Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-05

FORMAL lNvITATI0Ns.--The too frequent habi.
of extending mere formal invitations is Justly re-
which we find amongst the Partisan gossip in the
Musical World"
Viyier, the celebrated and witty artist, passed
recently some time at Paris on his return from his
summer travels. He had hardly arrived when he
was invited to dine with Mons. x, the mu-
steal amateur and rich capitalist After the repast
the master and mistress of the house said to their
agreeable guest, We hope that we shall have you
often to dine with us; your plate will always be
ready"
"Alwayss" said Vivier, g that is in the fashion
able sense of the word"
+."By no means. We are not persons Of such
hollow politeness. You know how much we love
artists, and you in particular. Our home is yours.
Come and dine with us whenever you please We
should be glad II it were every day"
Gin earnest"
Certainly, we should be delighted"
All, well since you are so cordial, promise
you will do my best to be agreeable
"We shall depend upon seeing YOU
The next day, at six o'clock, Vivier presented
himself
"You see," said he, that ! have taken your
invitation literally. i have come to dine.n
"Ah Il is very kind of you'll 1t Is very charm
ing" said his hosts, to whom his arrival appeared
very piguart and quito original
Tho dinner was very gay and tho artist, on
taking leave, received many CONF liments.
The next day, as they were about to sit down to
the table, vivicr again appeared
Hero am, exact, punctual, and faithful to my
promise. But IL Is singular" he continued, fixing
penetrating and quizzical look upon the faces OF
his hosts, It Is singular, You appear surprised
Did you not expect me Z"
ooh! certainly you give us much pleasure, y
the Amphitryon and his wife replied, with forced
smile.
$50 much the BETTER
Vivier sat down, was in his happest vein, played
the agreeable to all the family, and seemed quite
unconscious that he had all the burden Of the en-
tertaining, and that except few monosyIables
the conversation was reduced to mere mono
logue-
On the fourth day, at Q O'Clock precisely, the
obstinate guest once more presented himself This
time coldness and restraint were very percepdble,
and vvier spoke Of it.
The mistress Of the house replied stifiy:
alt Is only because we feared you would not
fare well, we have so poor dinner to-day"
81 thought you expected me, but Il IL Of no
consequence. am not difficult ! wish only the
pleasure Of your society"
He seated himself with perfect composure, ate
heartily, then turning to Madame with compl
mentary air, be said
"what could you mean, This dinner s quite
as good as the others. Excellent fare upon my
word. i should desire nothing better.
The next dsy--it was the ffth-Vivicr arrived
as usual The porter met him at the door:
Monsieur X---is not at home. He dimes
down town to-day
"Ahi very WELT But ] forgot my great Goa,
yesterday, must AJAX the servant for it, and dart
ing across the threshold and up the staircase, he
Knocked The door was opeucd--unsuspecte sp
partition.
"Your porter is a simpleton, said Vivier, gaily
Gle pretended that you had gone out i knew
that be was mistaken. But what long faces What
sombre and melancholy air. Has anything hap
penedf Any accident, any ,misfortunef Tell me,
that / may offer my sympathies."
, All dinner time, the witty artist continued and
redoubled his entreaties that the supposed misor
tune m ght be confded 70 him. He complained
Of their reserve, and INDUCED himself In all sort'
Of conjectures and questions.
"Have you lost money In speculationsf missed
an inheritance heard bad musicf received
visit from troublesome boref Have you beer
wounded in your sfectionsi in your fortune IL
your ambition?
Then at the dessert, bursting into it oflsugh
ter.
II know what Is the matter, and what troubles
you. IL is your invitation, 30 cordially made, ant
so literally accepted. / thought that / wouls
make the trial, suspecting that you would not en-
dure me long. To-day you shut the door sgains
me, and tomorrow, IL should return, you woul,
throw me out Of the window But you will no
catch me here. I wish you good evening"