The Adventures And Travels Of A Box Of Bonbons.

too much and lost his money . Another time , thought his Avife , Avho was a kindhearted woman . But the box of bonbons seemed to her , judging from its exterior , too good for her to keep and let the children play with . So she took it with her Avhen she Avent to church next morning

, in order to give it to the cure , Avhom she greatly liked ; for she AA as a good woman , ancl too simple-minded to reflect that such a gift Avas not very appropriate . The good cure accepted the box kindly , in order not to hurt her feelings . "Bonbons ? " he

said , AA'ith a smile . " Many thanks , if not for myself , at least for my school-children ; they Avill be delighted . " Going into the sacristy , he met a lady of rank , the Duchess of T . ; her Grace ' s experienced eyes fell on the box of Siraudin ' s bonbons , Avhich the

cure held carelessly in his hand . " One Avould think , " she said , jestingly , "that you make Avorldly NeAV Year ' s presents , as Ave do in our profane circles . " " This box , madame , Avas given me for the poor , " ansAvered the cure , AA'ith some

slight embarrassment . " Oh , then it can be bought , " said the Duchess , quickly , as she took a bank-note from her enamelled porte-monnaie , glad to find such a delicate way of giving the present Avhich she had long Avished to make .

The cv / t-e took the tAvo hundred franc note , gave the box to the lady , ancl knelt doAvn in a retired corner to return thanks for his fortunate rencontre Avith the sergeant-major ' s wife ancl the Duchess . The latter Avent home , and the box of bonbons seemed after its many wanderings

at length to Lave reached its final destination . The Duchess had just taken off the Avrapper , in order to examine the costly bonbons ( for which she had paid ten napoleons ) more closely , Avhen a footman entered the room , and announced " Old

Mathieu , from Montereau . " Old Mathieu ivas the head steAvard on the Duke ' s estate , and his father had held the same office under the Duchess ' s parents . He Avas nothing more than a simple peasant ; butas is the case in the princel

, y houses of a noble faubourg , he belonged in a certain sense to the family , and had IIOAV come from Montereau to offer his NCAV Year ' s congratulation to his master ' s famil y . " It is very kind of you , Pere Mathieu , "

said the Duchess , as she gave him her hand , Avhich the old man scarcely ventured to touch . " DoAvn-stairs you will find , in the porter ' s care , a large parcel for the children . How are they all at home ? Is Jean engaged yet to pretty YA'onne , and when is the wedding to be ? "

" Your Grace is talking of my eldest son ? " answered Mathieu . "Unfortunately , Jean cannot pluck up courage to speak , and the girl can ' t ask him herself , although we Avould gladly have her for a daughterin-laAV . "

"Jean is athorough simpleton , " exclaimed the Duchess ; ' ¦ ' tell him so from me , and bid him make haste . I have promised to g ive Yvonne a doAvry . " She Avrapped the box again in the paper , and gave it the old man . "BonbonsPere Mathieubetter

, , than any Avhich they make in Montereau ; but I have no others just now , and I forgot to put any in your parcel . And IIOAV good-bye ; don't forget to tell Jean that he must be less faint-hearted in the NBAV

Year . " The steward made a IOAV , clumsy boAv , put the box in his capacious coat-pocket , ancl Avent his way . When he reached his home that evening , he unpacked the parcel and gave each child its present . Then he called his eldest son .

" Jean , the Duchess is not p leased Avith you . She told me to tell you that you are a silly fellow . " "I am much obliged , father ; the Duchess is really too kind . " " No , she is quite right , " grumbled the

old man ; " you know very Avell what I mean . She has promised to give Yvonne a dowry , and you are afraid to speak . I really cannot believe that you are so fond of her as you say . " " 0 , father ! " cried his son , blushing scarlet , "IIOAV can you doubt whether I love her ? I think of her a hundred times

a clay , and have meant a hundred times to tell her so ; but Avhen I am with her , something chokes me , and I can't bring out a word . " '' Because you are a thorough simpleton , as the Duchess says , " ansAvered the old man roughly . After a pausehe added

, more gently , "Here , Jean , see Avhat she gave me ; bonbons , such as the great people in Paris eat . Take them and give them to Yvonne , or send them to her if you can ' t venture to take them to her yourself ,