Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-02-05

A STRANGE, EvENTFUL STORY.

One cold morning in February, 1910
ashort, stout, commonplace looking man
about sixty years old, entered the garder
OF an inn situated in the suburbs OF Paris
Although the air was sharp and frosty
he seated himself near one of the table.
placed out of doors. and taking Off his
hat, passed his fingers through his long
grey hairs. ,
Ills hands coniras,ed strangely with
the remainder of his person; they were
small, white, and terminated III such del
Ica'ely formed pink nails, as might ex,
cite The envy Of manv young lady
Presently one of the walters came up
and placed before him bottle of wine.
Nut any to-day, thank you,' said the
old man IL feel fatigued, and will Jus,
rest moment"
"Fhe best way of resting. monsieur"
replied the waiter, ga, ly, ..is to drink a
good. generous glass of wine"
lie drew the cork, and poured out
some of the wine.
The old man rose and walked away.
lhe waiter was young lad and il as
with a confused and embarssed air that
he ran after the CUES. and said:
"Sir, there is credi, for you al the Lion
Dor; if you have forgotten Your purse,
that's no reason you should lose your
breakfast. Tomorrow, or whenever
You like, YOU can ask for Your bill."
The old man turned, looked al the
youth, and a tear sparkled in his eye.
"Thou art right, Jean" he said; ..pov-
erty must not be proud. | accept thy
kindness as frankly as it is offered
Help myself to glass OF wine.''
IL drunk TO your good health, mon
sieur, said the waiter; and. having emptL
ed his glass he went and fetched some
sPiced meat, bread, cheese, fruit, and
every thing necessary Tor tempting aud
nourishing repas,; then, with native po-
liieness. in order to hes sen the painful
sense of obligation to his guest, he said:
"When nextone of ) our pieces is play
ed. will you give a iickel!''
"Fhon shalt have two this very even
ing, my good lad. will go and ge, them
from Burnct, aud bring them back to
thee"
"The walk would be too much for
your strength, monsieur; some other day,
when you happen To pass by, will do as
WELL"
Thou shall have ticket to-day. for
they are going TO perform one of my
pieces, lie Desespolr de Jocrisse,' at the
Theatre des Varieties, and it may amuse
thee"
'.Ah, thank you. monsieur! What
laughing shall have"
''Yes: the poor old man, who. bui for
thy charity, would not have had NOR
sci to ca, to day, will this evening enter
tain numerous assembly. They will
applaud his pleasantly, they will laugh a.
his wit, but none of them will enquire
about his destiny"
"Bu, monsieur. do not your pieces
bring you money!
mot now, my friend. In order to
support life during the past month. was
obliged to foresialI the resources Of the
present one. These are their only slen-
der returns from my former productions,
for now age and misfortune have robbed
me OF my former powers. no longer
,.iler any vaudeyiles, to the managers;
for, although they accept them and pay
me, they never have them PLAYED. |
perceive they only take them from mo.
lives OF compassion. and as a pretext for
giving me aims. Now, my friend thou
art the frs, from whom have accepted
charity, and thou shalt be the last. The
son Of l.ouis Quinze may have descend.
ed to write in the character of buffoon,
and. as il we're. TO his wit dancing on
the tight-rope of a vaudeville; but he viii
not become beggar, were he expiring
of hunger. You look as if you though,
have lost my senses; but it is not so.--
Louis Dorvigny is the son Of king
My mother, the young orphan daughter
d Count d. d'Aichambaud, died in giving
me birth. My father was Louis Quinze.
During my childhood and youth, an in
visible protector watched over, support
GU & tuuCdaSu hHC. NouuucHly tiit tOSteFliig
hand was Withdrawn. and was cast on
the world to work. unaided, for my sup.
port. | did sc until the momeni when
the powers of both mind and body failed
me. This is my hisiory--a royal origin
success, reputation almost glory; and its
end one meal owed to thy charity! A.
dieu, youag man. and thanks; | viii
bring thee the tickets for the play"
So the old man departed, but as he
stepped into the road, he found himself
intercepted by two or three cavalry regi.
menis returning 10 their barracks after 3
review.
The band was playing lively air, ant
in the midst of his troops rode, in the
place of honor, General dressed in
magnificent uniform. and mounted on
splendid Andalusian charger. Happen.
ing, as he passed, to cast glance a, Dor
yigny, he saluted him as an old friend
Dorvigny started with astonishment, no
recognizing his features.
"You do not know me! Have twenty
long years caused Monsieur Doryigny Il
forget his Idle, good-for nothing seryan
boy!"
/ ~ ~