The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-02-27
AN UNFORTUNATE MAN.
STORY OF A FRENCH DRAMATIsT.

|
den OF an inn situated in the suburbs Of
Paris. Although the air was sharp and
| frosty, he seated himself near one Of
the tables placed out of doors, and
taking off his hat, passed his fingers
| through his long gray hair.
slIis hands eOntrasted strangely with
the remainder OF his person; they were
small, white, and terminated in sucn
delicately y-formed pink nails as might eX.
cite the envy of many young lady,
Presently one of the walters came up,
and placed before him a bottle of wine,
"Not any to-day, thank you," said the
old man; ~ feel iatigued, and will just
rest a moment"
Piled the ytS waiter, liter, gayly' "is 10 drink a
He drew the cork and poured out some
of the wine.
The old man rose and walked away.
The waiter was young lad, and it
was with confused and embarrassed
| air that lie ran after the guest, and said:
"Sir, there is credit for you at the
Lion dor: If you have forgotten your
purse, thaps no reason you should lose
your breakfast. Tomorrow, or when
ever you like, you can ask for your bill"
The old man turned, looked at the
youth, and tear sparkled in his eye.
Thou art right, JEAN" he replied /;
"poverty must not be proud. I accept
thy kindness as frankly as it is offered.
Help thyself to a glass of wine."
II drink to your good health, mon
sieur," said the waiter; and, having
emptied his glass, he went and obtained
some spiced meat, bread, cheese, fruit,
and everything necessary for tempting
and nourishing repast; then with ma
tive politeness, in order to lessen the
sense of obligation to his guest, he said:
"When next one of your pieces is play
ed, will you give me ticketH
"Tnou shalt have two this very even
ing, my good lad. l VIII go and get them
from Brunei, and bring them back to
thee"
strength, monsieur; some other day,
when you happen to pass by, will do as
WE'LL"
"Thou shalt have ticket to-day, for
they are going to perform one of my
pieces, lie Desespoir de JOcrissc,' at the
Theatre des Varieties, and it may amuse
thee"
eAh, thank you, monsieur. What
laughing ! shall haveW
"Y es; the poor old man, who but for
thy charity would not have had NOR
sci to cat to-day, will this evening enter
tain numerous assembly. They will
applaud his pleasantly, they will laugh
at his wit, but none of them will inquire
about his destiny"
"But, monsieur, do not your pieces
bring you moneyr
ssNot now, my friend. In order to
support life during the past month, L was
Obliged to forestalI the resources of the
present one. These are only slender re-
turns for my earlier productions, for now
age and misfortune have robbed me Of
my former powers. no longer offer any
vaudeyilles to the managers; for, al
though they accept them and pay me,
they never have them played. Il per-
ceive they only take them from motives
of compassion, and as a preteXt for giv-
ing me aims. Now, my friend, thou art
the first from whom l have accepted
charity, and thou shalt be the last. The
sou OF Louis QuinZe may have descend
ed to write i'll the character Of buf-
foon, and, as it were, to set his wit dane
ing on the tight-rope OF d vaudeville, but
he will not become beggar, were he ex-
piring of hunger. You look as if you
think l have lost my senses; but it is not
so. Louis Doryigny is the SON Of king.
My mother, the young orphan daughter
of Count d'Archambaud, died in giving
During my childhood and youth an in
provided amply for my support and ed
ucation. Suddenly the fostering hand
was withdrawn, and / was cast on the
world to work unaided for my support. l
did 80 until the moment when the pow
ers of both mind. and body failed me.
This is my history-a royal origin, sue
cess, reputation, almost glory; and its
end meal owed to'charity! Adieu, and
thanks; will bring the tickets for the
play"
So the old man departed; but as he
stepped into the road he found himself
intercepted by two or three cavalry reg
iments returning to their barracks after
a review.
The band was playing lively air, and
in the midst of his troops rode, in the
place OF honor, a general dressed i'll
u magnificent uniform, and mounted on a
splendid Andalusian charger. Happen
ing, as he passed, to cast glance at
DOrvigny, he uttered loud eXclama-
tion Of surprise. Without needing his
men, he. stopped, jumped OFT his horse,
and, taking the old man by the hand, sa-
luted him with great affection. Dorvig-
ny stared with astonishment, not recog-
nizing his features.
Ou w uoG huOW law INChty
| long years caused Monsieur Dorvigny to
forget his idle, good-for- nothing servant
boy ~
"Jean Duboisp
"Yes. Jean Dubois-Jocrisse, as you
| called him. You ought not to have, for
gotten me, for l served as u model OF
one of your happiest dramatic crea-
| tions."
"What! my poor boy-monsieur,
| mean-you are become a generalW
"Precisely. While in your service l
was terrible destroyer OF plates; now,
in the emperor's, perform the same Of
| flee for his enemies. How glad L am to
have met you! During the Two or three
days / have been in Paris, have sought
tor you in every direction, but vainly.'
81 have no longer all abode"
'Then you must come and take up one
with me-"
"GeneralW
GA general is accustomed to be obey.
ed. arrest you as my prisoner. Co..
! he continued, addressing a soldier,
'sfetch me carriage, and lend my horse
home. Now, Monsieur Dorvigny, step ill.,"
| Half resisting the old man took his
place in the carriage next the general.
"Do you remember" said The latter,
as they drove on, ''the day l left your
service, because, as you told me, you
were no longer rich enough to keep a
saryantq tried nv fortuna in Sayera