The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-01-17
THE DAY BOOK.
TUESDAY EVENING. JANUARY II.
Vivier the WaE.

for three things-his wonderful ready
wit, his skill on the cornet, and his close
intimacy with Rossini, who adores his So
ciety. Vivier, it seemss, passed recently
some time at Paris, on his return from
his summer travels. He had hardly ar
rived when he was invited iodine with
Mons. B., the musical amateur
and rich capitalist.
After the repast, the master and mistress
of the house said to their agreeable guest,
ave hope that we shall have you often
to dine with us; your place will alwrys be
ready"
"Always?" said Vivier, that is in the
fashionable 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 if it were very
day"
SIN earnest?"
Certainly; we should be delighted"
''Ah, WE'LL since you are so cordial,
promise you l will do my best to be
agreeable"
"We shall depend upon seeing you"
"Yhe next day at six O'Clock Vivier
presented himself.
"You see," said he, "that have taken
your invitation literally, l have come
to dine"
"Ah it is very charming" said his
hosts, to whom his arrival appeared very
pi9uant andSquite original.
The dinner was very gay, and the ar
tist, ON taking leave received many COM
pliments.
The next day, as they were about to
sit down to the table, Vivier again ap-
peared. .. .. -..
"Here l am exact, punctual, and faith
full to my promise. But it is singular"
he continued, fixing penetrating and
quizzical look upon the faces of his
hosts,-"it is singular You appear
surprized-did.not you expect me ?"
-Oh certainly, you give us much
pleasure" the Amphitryon and bis wife
replied with forced smile.
80 much the better"
'Vivier sat down, was in his happiest
vein, played the agreeable to all the fam
lily, and seemed quite unconscious that he
had all the burthen of the entertainment,
and that, except few monysillables, the
conversation was reduced to mere mon
ologue.
On the fourth day, at six O'Clock pre-
cssly, the obstinate guest once more
presented himself. This time GOODNESS
and constraint were very perceptible, land
Vivier spoke of it.
The mistress of the house replied stiff
ly-"It is only because we feared you
would not fare well, we have so poor
dinner to-day"
~ thought you expected me, but it Is
of no consequence. am not difficult.
wish only the pleasure Of your society"
He seated himself with perfect compo-
sure, ate heartily, then turning to Mad
anne with q complimentary air, he said:
"What could you mean ? This din
ner is quite as good as the Others, Ex-
cellent fare upon my word. l should
desire nothing better"
The next day--it was the ffth-Viv-
Ter arrived as usual. The porter met
him at the door" Monsieur BIS
not at home: He dimes down town to-
day"
'Ahl very we'll! But I forgot my
great coat yesterday, must ask the ser
want for IT," and darting across the
threshold and up the staircase, he knock
ed. The door was opened-the nnsus-
pected apparition.
"Your porter is BOBBY" said Vivier
gaily' He pretended that you were gone
out. I knew that you were mistaken.
But what long faces What sombre
and melancholy air Has anything
happened? Any accident, any misfor-
tune ? Tell me, that I may offer my
sympathies. :"
All dinner-time the witty artist con-
tinued and redoubled his entreaties that
the supposed misfortune might be conf
lied to him. He complained of their re-
serve, and INDUCED himself in all sorts
Of conjectures and q uestions.
"Have you lost money in speculations?
missed an inheritance? heard bad music?
received visit from troublesome bore?
Have you been wounded in your affec-
lions? in your fortune2 in your ambi-
t,on?"
Then at the deserts, bursting into a fit
of laughter:
81 know what is the matter, and what
troubles you. 1t is your invi tation, SO
cordially made and SO literallyaccepted.
| thought that would make the trial,
suspecing that you would not endure
me long. To-day, you shut the door
against me, and Tomorrow, If should
return, you would throw me out of the
window. But you will not catch me
here. lwish you good evening"
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION.
sr1tJE frro of KTNG a. toy ia this day dis