The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-10-10
THE FOURTEENTH.

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now it is something that very sensible
people do not like to do, and in France,
hundred years ago, it was not to be
thought of; and there were men Of
gentle appearance who kept by them
dinner dress and hired themselves out
to hosts who found it impossible other.
wise to avoid the dreadful number; so
that guatoTieme, or fourteenth, was
actually calling,
When Madame Nerne's Grand
daughter Hortense was betrothed to
Monsieur Moran, it became necessary
to celebrate the occasion by little
family supper. No strangers were to
be asked -gradmamma, grandpapa,
pa, who since his wife's DEATH had led
sort Of bachelors life in Paris, leav-
ing his little daughter with her grand.
parents; Madame Noir, and her
husband; NJ. Moran, and the aunts
and uncle's, and cousins generally
were to come no one else. But when
Madame Verne had counted them all,
she found to her horror, that they
numbered thirteen Something must
be done She bethought her to invite
NJ. Rodep, the priest, who had christ.
ened little Hortense. Surel = that was
quite suitable.
So NJ Roden was invited, and all
went we'll until two days before the
supper, when an unimportant young
cousin bethought him to break limb,
and reduced the party again to thir-
teen. The time was short. but madame
made the best it. She invited the mu-
sic master who accepted with delight.
1t was certainly proper that one who
had taught the pretty Hortense so
many years should be one of the par
ty. Matters were arranged once more
so that reath should have no chance
to count his own at that table, when
message came to Uncle Pierre which
demanded his presence elsewhere.
Again there were but thirteen guests,
and but halfa day remaining. Ma.
dame Verne was equal to the emerg.
ency. She sent q note to a deaf old
gentleman of her acquaintance, repre-
senting the supper as all impromtu
affair, and begging him to come. And
now all was we'll again. The fourteenth
guest was in the house, the rest we're
arriving. The ladies we're adding the
finishing touches to their toilettes in
the dressing-room, and Hortense, all
blushes, was receiving the congratula-
tions of her friends, when suddenly
o,.l 70, 4
the house.
The maiden aunt Mademoiselie Ro-
sine, had caught her dress on fire. It
was extinguished before she was hurt,
but the dress was spoiled, her nerves
upset, and she could not and would
not remain to the supper. and there
was the supper awaiting the guests
who were again thirteen
Madame Verne was in despair. How
could she go to friend aud say, 'We
lid not mean to invite you to sup with
US, hut we are thirteen; come. and
make haste for it is on the table
Plainly she could neither do this
ask one Of her guests to depart, nor
stay away herself. A quatoriemo
must be had hut how and where on
so short notice Suddenly Madame
/ Verne remembered her notary. Sure
/ ly a man who had transacted all the
/ family business would do them the lit.
tie favor Of saying life. A carriage
was at the door. She tossed on hood
and shawl and hurried into it.
I Il.
said to the coachman, as fast as you
can
The coachman obeyed 1t was only
five minutes ride to the building in
which the notary's Office was located
many storied edfice. Of which he
occupied the second floor M. Moran
Hortense's betrothed husband, occu.
pied the first AS she hurried past
their door, Madame Verne glanced to-
wards therl and saw a lady in black,
speaking to a servant, who at the same
instant shut the door in her face.
Madame Verne, having mounted the
stairs, was doomed to disappointment.
The notary vas in, but he was suffer
ing from an attack of gout. He was
in 10 coQdition to dine out. However,
he could give her the directions Of a
quatorzielre,'Gho, if he was disengaged
would he happy to hire himself out
for supper time He wrote on piece
Of pa2eL aud again madame hurried
down stairs. As she reached the foot
however, she paused A woman, dress
ed in black, sat upon the lower one
rocking herself to and fro, and moan
ing. Madame Verne had kind heart
She paused, stopped down, touched the
figure upon the shoulder and said, My