The Portland daily press., 1867-12-23
Miscellany.


Froaro relates an amusingly exasperating
adventure that recently belel one of its coad-
tutors, Nori@, author of La Betise HUI
maine" He was sleeping one morning much
at his ease, and not at all in the mood for re-
ceiviug company, when the door of his room
opened, and there walked in little man,
short and stout, who seated himself without
ceremony on the foot of the bed. f
"You are certainly Jules Noria p said the
new conner in strong Meridional accent.
% Yes sir replied Norie sitting up and rub
bling his eyes to be sure that he was awake.
" am" pursued the stranger, native of
small town of Provence, and at my house ev-
cry winter assemble a society OF my friends;
most worthy tellows-all grocers for wine, oil
and olives. Can you imagine how we spend
the EVENING"" -~. reu5
IT have not the faintest idea" s0a
"We read your books. 1t is / who read
aloud, with my sonorous and vibrating voice."
"Highly fattere Monsieur" .m u
81 need not tell you how the time flies,
how the hours glide by unheeded, thanks to
the charms of your incisive style, your origin
al method, your sparkling witt EI8t
Monsieur" observed Noria, 81 do not de-
test compliments, but must say prefer to
receive them in the afternoon. In the morn
ing, when one is still fasting, and has gone to
bed late" .. . +
pa. All, you may well speak of compliments
continued the Provencal, remorselessiy. "Just
hear me out, and dont't interrupt me. Know
that the people of the South are not migrate
full, and like to render homage when they
have enjoyed intellectual delights. At our
last seance, L rose, / said in my vibrating and
sonorous voice: My friends, we have not
finished here. am going to Paris to see the
Exposition, and the idea has occurred to me
to call upon NJ. Norie, and make him little
present in the name of us ALL" Bravo! cried
all voices as of single man. Then came the
discussion concerning an article suitable to
offer. Money was of no use-we knew that
you would squander it Immediately; after
much discussion, the true idea dawned las
usual) upon my mind, and Heaven has guild
ed my steps to its accomplishment. The pur-
chase is effected, the deed is now in my pock-
ct" ~ ia ..,.-
S"What purchase, what deed?' cried Nor@,
in q sha.p tone.
Chow! you do not guess prepare yourself
Tor delightful surprise, then my friend.
have bought for You concession in perpet
uity at Pere La Chaise! In the grande alice
if you please, close by the tomb of Balzac
The SOL il dry, because it is on the slope o
the hill, and that is great advantage, for you
know dampness decomposes rapidly, and il
would be pity ii you should crllmble to
pieces for year or two. Come, look little
pleased; here is the deed, and all signed by
the authorities. No one knows how soon
you may need it, exhausted as you are by dis
sipation." a5 ST. -rai
At this moment Nori@ leaped from bed
and seized his good Toledo cane.
kind Meridional," said he, Il do not wish
to be endebited to you for concessions, and
therefore make you that of not throwing
you out ofthe window, but on condition that
you do me the pleasure OF taking yourself of
in the twinkling of secondw -
When Nori@ related this adventure he adj
added, Il went back back to bed and
soon as shut my eyes, 1 saw myself inferred
on the dry spot, close by Balzac, and the
prospect was not altogether cheerful"