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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 8, 1894)
10 TJII2 OMAHA DAILY BE&'fftATUKDAY , DECEMBER 8 , 1894. OF mm. A Story from the Memoirs of a Minister of France. BY STANLEY J , ' WEYJIAK. Author of ' 'A Gentleman of France , " "My Lady Botha , " Etc. { Copyrl&hr , 1891 by the Author. ) By Y/ay of sampling the diverting episodes that will occur from ttmo to time In theme mo t laborious existence , and for the moment reduce- the minister to the level of the man , I am tempted to narrate an adventure that befell mo between Rcnncs and Vltre , when the king having preceded mo at speed under the pretext of. urgency , but really that he might ovoid the prolix addresses that awaited him In every town , I found myself no moro minded to suffer. Having sacrificed my case , therefore , In two of the more Important places , and como within as many stages ol Vitro , I determined also on a holiday. Ac cordingly , directing my baggage and the numerous escort and suite that attended mete to the full tale of four score horses tc keep the high road , I struck myself Into n byway , Intending to seek hospitality for the night at a houeo of M. do Laval's , and on the second evening to render mysolt with a good grace to the culogla anil tedious mercies of the Vitro townsfolk. I kept with me only La Pont and twc servants. The day was fine , and the alt brisk ; the country open , affording many dis tant prospects which the sun rendered cheer ful. Wo rode for some time , therefore , will ; the gayety of EChoolboys released from theh tasks , and dining at noon In the Ice of one of the great boulders that there dot the plain , took pleasure In applying to the lift of. courts every evil epithet that came tc mind. For a little , tlmo afterward wo rode as cheerfully , but about 3 In the nfternoor the sky became overcast , and almost at th same moment wo discovered that we hai strayed from the track. The country In thai district resembles the moro western parts ol Brittany , In consisting of huge tracts of bOf and moorland strewn with rocks and coverci with gorse , which present a cheerful aapecl in sunslilnp. but arc savage and barren to c degrco whtTi viewed through sheets of rait or under a somber sky. Tlio position there was not without It : discomforts. I had taken care to cheese ; servant who was familiar with the country but his knowledge seemed now at fault However , under hla direction we retracec our steps , but still without regaining tin road , and as a small rain presently began t ( fall and the day to decline , the landscapi which In the morning had flaunted a will and rugged beauty , changed to a brown am dreary waste fct here and there with ghos like stones. Once astray on this , we fount our path besot with sloughs and morasses among which wo saw ever prospect of passlni the night , when La Pont espied at a llttli distance a wind-swept wood that , clothing i low shoulder of the moor , promised at leas a change and shelter. Wo made toward It and discovered not only all that wo had ex peeled to see , but a path and a guide. The latter was as much surprised to se usas wo to see her , for when we cam upon her she was Bitting on the bank be aide the path weeping bitterly. On hcarlnj us , however , she sprang up and we dlscovere < the form of a young girl , barefoot and bare headed , wearing only a short ragged froc of homespun. Nevertheless her face wa neither stupid nor uncom61y ; and though , a the first alarm , supposing us to bo clthe robbers or hobgoblins of which last th people of that country are peculiarly fearfi she made as It she would cscapo acres the moor , but she stopped as soon as she hear my voice. I asked her gently where w were. At first she did not understand , but th servant who had played the guide so 11 speaking to her In the pathos of th ? countrj she answered that wo wec near St. Brleue , hamlet not far from Bottltort , and ccnsldci ably off our road. Asked how far It was t Bottttort , she answered , between two an three leagues and an Indifferent road. We could rldo the distance In a coupl of hours , and there remained almost as muc daylight. But the horses were tired , si resigning myself to the prospect of som discomfort , I asked her If there was an In at St. Brleue. "A poor place for your honors , " she ar Hworod , staring at us In Innocent wondci the forgotten tears not dry on her cheeks. "Never mind ; take us to It , " I answerei She turned at the word and tripped on be fore us. I bade the servant ask her , awe wo went , why she had been crying , an learned through him that she had been t her uncle's , two leagues away , to borro' money for her mother ; that the uncle woul not lend It , and that now they would b turned out of their house ; that her fathe was lately dead , and that her mother ker the Inn , and owed the money for meal an elder. "At least , she says that sha does not ow It , " the man corrected himself , "for he father paid aa usual at Corpus Chrlstl ; bu after his death M. Qrabot said that ho ha not paid , and " "M. Grabot ? " I said. "Who Is he ? " "Tho mayor of Bottltort. " "The creditor ? " ' "Yes. " "And how much Is owing ? " I asked , "Nothing , she says. " ' 'But how much does he say ? " "Twenty crowns. " Doubtless some will view my conduct o this occasion with surprise ; and wonder wh I troubled myself with Inquiries s tnlnuto upon a matter so mean. But thes do not consider that ministers are the king' ' eyes ; and that In a state no class Is so unltr portant that It can be safely overlooked Moreover , as the settlement of the finance was one of the objects of my stay In thos parts and I seldom had the opportunity e checking the statements made to me b the farmers anil lessees of the taxes , tli receivers , gatherers , and , in a word , all tli corrupt class that Imparts such views of province as suit Us Interests , I was glad t learn anything" that threw light on the re ! condition o [ the country ; the more , as I tate to receive- Vllre a deputation of the not : ties and otllclals of thedistrict. . Accordingly , I continued to put queatl-ir to her until , crossing a ridge , we came , t last within sight of the Inn. a lonely honso ( stone , standing In the hollow of the moc ami sheltered pn ono side by a few gnarle trees that took off In a * degree from tli ' D bleakness ot Us aspect The house was one story only , with a window on cither sld ol the door , and no other appeared In * Ighi but a little smoke rising from the chlmne seemed to promise a better reception tlu the desolate landscape and the girl's scant dress had led us to expect. As we drew nearer , however , a thinghai pened so remarkable as to draw our atei tlon In a moment from all these points , \u bring ui. gaping ; to a standstill. The fchu ten ot the two windows were suddenly close before our eyea with a clap that cama ahurpl on the wind. Then , In a twlnkllni oner window flew open again an ft roan , seemingly naked. bour.de from ' It fled with Inconceivable rapldlt across the front of the house and vanlshe through the other window , which opened I receive him. He had scarcely gained tlu shelter betora a coal-black figure fotlowe him. leaping out ot one of the * window * an in at the other with the same aatonlshln BWltlnois a. swiftness which was so grot that before any ot us could utter more tha exclamation , the two flgurei appearc again round the corner ot the house. In tti tame order , but this time with so smalt a interval that tha fugitive barely tared bin toll through the window. Once mon while , we stared In stupefaction , they Has he out and In. and this tlmo It seemed to m that a they vanished the black apecU Mlzad Us victim. When I Bay tli it all tbla time the U figure * uttered no Bound , that there was t other living being In sight , and that on every sldo of the solitary house the moor , growing each minute more eerie as the day waned , spread to the horizon , the mora superstitious among us may bo pardoned If they gave way 16 their fears. - La Pont was the first to spoalc. "Mon DIcul" he cried while the girl moaned In terror , the Breton crossed himself and La Trapo looked uncomfortable "tho place ta bewitched ! " "Nonsense ! " I said. "Who Is In the house , girl ? " "Only my mother , " she walled. "Oh , my coor motherl" I silenced her , scolding them all for fools , and her first , and La Font recovering him self , did the same. But this was the year of that strange appearance of the specter horse man at Pontatnebleau , of which so much has been said ; and my servants , when wa hail approached preached the house a little nearer , and It still remained Silent and , ns It were , dead to the eye , would go no further , but stood In sheer terror and permitted mo to go on alone with La Font , I confess that the lone liness of the house and the dreary waste that surrounded It ( which seemed to exclude the lAm ot trickery ) were not without their effect on my spirits'ami that as I dismounted and approached the dcor , I felt a kind of chill , not remarkable under the circum stances. But the courage of the gentleman differs from that of the vulgar In that ho fears yet goes , and I lifted tha latch and entered boldly. The scene which met my eyes Inside was sufficiently commonplace to reassure me. At the farther end of a long bare room draughty , half-lighted , and having an earthen floor , yet possessing that air of homeliness which a wood flro never falls to Impart , sat a slnsle traveler , who haii drawn his small table under the opea chimney , and there , with Ills feet almost In the flrovas par taking of a pour meal of black bread and onions. Ho was. a tall , spare man , with sloping shoulders and a long , sour face , ol which , as I entered , ho gave mo the full benefit. I looked round the room , but look as 1 might I could see no one else , nor any thing that explained what wo had witnessed and I accosted the man civilly , wishing liln good evening. Ho made an answer , but Indistinctly - distinctly , and this done , went on with hi ! meal like ono who viewed cur arrival wltl : llttlo pleasure ; white I , puzzled and aston ished by the ordinary look ot things ani th stillness of the house , affected to warrr my feet at the logs. At length , espying IK signs of' disturbance anywhere , I asked hlrr If he was alono. "I was , lr , " ho answered gravely. I was going on to tell him , though reluc tantly , what wa had seen , outside , and to QUCS tlon him upon It , when on a sudden , bsfore 1 could speak again , ho leaned towards mi and accosted me with startling abruptness "Sir , " lie said , "I should like to have youi opinion of Louis XI. " I stared at him In the most perfect astonIshment Ishmont , and was for a moment so com pletely taken aback that I mechanically re peated tits words. For answer he did BI also. also.'The 'The ' Eleventh Louis ? " I said. "Yes , " he rejoined , turning his pale vis age full upon me. "What Is your oplnloi ot him , sir ? Ho was a man ? " "Well , " I said , shrugging my shoulders "I take that for granted. " I began t think that the traveler was demented. "And a king' : " "Yos , I suppose so , " I answered contempt uously. "I never heard It doubted. " He leaned towards mo and spoke with th most eager Impresslveness. "A man and i king ! " ho said. "Yet neither a manly klnfi nor a kingly man ! You take mo ? " "Yes , " I said , Impatiently. "I see wha you mean. " "Neither a kingly man , nor a manly king ! ' ho repeated with solemn gusto. "You talc me clearly , I think ? " I had no stomach for further fooleries , an I was about to answer him with some sharp ness though I could not for the lit ? o me tell whether he was mad or an ecccn trie when a harsh voice shrieked in m car , "Boh ! " and In a twinkling a red flgur appeared bounding and whirling In the mid die of the kitchen ; now springing Into th air until 1U head touched the rafters , no\ eddying round and round the. floor In th giddiest gyrations. At the first glance startled , by the voice In my ear , I recoiled but a second disclosing what It was , an the secret of our alarm outside , I maskc my movement , and when the man brough his performance to a sudden stop , and fall Ing on one knee In an attitude ot oxaggci ated respect held out his cap , I was read for him. "Why , you knave , " I said , "you shoul bo whipped , not rewarded. AVho gave yo leave to play pranks on travelers ? " Ho looked at mo with a droll smile on hi round merry face , which at Its gravest wo a thing to laugh at. "Let him whip wh Is scared , " he said , with roguish Impudence "Or If there Is to be whipping , my tori ! whip Louis XI. " Thus reminded , I turned to the Eolem : traveler , but my eyes had no sooner me his than he twisted his visage Into so wr a smile If Binl'e It could bo called tha wherever there was a boras collar ho mua have won the prize. To hide my amusemenl I asked them what they were. "Mountc banks ? " I said curtly. "Your lordship has pricked the garte off-hand , " th ? merry , man answered'cheer fully. "You see before you the renowne Pierre Paladin viola ! and Phlllbort L Grand ! of the Breton fairs , monsieur. " "But why this foolery here ? " I said. "We took you for another , monsieur , " h answered. "Whom you Intended to frighten ? " "Precisely , your gtace. " "Well , you ore nice rogues , " I said , looli Ing at him. "So Is ho , " ho answered , undaunted. I left the matter there for a moment , whll I summoned La Font and the servants , whos rage , when , entering a-tlptos and with som misgiving , they discovered how they had beei deceived , and by whom , was scarcely to b restrained , cvou by my presence. Howeve ; aided by Phlllbert's comicalities , I present ) ; secured a truce , and the two strollers va eating In my honor the table by the flre- though they had not the slightest notion who was wo were soon on good terms. I had takei the precaution to bring a meal with me , am whllo La Trape and his companion un packed It. and I dried my rldlne boots , asked the players who It was they meant t frighten. They were not very willing to tell me , bu at length confessed to my astonishment tha It was M. Grabot. "Qrabot Qrabot ! " I said , striving to rcc ollect where I had heard the name. "Tho mayor of Bottltort ? " The &olcmn oan made an atrocious grimace Then. "Yes , monsieur , the mayor of Bottl tort , " he said frankly. "A year ago he pu Phlllbert In the stocks tor a riddle ; that t his affair. And the woman of thla house ha more than once befriended me , and ho I for turning her out for a debt she does no owe , and that Is my affair. However , you lordship's arrival has saved him this time. ' "You expected him here this evening then ? " "Ho Is comlnr. " he antwered with mor than his usual glooin. "Ho passed this wa ; thi * morning , and announced that on Ma re turn he should spend the night here. W found the good wife all ot a tremble when w arrived. Ho Is a hard man , monsieur. " th mountebank continued bitterly. "She crle after htm that ahe hoped God would chang his heart , but ho only answered thateven I St. Brleuc changed his body you know th legend , monsclgneur , doubtless he ihoul bo here. " "And here he is , " the other , who ha been looking' out ot one ot the windows , cried "I see hla lantern coming , down the hill And by St. Brleuc , I have it ! I have it. " th droll continued , suddenly , spinning round in a wild dance of triumph on the floor , and hen as suddenly stopping and fulling Into an ittltudo bcfqre us. "Monsieur , If , you will lelp us , I have the richest jest ever played , 'lerro. listen. You , gentlemen , alt listen ! We will pretend that he Is changed. Ho Is a xmipous man ; he thinks tha mayor ot Bottl- ort equal to the Saint fere. Well , Pterro si-all be M. Grabot , mayor ot Bottltort. You , monsieur , that wo may give him enough ot mayors , shall bo the mayor of Got , and I will in the mayor of St. Just This gentleman Khali swear to us , so shall the servants. For him , he does not exist. Oh , vo will punish him finely. " "But , " I salil , astonished by the very audacity of the rogue's , proposition , "you do not flatter yourself that you wilt deceive hlrn ? " "Wo shall , monsieur. If you will help , " 10 answerd confidently. "I will be warrant 'or It we shall. " ' The thing bad little of dignity In it , and ' wonder now that I compiled ; but I have ilways shared with the king , my master , a taste for drolleries of the Id ml suggested , while nothing that I had as yet heard of thta Irnbot was of a nature to Induce me to spare ilm. Seelnc that La Pont was tickled with : ho Idea , and that the servants were a-grln , and the more eager to trick others as they tad just been tricked themselves , I waa tcmsteil to consent. After this the preparations took not n minute. Phlllbert covered his fool's clothe ] with a cloak , and their table was drawn icarer to the fire , so as with mine to take up the whole hearth. La Trapo fell Into an attitude behind me , and the Breton , adopting a refinement suggested at the last moment , was sent out to Intercept Grabot before he entered , and tell him that the Inn was full and that he hail better pass on. The knave did his business so well thai Qrabot , being Just such a man as the strollers had described to us , the alterca tion on the threshold was of Itself the most amusing thing In the world. "Who ? " wr board a loud , coarse voice exclaim. "Wlic il'yo say arc here , man ? " 'Tho mayor of Boltltort ? " MHIc dlables ! " "Tho mayor of Bottllort and the mayors ol del ar.d St. Just , " the ssrvant repeated , as If he noticed nothing amiss. "That Is a He. " the new comer replied with a snort of triumph , "and an Impudenl occ. But you have got the wrong sow bj the car this time. " "Why , man , " a third voice , somewhal nasal and rustical struck In. "don't yoi know the mayor of Bottltort ? " "I should , " my Breton answered bluntly and making , as wo guessed a stand bsfon them , "for I am his. servant , and he la al this moment at his meat. " "Tho mayor of Bottltort ? " "Yes. " ; ' "M. Grabot ? " | ' . "Yes. " "And you are his servants ? " "I have thought so for some time , " thi Ureton answered contemptuously. The mayor fairly roared In his Indignation "You his servant ! The mayor of Bottl tort's ? " he cried In a voice of thunder. "I'l tell you what you are ; you are a liar a liar man , that Is what you are ! Why , you fool I am the mayor of Bottjtort myself. Now do. you see how you have wasted yourself Out of my way ! Jehan , fallow me In. shall look into this. There Is some knaver ; here , but If Simon Grabot cannot get to thi bottom of It , the mayor of Bottltort will Follow me , I say. My servant. Indeed. Come come ! " And , stilt grumbling , he flung open tin door , which the Breton had left ajar , am stalked In upon us , fuming and blowing ou his cheeks for all the world like a bantan cock with Us feathers erect. He was a short pussy man : with a short nose , a wide faca and smalt eyes. But had he been Caesa and Alexander rolled Into one , he could no have crossed the threshold with a more tre mendous assumption of dignity. Once In side , he stood and glared at U3 , somewha taken aback , I think , for the moment by ou numbers ; but recovering himself almost im mediately , he otrutted toward us , and , with out uncovering-or'saluting us , he asked In i deep voice who was responsible for the mai outside. "I am. sir , " the graver mountebank answered swerod , looking at the stranger with a sobs air of surprise. "He Is my servant. " "Ah ! " the mayor exclaimed , with a wither lug glance , "And who , may I ask , are you ? "You may ask , certainly , " the player an Bwcrcd dryly. "But until you take off you hat I shall not answer. " The mayor gasped at this . rebuff , an turned , If ! t wcro possible , a shade redder but he uncovered. "Now , I do not mind telling you , " Plerr continued , with a mild dignity admirably as sumed , "that I am Simon Grabot , and hav the honor to be mayor of Bottltort. " "You ? " "Yes , monsieur , I ; though , perhaps , un worthy. " I looked to see an explosion , but the mayc waa too far gone. "Why , you swindling Ire pester , " he said , with something that wa almost admiration in his tone , "you are th very prlnc'o of cheats ! The king of cozer crs ! But for all that , let mo tell you tha you have chosen the wrong role this tlmi For I I , sir , am the mayor of Bottltort , th very man whose name you have taken ! " Plerro stared at. him In compoed sltenci which his comrade was the first to breal "Is ho mad ? " he asked In a low voice. Th6 grave man shook his head. The mayor heard and saw , and getting nether other answer , began to tremble between pas slon and a natural , though Ill-defined , ml : giving , which the silent gizo of so largo party for we were all looking at him coir passionately was well calculated to produci "Mad ? " he cried. "No , but some ono I ; Sir , " he continued , turning to La Font wit a costive In which an appeal and Impatlenc were curiously blended , "Do you know thi man ? " "Jl. Grabot ? Certainly , " he answered , with out blushing , "and have theao ten years. " "And you say that ho Is M. Grabot ? " th poor mayor retorted , his Jay/ falling ludle rously. "Certainly , who should ho bo ? " The mayor looked round him , sudden boat ! of sweat on his brow. "Mon DIeu ! " he cri.'i "You are all In It. Here , you , do you kmr this person ? " La Trape , to whom he addressed hlmsel shrugged his shoulders. "I should , " ha salt "Tho mayor Is pretty well known aboi here. " "The mayor ? " "Ay. " "But I am the mayor I , " Grabot ar swered eagerly , tapping htm on the breas In the most absurd manner. "Don't yo know me , my friend ? " "I never saw you before , to my know edge , " the rascal answered contemptuous ! } "and I know this country pretty well , should think that you have ben crossln St. Brleuc's brook , and forgotten to * sa " your "Hush ! " the stout player Interposed wit some sharpness. "Let htm alone. L ? bo DIcu knows that such a thing may happe to the best of us. " The > mayor clapped htg hand to his heai "Sir , " ho said almost humbly , addressing th last speaker , "I seem to know your void Your name , If you please ? " "Fracasse , " he answered pleasantly , "I a : mayor of Gol. " "You Fracasse , mayor of Gel ? " Grab : exclaimed between raga and terror "Bt Fracasso is a tall man. I know him o well as I know my brother. " The pseudo-Fracasso smiled , but dlj ne contradict him. The mayor wiped the molsturo from hi brow. Ho had all the characteristics ( an obstinate man ; but If there IB one thin which I have found In a lone career mor true than another. It Is that no one ca resist the statements ( if his ttllows. E much , I verily believe , Is the case , that ten men maintain black to be white , tli eleventh will presently be brought Into thel opinion. Besides , the mayor had a currle side. He looked plteously from one to ar other ot us , bis cheeks seemed to grow 1 a moment pale and flabby , and he waa on tli point of whimpering , when at the last me menL he bethought him ot his servant , an turned to htm in a spurt ot sudden than ! fulness , "Why , Jchan , man , I had forgone you , " ho said. "Are thesa men mad , c am I ? " But Jehan , a ilmple ntstlc , was In state of ludicrous bewilderment. "Dot , ma : tor , I don't know , " he stuttered , rubbing h head. "But I am myself , " the mayor crtsd. In most ridiculous tone ot remonstrance. "Dot , afia I don't know , " tire man whirr pered. "I do believe that there U a chant ta you. I never taw you look the like bi fore. And I never said any pater elthe Holy saints I" the poor foal continued ptti ously , "I wish I were at home. And ther for til t knkw3mV ( Wife baa got another nan. " * ' He began to bubb : r at thi * . which to u vas the most ludicrous thought , no that It vas all wo could do to restrain our laughter , Jut the ma-or < - aw things In another light. Shaken by ( .our. steady persistence In our itory , and astounded by our want of reipect. he defection of his follower utterly cowed him. After staring wildly about him for a moment , 3lte fairly turned tall , and Rat down on an old box by the door , where , with 1(3 ( hands on his tenets , he looked out beforii itm with , tiiiahinn expression of chap-fallen lewtlderm'eni as , nearly discovered our plot by throwing us * into fits Of laughter. Stilt he waj hit persuaded ; for , from limit 0 time , he < > roused himself , and lifting hU lead cast suspicious glances at our party. Jut the two strollers , who were now In their element , played their parts with so much craft and delicacy , and with sucn an Infinity of humor besides , ( hat everything he over * i ard plunged him deeper In the slough. They knew something ot local affairs , ant called one another mayor'very naturally ; anl nentlontng their wives , let drop other scrap * of Information that , catching his car , mad > the wretched man every now anil then sit up as It a wasp had stung him. One story lii particular which the false mayor told and which. It appeared , was to the knowledgn ot all the country round , the real mayor's stoclt anecdote had an absurd effect upon him. Is straightened himself , listened as It hit Ife depended uporu. It , and when he heanl he well known ending , uttered doubtless In something of his old tone , he collapsed Into ilmself like a man who had no longer faith n anything. Presently , however , an effort ot commoil sense would again disperse the fog. II. * would raise his head , his eye grow bright , iomethlng of his old pugnacity would com' ! jack to him. He would appear this inori than once to bo on the point of rising to challenge us. But these occasions were ni skillfully met as they were easily detected ; anJ aa the rogues had Invariably flung him jack Into hla old state ot dizad bewilderment , while It well-nigh killed us with stillol mirth , they only gave ever new point to the Jest. This , to be brief , waa carried on until 1 retired ; and probably the two strollers would liave kept It up longer If the ludicrous dcubt whether ha was himself , which they hail lodged In the mayor's mind , had not at las spurred him to action. An hour before mid night , feeling It rankle Intolerably , I suppose , lie sprang up on a sudden , dragged the door open , darted out with the air of a madman and In a moment was lost In the darkness ot the moor. When I rose In the morning , therefore , 1 found him gone , tlio strollers looking glum , and the good wife and her girl between tear.i and. reproaches. I could not but feel on my pirt that I had somewhat stooped In the night's diversion , but before I had tlmii to reflect much oa that an uncxpecetd traU In the strollers' conduct reconciled me ti ; thlH odd experience. They proposed tfl leave when I did. but a little bfore thfl start they came to me and set before mo very Ingenuously that the woman of the liouso might suffer through our Jest ; If 1 would help her therefore , they would sub- acriba 2 crowns so that she might haven substantial sum to offer on account of hai debt. As I took this to be the greater part of their capital , and Judged for otliei reasons that the offer was genuine , I r2- colvoJ It In the best part , and found their good nature no less pleasant than their fool ery. I handed over 3 crowns 'or cur share , and on that we parted ; they sot out with their bundles trapped to their backs , and 1 waited somewhat Impatiently for La Trap ; and the DreLnit to bring round the horses. Before these' appeared , however. La Font whose wi3 at'tlie door , crlsa out that the two ptiyera ! ftwore coming back , and galnp to the wlndowi I saw with astonishment c wjiole troop1 , some mounted nnd some or foot , hurryfag' ' down tha hill after them For a momcnti I felt some alarm , supposing It to bo a scheme of Epornon's to seize mj person , and tj cursed the Impudence whlcli had led ma to expose myself In this soil , tary place. Uut a second glanca showing mo that the mayor of Botlttort was amongsl th ? foremoEt , I repented almost as seri ously of thd unlucky trifling that had landet mo In thr < > foolish plight. I even debated , whether I should mouni and , tf It were possible , get clear befon they arrived , 'but the rueful tacas of tin two players as they appeared breathless Ir the doorway , and the liking I had ta'.ien 'to : the rascals.'decided me to stand my ground "What Is It ? " I said. "Tho mayor , monsieur , " Phlllbert acswerec while Pierre pursed up his lips with gloomj gravity. "I fear It will not stop at the stocks this time , " the rogue continued with t grimace. His comrade muttered something about t rod and a fool's back , but M. Grabot's en trancD cut his witticism short. The mayor betwean shame and rage , and the gratlflca tlon of hh revenge , was almost bursting , am the moment he caught sight oi us opsnci fire. "All. M. do Gel ; wo have them all ! ' he cried exultlngly. "Now they shall smar for It ! Depend upon It , it Is some deep lali .schema of that party. I have s-atd so. " "But the mayor ot Gel , a stout , big , placlc man , looked at us doubtfully. "Well , " ho said "I know thssa two ; they are strolling mounte banks , honest knaves enough , but always Ir Bomo mischief. " "What , strolling clowns ? " II. Grabot re Joined , his face falling. "Ay , and you may depend upon It , It li some Jokp of theirs , " his friend answered his eyes twinkling. "I begin to think yoi would have done better It you had waited i tittle before bringing M. lo Comte Into tin matter. " "Ah , but there are these two , " M. Grabo cried , as ho recovered from the momentary panic Into which the other's words hai thrown him. "Depend upon It they are tin chief movers. What else but treason couli they mean by asserting that one of then was mayor of Bottltort ? By denying mj title ? By telling up other officers that these to whom lib gracious majesty has dele gated hU authority ? " "UmpW" hh companion crleil In trl umph. "But I Intend to know them , and t < know a good deal about them. Guard tin wlndiv ; there , " ho continued fussily. "Whan Is my clerk ? Is M. do Laval coming ? " Two or three cried obsequiously that he hai crossed the hill , and would arrive Imrae dlately. Hearing this , and thinking It more be coming not to enter Into an altercation. . ' kept my scat and the scornful sllenco I hai hitherto maintained. The two mayors hat brought with them a posw ot busybodies huUslers , constable ; , tip-staves and the like and these all gaped upon us as If they saw bsforo them the most notable traitors of thi ase. The women of the house wept In : corner , and the strollers shrugged theli shoulders and strove to appear at their cajo Dut the only person who felt the Indlfferenci which they assumed was La Font , who obnoxious to none of the annoyances which ! foresaw , could hardly restrain Ills mirth a1 the denouement which he anticipated. Meanwhile the mayor , foreseeing a verj different Issue , stood blowing out his cheek : and fixing us with hla little eyes with ar expression of dignity that would have please : me vastly If I had been free to enjoy It. Bui the reflection that Laval's presence , whlcl would cut the knot of our difficulties , wouli also place me at the mercy of his wit , illi not enable me to contemplate It with entlri Indifference. By-aml-by 'we ' heard him dismount , and i moment luter he came In with a gentlcmai and two at three armed servants. He dli not at onre see me , but as the crowd mad way for hint h addressed himself sharpl ; to M. Grabot. "Well , have you got them ? ' he said. "Certainly. M. te comte. " "Oh ! very well. Now for the particulars then. You must stats your charge quickly for I have to ba In Vltre today. " "Ho alleged that he had been appolntei mayor oP Bottltcrt , " Grabot answered. "Umpht I don't know ? " M. de Lsval mut tered , looking- round with a frown of dls content. "I hops that you have not brpugh mo hither on a fool'a errand. Which one ? " "That one , " the mayor laid , pointing t the solemn man , whose gravity and depreltlo ; wore now something preternatural. "Oht" M. de Lval grumbled. "But tha Is not alt , I suppose. Wuat of the others ? " M. Grabot pointed to me. "That one. " Ho got no further , for M. Lival , sprlnglm forward , seized my hand and saluted rn warmly. "Why , your excellency , " he cried In a tone of boundtes. * surprise , ' 'what ar you doing In thU galore ? Alt tut evening ; waited for you , at my house , and now " 'IHere I am. " I answered jocularly , "Ii charge It SMITH , M. la comtet" "Mon Dleul" he cried. "I don't under Und lit" I saruesed my shoulders. "Don't ask me. ' Overcoats and Ulsters ARE IN THE SOUP ! Too warm , to sell Overcoats so we will force the sale of SUITS , and we put about 3OO of them all at one price , some of them worth as high as $11. They consist of fancy Cassimeres and- Cheviots , and all kinds of weaves , at sizes from 34 to 44 , $6.SO each. Our Black Clay Worsted Suits in Cutaways as well as in Sack , Straight or Round Cut , Bound or Plain Stitched , at $8 each ; sizes from 34 to 44. < Shofts and Stouts and A. line of fancy weaves in silk , mixed and basket cloths , neat , dark effects , cut to fit a short and stout person , extra sizes or regu lar cut. Can.fit any one in these garments at $1O.OO each ; worth $17.8O. Sizes from 34 to 5O. M. H. Cook . . Clothing Co. , successors to Columbia Clothing Co. , 13th and Farnam Streets , Omaha. I said. "Perhaps your friend tha mayor can tell you. " "But , monsieur , I do not understand , " the mayor answered plteously , his mouth agape with horror , his fat cheeks turning In a mo ment all colors. "This gentleman , whom you seem to know , M. te comte " 'Is the marquU de Hosny , president of the council , blockhead ! " Laval cried Irately. "You madman ! you Idiot ! " he continued , as light brake In upon him , and he saw that It was Indeed on a fool's errand that he had been roused BO early. "Is this your conspiracy ? Have you dared to bringme here " But I thought that it was time to Interfere. "The truth Is , " I said , "that M. Grabot here Is not so much to blame. He was the victim of a trick which these rascals played on him ; and In an Idle moment I let It go on. That h the whole secret. However , I forglvo him for his offlclousneBs since It brings us to gether , and I shall now have the pleasure ot your company to Vltre. " Laval assented heartily to this , and I did not think fit to tell him more , nor did he In quire , the mayor's stupidity passing current for all. For M. Grabot himself , I think that I never saw a man more completely con founded. He stood staring with his mouth open ; and , as much deserted as the statesman who had fallen from ofilce , had not the least credit even with his own sycophants , who tea a man deserted him and Hocked about the mayor of Gol. Though I had no reason to pity him , and , Indeed , thought him well pun ished , I took the opportunity of saying a word to him before I mounted ; which , though It was only a hint that he should deal gently with the woman of the house , was received with servility equal to the arrogance he had before displayed ; and I doubt not It had all the effect I desired. For the strollers , I did not forget them , but bade them hasten to Vltre , where I would see a performance. They did so , and hitting the fancy ot Zamet , who chanced to be sell ! therp , and who thought that he saw profit In them , they came on his Invitation to Paris , where they took the court b'y storm. So that an episode tri fling In Itself , and such as on my part re quires some apology , had for them consequences quences of no little Importance. No menu Is complete without Cook's Extra Dry Imperial Champagne on It , It not on It atk for It. Fortune from u Itoso. Here Is a pretty interesting story about the origin ot that most beautiful of flowers , the American beauty rose , says the Balti more Herald. The late George Bancroft , besides being a historian and scholar , was one of the first amateur rosj growers In America. Every year ha Imported cutting ) from the leading flower growers of Europe. The king of Prussia , when old Kaiser Wil liam waa king , allowed the American his torian to have a slip of whatever he might fancy In the royal conservatories. Mr. Ban croft's cardener used to cultivate some of his roses In an old house away out on F , or perhaps It was G street , above Twenty- recond street , In the west end-of Washington , D. C. Mrs. Grant had a Ilorlst named Field In charge of the white house conservatory , lie was a rote grower of rare merit and skill In bis artistic work. One day ho happened Into the o'd building where Mr. Dancrott's gardener potted his plants and budded his roses. Over In a corner he observed a rose of a variety utterly unknown to him and of won derful size and perfection lit form and color. "Where did this come from ? " he carelessly Inquired ot his rose-growing confrere. "Oh , It Is an offshoot from some cuttings we Im ported from Germany. " the man replied. It was evldant to Mr. Field that the other did not In the least comprehend the value of the new plant. After some talk Mr. Field bought the cuttings he had seen for $ G. A year thereafter , when he had propagated hU new purchiute and become convinced that he had a new anil very valuable variety of rose , which he named the American bctuty , he sold hU find for $5,000 , the most wonderful result of the Investment ot } 5 on record. To follow his luck a lttlo [ farther , Mr. Field Invested hla easily earned | 5,000 In lands near Washington , which In , a tittle less than three yeara were sold for UO.OOO. Truth U ssmetime * stranger than fiction. Oreson Kidney Tea cures all kidney trou bles. Trial alze , 25 cents. All druggists. Wo mcaw of things that cause sickness and distress. Has It not occurrcel to you tha every now and tlion you should clonnso and purify your system ? You got "loey , " "bilious , have aches and palus for ono reason nnd niiotnor , KlKl > i'OUtt HUtOD HEALTHY , Care for your XEttVUVS SXaTJSil. Impure blood nnd "broken up" nerves wilt soon wreck th most lioalUiy porion. 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