[Jasmin: Barber by Samuel Smiles]@TWC D-Link book
Jasmin: Barber

CHAPTER VI
23/26

On a table was a mass of pamphlets and some of the journals of the South.
"'Monsieur Jasmin ?' said I on entering.

'Here I am, sir, at your service,' replied a handsome brown-haired fellow, with a cheerful expression, who seemed to me about thirty years of age.
"'Will you shave me ?' I asked.

'Willingly, sir,' he replied, I sat down and we entered into conversation.

'I have read your verses, sir,' said I, while he was covering my chin with lather.
"'Monsieur then comprehends the patois ?' 'A little,' I said; 'one of my friends has explained to me the difficult passages.

But tell me, Monsieur Jasmin, why is it that you, who appear to know French perfectly, write in a language that is not spoken in any chief town or capital.' "'Ah, sir, how could a poor rhymer like me appear amongst the great celebrities of Paris?
I have sold eighteen hundred copies of my little pieces of poetry (in pamphlet form), and certainly all who speak Gascon know them well.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books