Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-06-03
Dead Broke.
BY 2. L,

One afternoon, last summer, a lady and
8 gentleman were seated under the horse
chesnuts in the main avenue of the gar
den of the Tuileries, at Paris, which as
most folks know, is public promenade
and where numberless chairs are placed in
rows and hired to fatigued promenaders at
SIX cents piece.
After having chatted for some time
watching the gambols of the little children
who were lost in admiration of "Punch
and Judy" and of the non commissioned
officers. who were lost in admiration of
their nurses our two promenaders rose to
leave, when they were confronted by the
proprietress of the chairs, who demanded
her twelve cents.
The lady searched in her pocket.
81 declare" said she. laughing, GIVE
forgotten my port-monaie.
The gentleman felt in his pockets in
turn.
upon my word" said he, also laugh
ing, 'pve done the same"
This by 10 means suited the view of
the good woman.
That's played out, said she or words
to that effect. Its all very fine for peo-
pie to come here and lounge upon chairs
half the morning without paying, but l
don't see the joke. [ want my money"
The gentleman frowned.
Here madame" said he take this
glove and return it to tn" person who will
bring You its fellow, and hand you your
money"
So saying, he departed with his com
panion, who with difficulty RETAINED from
bursting out laughing.
Suddenly the blue sky was overcast with
dark clouds, which piled themselves in a
threatening manner, and our two prone
naders had hardly left the garden before
large drops of rain began to fall. They
hurried along, but had barely reached the
entrance to the Rue du Colyse when the
rain poured down in torrents, and the
street was converted into miniature
river There was not a cab to be seen,
and our two pedestrians were forced to
seek the shelter of an open gateway, as
wet as a bucket of water.
The porter of the house was occupied
With formidable broom in sweeping back
the water, which threatened to overflow
the vestibue
Madame" said he, ''you can't remain
there under the gateway, you will catch
your death Of cold. Come into the lodge,
you will be comfortable"
The lady, after glancipg at her cOmpan-
ion, said. 4 acsept your hospitality" and
they both entered the lodge.
The worthy doorkeeper placed chairs for
his guests, and began to entertain them
with all the gossip of the neighborhood.
After a while, addressing the gentleman:
"Well what do you think about poll
tics - said he /?
What do you think yourself 2" replied
the gentleman evasively.
why, l think everything would be
much better if everything was not so bad
be. eve want reforms. L know
very well that the Emperor is ready to
grant them, and would be only too glad.
\ K x See here, if could get to him.
if l was his cousin, for instance, ia show
him how to go to work.
lyon don't mean that Do you think
he would listen to you p replied the gen
tleman, laughing.
The rain still fell, but not so violently.
The lady rose, and going to the door,
said:
mot a cab disengagel."
81 can lend you an umbrella if you wish
to go home" said the porter.
with pleasure" replied the gentleman;
eve will return 1t to you Immediately; we
live near here"
It was regular family roof, end might
have easily sheltered three persons
After having thanked the gatekeeper |
for his hospitality, the couple withdrew.
perhaps [ have compro missed myself
by talking politics before them," thought |
the porter. mo" continued he, 81 don't !
think SO; they look like good, honest citi-
zers"
An hour afterward, lackey brought the
back to the lodge with a letter
and purse, through the meshes of which |
q few gold pieces could be seen.
The letter contained these simple words:
'FThanks."
And was signed,
1.-The cousin of the Emperor"
Leaving the lodge, the lackey went to |
The garden of the TuiIeries and SHOWING
a glove to the proprietress Of the chairs
"Here, madame, are twelve cents" said
1e, ''have the goodness to return the glove
which his Imperial Highness, Prince Ma
ooleon, left with you in pledge"
Such an adventure could never have
to King Louis Philippe, who
always carried his umbrella with him
wherever he went.