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Post by Father William Souris on Nov 5, 2019 19:07:09 GMT
Arnold d'Blancheur is a gentleman, first son of a gentleman of France.
"Father, why do you keep leaving leaflets around... this one for the Cavalry, this for the Infantry, this for medical degrees, and this for service in mother church... do you have something to say..."
"Arnold, my son, my heir, you must do something you cannot just enjoy life, doing..nothing!"
"why not?"
"Life is not just eating, drinking, and .. enjoying life. Life is service. Do you think I was given this house? Do you think I was given success? Do you think ..."
"I never really thought"
"NEVER REALLY THOUGHT? Not thinking is your main hobby my boy - and that MUST CHANGE! Must change NOW!"
"Oh.. but..."
"You must go to Paris, make a life, find a wife, make your fortune, or your doom!"
"yes father....I shall leave in the morning!"
"good, write me monthly?"
"yes father!"
**************************** The next morning Arnold said goodbye to his childhood home, and headed for Paris. He thought: I have nothing but a servant, a carriage, and chests of clothing and coin. I am poor.. shall I even be able to afford a house in Paris?
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Post by Father William Souris on Nov 6, 2019 13:11:20 GMT
Father,
Well, I arrived in Paris safe and well, thanks to Jacob. I slept most of the way, and the carriage did keep most of the dust and smell out.
I've seen a nice House, with room for my Carriage. I'll have bought that by the time you get this, but I'm having to borrow to set myself up in this less-than-ideal home - the alternatives were too beastly to consider!
In addition I've written to the commanding officers of four Regiments. I chose Infantry because I'm not too sure if I want to ride a horse - being in a carriage is tiring enough! If I get into my preferred ones, I shall be spending time doing boring stuff - hopefully nothing too taxing!
Please do not forget to send me some cash dear father.
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Nov 10, 2019 18:26:20 GMT
Father,
God loves me! The first application I make is a success, and now I am a member of the Cardinal's Guard. A fine uniform, and a pittance of a salary, but now at least I am on the ladder of a career. People now nod at me in the street, or scowl and spit, rather than just ignore me...
God hates me! I had to spend two weeks of the month doing chores! There can be no other word for them! My arms and legs, and back, all ache from the constant work... I must find a way to escape this drudgery, for I am told I am expected to do 2 weeks service EVERY MONTH!
The house is barely passable, though many of my regimental comrades survive at the barracks - can you imagine such communal living - or in rooms that I would not house a dog. Jacob has cleaned and is redecorating, I am sure thngs will get better in time... if only he could do my military duties for me!
Please do not forget to send me some cash dear father, for the price of steak and wine, brandy, fine cheese, haircuts, beardtrims, and the like are exhorbitant - not to mention the costs of getting the house into some sort of order!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Nov 25, 2019 22:57:13 GMT
Father,
The ladies of Paris are rather .. less than friendly.. though I hear there are ladies that are more friendly - if one knows where to look. Not that I will have the energy to go looking for such, given I am still having to do two whole weeks of sh.. manure shovelling!
I'm settling onto a routine, though it feels like a rut. Cash is always short, and expenses come up that must be paid. Then there's the things I just have to have... you know how it goes. Jacob is getting rather.. naggy .. over expenses and wants me to cut back even more. At this rate I will have to wash my unmentionables rather than wear new ones every day!
Jacob asks me to rememebr to thank you for the cash you send each month. So thankyou!
Please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Dec 10, 2019 17:40:40 GMT
Father,
I met the Cardinal a couple of weeks ago, and protected him at Court! Such a nice, and pious, holy blessed man.
I've also qualified as a Subaltern - I can now buy the rank - or so the commander says. So I'll need to spend more on updates to my uniform as well, and of course cannot let my grooming, hair, beard, moustache, hat, feathers, sword, and sundry other thing.
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Jan 30, 2020 6:56:36 GMT
Father,
Much has changed in the two months since I last wrote. I am now a Subaltern - having managed to scrape together enough cash to buy the rank. My debts will be due shortly, however, and the allowance you send hardly allows me to live -more survive. My wages are.. pitiful .. but I cannot complain, for I know service is what you demand of me.
I was mugged - such a travesty that honest men can be assaulted on the streets of Paris! I am well though, healing up, just scrapes and bruises.
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Feb 11, 2020 15:19:13 GMT
Father,
I serve the Cardinal without notice. To him I am but a uniform. I srve, though, as you required of me.
I have a Racehorse! It seemed the thing to do... Maybe I shall have a win, though I fear not. We shall see.
I courted a lady, from our home province. Yet it seems she was seen with another man earlier in the month, and there could be scandle afoot. The man is also of our home province, so that's unfortunate! I may have to duel him, which is unfortunate even more so. My doctor killed himself .. they do say unfortunate things come in three!
If I survive the duel, and pay off my debts, I shall have more debts and more to spend money on!
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Feb 26, 2020 6:17:38 GMT
Father,
Money is everything. Success if..well.. also eeverything or at least money. My horse came in second, and Grand Duke Max came to my box to shout himself hoarse urging her on - far more enthusiastic than I!
Oh I lost my first duel, no surprise I guess. Yet I think we shall be friends. Did almost as much damage in an, ahem, slighty drunken reenactment!
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Mar 17, 2020 14:21:59 GMT
Father,
Winter in Paris has been quiet for me, trying to make myself worthy by exercise. It seems a futile exercise, this exercise of the body, though, and I may excise it from my routine.
I was shocked to hear that a rescue attempt had been mounted for the captured Major, and some had gone who were of no military experience. A lady and a painter among them! No-one approached me, I guess they think of me as a poppinjay, in my clean and well-pressed, well-ornamanted uniform. Worse, the painter was killed, along with the Major. Reports are sketchy, so far.
Maybe I should seek to exercise my brain, and my musical talents. Remember how I used to love to dance? Anyway I may dance at the forthcoming wake for those lost in the rescue mission; if that does not appear too disrespectful.
The Cardinal seems to see just a uniform, and not me, his loyal man, whatever I do.
Jacob tells me I must cut back on all spending, and I guess he is right.
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Apr 15, 2020 7:24:07 GMT
Father,
Ah Easter. Spring is in the air, but not, sadly, in the step of my racehorse... The Lady of Shallot came FIFTH! I hope you did not bet upon her! Luckily I had not enough coin to bet on her myself! I'm told fifth is 'not bad' for The Derby - a strong field and all.
Debts, because life in Paris is expensive! I may have to consider some alternate plan of life, maybe a monastery. Ha! Who am I kidding, not for me that life.
The Cardinal spotted me and I have a letter of reommendation - but where to use it. I may seek a role as Aide to a Brigadier. Which Brigade though? Do I want one with little chance of military success, so I can shine, or a good commander? As Aide I doubt I will help much, would need to be a higher rank for that. I may have to take all my old uniforms with me, and reuse much that was used once, then discard once muddy. Oh the thought of life at the front, the mud, the danger.. makes me shiver!
Jacob tells me I must cut back on all spending, and I guess he is right.
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on May 17, 2020 20:51:50 GMT
Father,
The front is not as bad as I feared. It is FAR WORSE! What possessed me!
To make things worse, if such was possible, Brigadier General Didier D'Ot (whom we all call D'Idiot) placed his leather gloved forefinger on a hill (on the map) and said "right, I want the Brigade Command Post here!" We all looked at each other and I tried to argue with him "but Mon generale that is in front of the Brigade. Indeed it is within the fire of our demi-culverain!" But there was no persuading him.
As we approached the hill in question I began a discussion of detail as to where we might actually set up. The Brigadier of course was stubborn and eventually rode off and sat his horse on the crest waving at us to follow. We started, with great reluctance, to follow him. Only to see him killed by a direct hit from some artillery. Ours, or theirs, we could not tell!
My fellow officers clapped me on the back and congratulated me. I am not sure why. A few days after the battle I recieved a promotion. Yet I remain here and wait for a replacement Brigadier. Maybe one of the Colonel's will take command?
Jacob is in Paris sorting my loans. Which means I have to dress myself. The absurdity of it. If only I could afford a second servant!
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on May 19, 2020 9:09:35 GMT
Father,
A horse.. I Shall need a horse! If I have a horse I may as well see if I can lead some of these poor buggers who so deperatly need good leadership. I will command a Company and see if I can both save lives and win glory.
I pray god I can at least survive!
Though the filth and muck will likely kill me before enemy action will!
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
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Post by Father William Souris on Jun 18, 2020 17:47:57 GMT
Father,
A horse.. I smell like a Horse and more! Worse!
I shall need fresh uniforms, and much more. I shall need parfam and baths... many MANY baths!
Serving France as an Officer of the Frontier Regiment is a exercise in futility! No sooner had I convinced the men of the Company not to throw away their lives foolishly when a goodly (or should that be badly) number of them die! Then the recruits join and it all begins again!
I will attend the Theatre, it is expected. Yet it's a militaryy themed play - sigh - a reminder of the trials of the Summer!
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
(Sept)
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Post by Father William Souris on Oct 5, 2020 21:45:49 GMT
Father,
Royal Ball attendance is exhausting, as was supporting my entry to the Steeplechase. Came 4th, so a few more races and I may get a full set of results 1st through 5th... as if she will ever do better than 2nd. Perhaps I should have sold her then!
The Queen commented on the Handsome men of the Cardinal's Guard and I am sure she was looking at me when she said it. Yet I only dance well with the aid of Sabilina. I need to keep up my grooming and uniforms, in case I have to dance with the Queen one day.
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
(Oct)
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Post by Father William Souris on Oct 19, 2020 10:15:49 GMT
Father,
I am cursed, by god or the devil, who can say!
My hurt is too great to write of it as if yet, but your hopes that we might add a merchantile business to the family have proven beyond the powers of your son.
It seems pecuniary interests are looked down upon by society.
I am perusing the options of joining Holy Mother Church; although I know that you and mother would grieve at the loss of hope for a grandchild. Yet perhaps the Good Lord has already decided that no such child shall ever come through me. The theatre was very much like church, and the visit of His Holiness all seem to point in that direction.
If that is not my path, perhaps I shall have to endure some time at the front!
Therefore, please do not forget to send me some cash dear father!
Your desperatly poor son,
Arnold
(Nov)
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