Brotherly Love.

The narrative of Andre Buffon , for such was the name of this worthy , was soon circulated through the to svn ; but with such exaggerations ancl alterations , as the imagination of those who related it suggested , that Andre would have been at a loss to recognise his own story amid the distortions and novelties which it had undergone . Some . stated , that an encounter had taken place between the Maniac of

the Mount and Simon , and that Andre , happening to pass at the time , interposed , and was nearly murdered by the latter . Another version was , that Simon , who had become suddenly mad , attempted the life of Ida St . Claire , who was providentially rescued by Andre , whose life had nearly fallen a sacrifice to the insane fury of Simon . Again , it was asserted , that Simon met Alfred BeaufrcTe , and that a quarrel ensued between them

which rose to blows ; and being defeated , that Simon had flung himself over a precipice , thus terminating his existence . This latter statement relative to the suicide of Simon received something like a confirmation , as he had not been seen for some clays , and the vulgar mind , with its love for the marvellous and horrible , was ready to adopt anything as truth that pandered to its morbid appetite , without subjecting it to any severe

scrutiny . The whole story was as fine a specimen of that feeling common to humanity , which is so admirably illustrated in the fable of the " Three Black Crows , " as could well be furnished .

Eor the moment , xlndre was exalted into the character of a hero ; and when he was sufficiently recovered to make his appearance in the town , he found himself an object of general interest . Those who had never met him without a jibe or mocking , now accosted him in the most friendly manner , expressing sympathy for his suffering and admiration for his coin-age , beseeching him at the same time to give- them a full account of all that had

taken place . Some related what they had heard , and though he was rather startled at some of the mutations which his narrative had undergone , still he was so pleased with what he was told , that he did not contradict directly the absurd statements . He was proud to find that in all the versions lie was the hero , and he offered up a fervent aspiration that the statement relative

to Simon having committed suicide , might be verified , on the strength of which he added a supplemental and detailed account , in which his own valour shone conspicuous . Then there were various acts of eccentricity or actual indications of insanity in the manner of Simon , which were cited by some of his townsmen , all tending to prove that he was deranged . Indeed , several of these were

derived from the fancy of the speakers , and invented for the immediate occasion , but they had their weight with an auditory who wished them true ; and two facts were established in their minds , namely , that Simon Le Trouve was mad , and that under the influence of his mental aberration he had attempted to commit murder , if not suicide ,

Some who were not quite so sanguine in temperament or so ready to jump at a conclusion , suggested that it woidd be as well to institute some inquiries at the residence of Simon . This was readily adopted , and