Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 8, No. 50, December, 1861 | Page 5

the tranquil
round of the daily life, had formed many acquaintances and two or
three intimate ones, and, though reminded from time to time of the
General by a paternal letter, had altogether forgotten the specimens of
the children of the forest whom I had seen under his roof. One
evening--I do not remember the month, though I think it was late in the
autumn--I had made up my mind to stay at home and study, and was

just sitting down to my books, when a friend came in with the air of a
man who had something very interesting to say.
"Quick, quick! shut your book, and come with me to the theatre."
"Impossible! I'm tired, and, moreover, have something to do which I
must do to-night."
"To-morrow night will do just as well for that, but not for the theatre."
"Why?"
"Because there are some of your countrymen here who are going to be
exhibited on the stage, and the Countess P---- and all your friends want
you to come and interpret for them."
"Infinitely obliged. And pray, what do you mean by saying that some of
my countrymen are to be exhibited on the stage? Do you take
Americans for mountebanks?"
"No, I don't mean that; but it is just as I tell you. Some Americans will
appear on the stage to-night and make a speech in American, and you
must come and explain it to us."
I must confess, that, at first, my dignity was a little hurt at the idea of
an exhibition of Americans; but a moment's reflection convinced me
that I had no grounds for offence, and all of a sudden it occurred to me
that the "Americans" might be my friends of the Rue d'Anjou, whose
"guide and interpreter," though hardly their "friend," had got them
down as far as Siena on the general embassy. I was resolved to see, and
accordingly exchanging my dressing-gown and slippers for a dress-box
costume, I accompanied my friend to the theatre. My appearance at the
pit-door was the signal for nods and beckonings from a dozen boxes;
but as no one could dispute the superior claims of the Countess P----, I
soon found myself seated in the front of her Ladyship's box, and the
chief object of attention till the curtain rose.
"And now, my dear G----, tell us all about these strange countrymen of
yours,--how they live,--whether it is true that they eat one
another,--what kind of houses they have,--how they treat their
women,--and everything else that we ought to know."
Two or three years later, when Cooper began to be translated, they
would have known better; but now nothing could convince them that I
was not perfectly qualified to answer all their questions and stand
interpreter between my countrymen and the audience. Fortunately, I
had read Irving's beautiful paper in the "Sketch-Book," and knew "The

Last of the Mohicans" by heart; and putting together, as well as I could,
the ideas of Indian life I had gained from these sources, I accomplished
my task to the entire satisfaction of my interrogators. At last the curtain
rose, and, though reduced in number, and evidently much the worse for
their protracted stay in the land of civilization and brandy, there they
were, the very Osages I had seen at the good old General's. The
interpreter came forward and told his story, making them chiefs of rank
on a tour of pleasure. And a burly-looking fellow, walking up and
down the stage with an air that gave the lie to every assertion of the
interpreter, made a speech in deep gutturals to the great delight of the
listeners. Fortunately for me, the Italian love of sound kept my
companions still till the speech was ended, and then, just as they were
turning to me for a translation, the interpreter announced his intention
of translating it for them himself. Nothing else, I verily believe, could
have saved my reputation, and enabled me to retain my place as a
native-born American. When the exhibition was over,--and even with
the ludicrousness of my part of it, to me it was a sad one,--I went
behind the scenes to take a nearer view of these poor victims of avarice.
They were sitting round a warming-pan, looking jaded and worn,
brutalized beyond even what I had first imagined. It was my last sight
of them, and I was glad of it; how far they went, and how many of them
found their way back to their native land, I never was able to learn.
Before I left the Rue d'Anjou, it was arranged, that, as soon as I had
seen a little more of Paris, I should go to La Grange. "One of the young
ladies will teach you French," said the General,