Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-01-08
NAY WAIIER sPEAKr

poses tolerabIy decent testimonIals,) and was
rejected solely because / could not speak
French. Whereupon L determined to learn
thatlanguage, and proceeded straight to Paris,
whore obtained an appointment at the Hotel
du Rhiu, on the Place Vendome, solely because
I could speak English.
1t was the beginning of 1S4S thatEI proceed
ed to the wonderful metropolis, and cannot
say that saw much of the sundry revolutions,
because kept carefully out Of the way, as 1
was only lOdger. Things went on tolerably
pleasantly with me, and was picking up
French fast, thanks to a certain eznssTters,
when an event occurred. So
declare to you positively that when, in
September, lS4S, decent-looking facTs drew
mp at the door, and there descended from it
But never mind, he was decent-looking sort
Of gent, bat all fhe luggage be had with him
consisted of two rather seedy carpet bags As
he asked me for one ''one" room. Of course /
showed him up to the fifth story. Perhaps all
the other Apartments were engaged-perhaps
they were not; but that is a secret sbetwixt
myself and my employer. At any rate, if the
old sdage that "silence gives consent be true;
the stranger was quite satisfied with the fashion
In which he was treated for, without saying
word, be took possession of parlor next the
sky, which was not magnifeently fitted up. /
could judge Of that, because slept next door.
At that time, of course, my readers are aware
that France was a Republic, and the Govern
ment had something more important to do than
trouble themselves about strangers passports,
the color Of their hair and 30 on. No one ask
ed our new customer for his credentials but,
for all that, be gave me his name as ''Mr. Jack
son, Of New York, in the event Of any letters
arriving, or persons asking to see him.
But, bless you, fOr a long time it seemed as If
that trouble were quite supeTfuous, for he had
Lot the slightest connection with the outer
world, as far as people were concerned Mr..
Jackson received neiher letters nor visits and
La L.. Il
seemed 10 consist in talking with me, IN
pleasant, quiet way, about the events of the
day and when he discovered that was an
E1gIishman Qhough how he did so do not
know to this day, for my accent was perfect,)
be told me that he was an American, who had
lived many years in England and loved her in
stitutiOns. Now, do you know that did me good:
I had 50 long been accustomed to be called
ROS5if or Btftek dRgkaIs, with other compli-
ments l may omit, that it delighted me to be
addressed simply as George" / cannot say
that felt any extraordinary respect for the
gent on the fifth hoor; still, must allow that
he always behaved to me as gent, and never
objected to mount so many flights of stairs that
/ might have the pleasure Of waiting on him.
Our mysterious stranger spent the day in
smoking, reading, and writing; for he had
brought good many books with him, and took
in oyery paper that appeared in Paris at that
period, and they were no trife TO get through,
I assure you. de had his meals In his room,
and never said q word against anything 1
brought him up; and 1 am sorry to say now
that palmed of many queer dish on him.
The only thing be was particular about was his
wine, and that must be the very best Bordeaux,
no matter the price; and as he paid his bill
very regularly, We had no objection to serve
him with il.
The funniest thing about the stranger was
that he would stand at his fifth story window
in deep thought looking out on the Place Ven
~ II aaid To eli
many a time that it was certainly handsome
work Of art, and worth looking at, say twice !;
but however a man could come all the way from
America to live in a fifth floor room, and look
at nothing but that column and my unworthy
self, candidly confess beat even me. And it
is not easy, i can tell you, to beat a waiter.
Just come and try, at But there, / almost let
my secret out. The gentleman whe takes these
words down from my lips says that if let it
be known where l am, the whole world-which
is saying, in other words, the readers Of Robin
GOodfsIEOBc-wouldc come to have a look at me.
tune aud owe him grudge.
What's the news to-day ?' the mysterious
asked me one morning when brought in his
breakfast.
''NOt much. !" replied chsekily; for was a
Republican, if anythiDgip those days. people
are talking about Louis Napoleon, and saying
that he had been arrested for returning to
France without leave"
Indeed ?" said Mr.. jackson, quietly. on
hearing the news and as left the room 1
happened 10 look into a mirror, and saw him
smiling furtiveIy. Now, what the deuce was
there Ia my remark to make him smile put
it down that he was related to Mrs. Patterson,
and felt pleased that some one Of the family
was served out, as they all richly deserved.
On another occasion, when the stranger ask
ed me about the news Of the day, told him
that an extra performance WIS to be given that
evening on behalf Of the pdsr, at the Theatre
Franeais, and that Rachel had promised to sing
the Marseillaise for this occasion as the last.
She had done 80 during the Revelation, and l
had gone to hear her; but as for singing
There is word in the English language very
seldom used-''mOuthy. When / learned
French-neyer mind where, as am only a
Iaiter-my master told me that the whole art
Of speaking French lay in opening my mouth.
If that be true, then Rachel was what is popu-
larly termed ''stunner." If music were q
recognized art in England, and were author.
iLed 70 form an opinion, Rachel hovled. But
that is neither here nor there. will return to
my stranger Said Familiarity:
''NoW, Took here, In spite Of the hardness OF
the times, the tickets are uncommonly expen-
sive The Englishman who lives on our FIRST
floor has paid sixty francs for an orchestra stall
Oh dear when . man is rich he can afford such
sxtravagant luxuries. I say, Mr.. jackson
lord forgive me y would you like to pay such
apries for bit OF amusement, supposing you
could 2o F--f "a ..frI
Possibly" said the mystery man. with q
smile, and interrupted the agreea bic converse
ton By taking mp the book he had laid aside
when entered his "one" room. Hang his
impertinenos half made up my mind to
wait on him no longer; but took mercy on
him. Just about fortnight after Mr.. Mystic,
ry's arrival began to make grand discovery
Mr.. Jackson, of the fifth fOor Of the Hotel du
Rhin, was not half 50 badly Of for friends as
had imagined. he began having visitors
daily-generally gray haired gentlemen, wear
ing orders, and many Of them looking uncom.
monty like old soldiers. Whenever 7 entered
the hfth-story room with cigars or refreshments,
could not help noticing that these gentlemen n
behaved in a most respectful manner to Mr..
Jackson, and had a most unpleasant habit of
talking In the lowest possible voice. Gould
anything more insulting TO waiter be devised?
Not that cared to overhear the eonversation--
bat still $500. ..--s.-
l-A a -. - IL