The weekly union record., 1865-08-26
A Singular Story.
THE DISHEARTgxED ARTIST.

A few weeks since man, only some five
and thirty, or eight and thirty years old, went
into the cafe AuglAise, Paris, aud said TO the
mistress
Il wish you would retain No. l3 for me this
evening. Lay plates for eight. and have din
uer on the table at seven precisely. leave
the selection OF the dinner with you.-Give Us
dinner of four dollars head. wine included.
Here is bank note for $40; four times eight
are thirty two; the change, eight dollars, Is
for the walters
Al quarter before seven be returned he
was shown into No. l3 He asked for pen, ink
and paper. After be received them. he tore a
sheet of paper into eight severa parts. wrote
something on each of lhem and placed one OF
them on each plate. When the clock struck
seven he SAID 10 the waiter
Il will wait till half past seven
At the appointed lime he took his seat at
the table, and said to the asronished waiter
Serve the dinner just the same as if all my
guests were present"
The waiter obeyed, aud placed dish of soup
on each plate, managing, while doing so, to read
the names on the plates He found nothing
on the bits of paper but re, ia. sol, la, 81, do
When he went back to the kitchen, he told
The servant the odd guests be had in No l3.
The rumor reached the ear of the master Of the
honse; he at once suspected that something
was wrong.
How is tie gentleman dressed ?" he asked
the waiter
He is dressed in black. When he went
into the room he took IF bis overcoat, and
placed it on the piann. where II still remains.
Bring me his coat. It doubtless contains
letters or Visiting cards, and we shall find what
sort OF guest we have. Act cautiously, and
be quick"
The waiter soon returned with the overcoa,.
Master aud servant instantly searched the pock
els. They found neither letters nor visiting
cards; but they discovered two small pocket
pistols. which were capped and loaded. The
master drew the charges. left the caps on The
nipples, replaced them in the pocket, and made
the servant carry the overcoat back to the
private room As he was ealing dessert the
waiter asked hm-I mean lhe strange guest
if be would lake coff-e.
Yes"
How many cups 7"
Eight, of cnnIse
The eight cups were filed.
"Now, leave me; when want you l will
ring the bell
his eye to the keyhole to see what was going
to take place.
As soon as the guest was alone. he heaved
a deep sigh. rose went to he piano. opened ii.
PLAYED an air from one of Verdis operas and
tried 10 sing tin vain His voice was com
pletey gone HIS hands fell into his lap. and
the tears coursed down his cheeks. He mur-
mured-
"All is over 'Tis hopeless. my voice is
broken shall never again be able To obtain
another engagement My career is at an ED
am dead man" Then he added. with an
hy-terical laugh. "Gads wasn't it deviish
ingenious notion? had 10 give a farewell
dinner to my nnes-a parting banquet to those
poor notes which, last year, were so brilliant
and so pnre in my throat. Artists alone can
conceive and exercise such ideas. All poor
fellow, the game is up with you nothing is
left you but to die
He put bis hand in the pocket Of his over
coat, took out two pistols, placed the mpzze OF
each in each Of his ears. and pulled the triggers
The caps exploded. and The poor fellow fell
senseess on the parlor floor
The keeper of the res anrant. who was hard
by, ran into the room, and aided By his ser
wants, lifted MP the would be suicide. The
usual restoratives were applied and when con
seriousness returned it was found impossible to
convince The guest hat he was still alive. He
bad gone crazy. He rayed-
Now that | am dead man, I don't care
who knows who was when was alive. Nine
George Sand has told my history in one OF her
novels. My name is Alpin Ger ber-A lbany
is my stage name. was 90 the Eve of sing
ing a magnificent engagement with the mana
ger of the Italian Opera, when that rascal
FraDschni cut me ont. | fell sick. and lost
my voice. Fortunately, my pistols did not
snap. II did not miss the vital organs. and !
am dead. Garry me to Pere Ia Chaise, if you
please"
The master of the house sent for the police.
and the i'll starred wretch was Immediately
carried to a lurstic asylum.