse that was tied in front of the inn. Va-bon-train chancing
to turn his head in the direction by which Gervais was approaching,
perceived him coming, and drew back to allow him to pass. Gervais
blushed and hesitated; he had not been so close to his uncle for two
months. At length he passed on, and, without raising his eyes, bowed to
him as he would have done to a stranger, but with an expression of the
most profound respect. Michael's eyes were suffused with tears, and for a
moment those of Va-bon-train followed his nephew, who, turning round
and encountering his uncle's looks, hastily withdrew his own and
continued his way.
"Do you know that lad ?" demanded Blanchet.
—"Why ?"
"Because yonder at the forge, a short time since, they were talking about you."
—"And what did he say ?" continued Va-bon-train, with an expression of rising displeasure.
—"He?
Nothing:—but one of the men was relating something, I don't know what,
about a woman with whom he had been drinking yesterday, some two leagues
hence, and who told him that you had abandoned your brother in
misfortune. This lad immediately tapped him on the shoulder, saying,
'Comrade, that is no business of yours. It is always best not to
interfere in family quarrels.' The man was silenced; and I, learning
from what passed, that you were here, for I had not then been out upon
the green, I wished to add my word, so I said, that if you did leave
your brother in misfortune, it must be because he deserved it, for I
well knew the kindness of your heart; whereupon, the young fellow gave
me also my answer, though politely enough however, for he said,
'Notwithstanding all that, Master Blanchet, it is much better not to
interfere in family affairs;' and the lad was right as to that; but from
all this I thought he must know you, more especially when, a short time
since, while passing the inn-yard, I saw him enter it, and draw some
water for your dog to drink."
Va-bon-train was visibly moved. Michael, whose heart beat violently, looked at his father.
"He was at work, then, at the blacksmith's?" demanded the latter with some degree of emotion.
"Yes;
and hard at it too, I can tell you. It is vexatious that you do not
know him. He was anxious to be taken as a regular hand there; but when
asked who would be answerable for him, he replied, 'No one.' Had it not
been for this, I would have engaged him myself, for I am sure he will
turn out a capital workman."
"You think so?"
"Oh!
you should see how he sets to work; he would learn more about his
business with me in six months, than with any one else in three years.
But one cannot take him without a recommendation. I heard him say to one
of his companions, that this was the third situation he had lost in
this manner, nor will he ever get one."
"Oh dear!" exclaimed Michael, who could no longer restrain his feelings.
"Well!"
said Va-bon-train. "My friend Blanchet will take him on my
recommendation. Take him, friend; I know him, and will be answerable for
him."
"Nonsense! what are you talking about?"
"Nothing; only that I shall see you at Lyons, whither you are returning:—but when?"
"I shall be there on Monday week."
"And
so shall I; and I will come and dine with you: we will arrange this
matter over our glasses. But, at all events, you will take the lad if I
am answerable for him; do not make me break my word."
"No, no; the thing is settled; good bye till Monday week;" and they parted.
"But Gervais must be told," said Michael, trembling with joy.
"Go,
then, and make haste back; tell him to be at Lyons by Monday week, if
possible; but, above all, he must take care that the old toad knows
nothing about it." This was his usual epithet for La Mauricaude. Michael
departed, and Va-bon-train went to a neighbouring tavern, into which he
had seen Matthew and his company enter. The price of a pair of
stockings worth fifty sous, which had been stolen from a shop at the
fair, and sold a quarter-of-an-hour afterwards for twenty, served to
defray the expenses of the party; and Matthew, owing to the cheapness of
the wine that season, was just on the verge of intoxication, when
Va-bon-train, coming up, said to him, "Matthew, there is but one word
between you and me: when I go one way, you must take care and go the
other; if you don't, your old toad and her young one will every morning
get for their breakfast a sound dressing from this whip."
"As
for me, Vincent, I am an honest man," stammered Matthew. La Mauricaude
was about to vociferate; and the host took part with his customer.
"Friend,"
said Va-bon-train, "when you settle your account with that hussey, I
will not interfere; but look well to the money she gives you:" and he
walked out. As soon as he was gone, La Mauricaude poured forth a torrent
of abuse. Those of her neighbours whose hearts began to be warmed and
their wits clouded by the wine they had taken, agreed unanimously, that
to come and insult in that manner respectable people, who were quietly
taking their glass, without interfering with any one, was a thing not to
be borne: and Matthew again repeated, "As for me, I am an honest man."
The rest, as they looked at La Mauricaude and her son, made some
reflections on Va-bon-train's speech, and the host thought it high time
to demand payment. This completed the ill-humour of La Mauricaude.
As
for Michael, he had hastened to Gervais, and delivered his message. A
sudden flush of surprise and joy suffused the countenance of the latter,
on learning that his uncle would be answerable for him; and when the
voice of Va-bon-train was heard calling his son, the two friends pressed
each other's hands, and parted, each cherishing the thought of the
happiness which was about to dawn for both of them.
All
was quiet at the inn where Va-bon-train had taken up his abode for the
night, when, awaking from his first sleep, he thought he heard Medor in
the yard, groaning, and very uneasy. He went down stairs, and was
surprised to find him tied by a cord to a tree that was near the cart,
and so short that he could scarcely move. As he was accustomed to allow
Medor his liberty at night, feeling quite sure that he would make use of
it only to defend more effectually his master's property, he concluded
that some one had thought to render him a service, by tying up the dog
for fear of his escaping; for in the darkness he had not perceived that
the other end of the cord which attached Medor to the tree, had been
passed round his nose, so as to form a kind of muzzle. Eager to liberate
the poor animal, he cut the cord, which was fastened round his neck by a
slip knot, and which, but for the intervention of his collar, must have
strangled him. The cord once cut, the knot gave way, and, by the aid of
his fore paws, Medor was soon freed from his ignoble fetters. No sooner
had he regained his liberty, than he began to scent with avidity all
round the yard, moaning the whole time; then he dashed against the
stable door as if he would break it in. His master, astonished, opened
it for him, supposing, from what he knew of his instinct, that some
suspicious person might be concealed there; but Medor was contented with
running across the stable, still scenting, to the opposite door, which
led into the street, and which, by the means of this stable, formed one
of the entrances to the inn. His master called him, he came back with
reluctance, and, still moaning, laid down at his feet, as if to solicit a
favour; then he ran to the vehicle, again returned, and rushed with
greater violence against the first door, which his master had in the
mean time closed. Astonished at these manœuvres, Va-bon-train went to
his cart; but everything was in order, the trunk locked, and nothing
apparently to justify the dog's agitation. Then, presuming that Medor,
notwithstanding his good sense, was, like all dogs and all children,
impatient to set out on his journey, and had been seized with this fancy
rather earlier than usual, he gave him a cut with his whip, sent him
back to the cart, and returned to bed.
The
next morning, when he went down, he called Medor, but no Medor
answered. He sought for him everywhere, but without success; he then
recollected what had taken place during the night, and feared that some
one had stolen him.
"Was
he there," demanded one of the travellers, "when you went down in the
night to take something from your cart?" Va-bon-train declared that he
had taken nothing from his cart.
"The
heat was insufferable," continued the man, "and we had the window open.
One of the workmen from the forge, who slept in my room, said: 'See,
there is some one meddling with the box belonging to the exhibitor of
the Marionettes.' 'His dog does not growl,' said I, 'so it must be the
man himself. Never mind, friend; let us sleep.'"
Va-bon-train
hastened to his box, which was still locked; he opened it, and found
everything in disorder: Scaramouche had disappeared, as well as a dozen
of Madras handkerchiefs, the remains of a lot purchased at the fair of
Beaucaire, and the greater part of which had been sold on his journey.
Who could have done this? Va-bon-train remembered having found a key
upon the road, a few days after he had associated himself with Matthew,
and which fitted his trunk. He lost it again the next day, but had not
troubled himself about it. Now he guessed into whose hands it had
fallen, and felt assured that Medor would not have allowed himself to be
approached and led away by any one but an acquaintance.
"That
boy who was at work close by, at the blacksmith's," said the landlord
of the inn, "did he not come in here, and give the dog some drink?"
"He who came with the woman and the ass?" said the hostess. "He seemed to be a respectable lad."
"You
may think so," replied a neighbour; "but when I saw him enter the
stable yonder, after dark, I said to Cateau, What is that little
vagabond going to do there?"
"Gervais!" exclaimed Michael.
"Yes,"
said the landlord, "he was called Gervais at the blacksmith's." The
flush of anger mounted to the face of Va-bon-train. The idea of having
been duped was added to the annoyance of his loss, and he swore that he
would never again be caught overcoming a prejudice. A less hasty
disposition would have examined whether the innkeeper and the neighbour
were not speaking of different persons, and whether suspicion ought not
more naturally to fall upon Thomas and La Mauricaude. But the woman
whose explanations would have thrown light upon the subject had gone
home, and among those who remained there was no one who had seen them,
or, at all events, who would acknowledge to have done so; for where
there is not some falsehood to complicate matters, it is rare that truth
does not break out, so great is its tendency to manifest itself.
Guizot Madame (Elisabeth Charlotte Pauline) 1773-1827
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