River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-09-13
A VERY STRANGE NIGHT.
From the London Society.


Il was a baking hot day in Angus.
The rays OF the midday sun fell straight
on the dusty white road which leads to
Ouchy with an uncomprOmising glare, to
which even the green lizards, as they
glided hastily across the path, seemed
10Th 10 expos, themselves.
Walking sadiIy along, regardless
alike of heat I'd dust, came a sunburnt
traveller, who's, whole appearance, from
the wcather-worn knapsack on his back
70 the thick lace boots, at once pro-
claimed the EnSlishman.
BY Jove," said he, 1t IS hot. I
begin to think they are about right when
they say that only dogs and English
men walk in the sun Shall | ever get
To Ouchy?'
As he spoke tl-s white walls Of the vii
lage showed themselves through the dis
tant trees, and the traveller uttering joy
ful i0deJ which sent the lizards scuttling
off 10 their nests among the stones, quick
Cncd his pace and was soon at his desti-
nation.
Ouchy looked even hotter than the sur
rounding country. But the lake offered
a charm to the dusty traveller before which
all other considerations paled; So, direct
ing his steps 10 the bathing house which
stands on the brink, he was soon plunged
Ia the cool water.
ON his return 20 tara ifU1 Ouchy
p0re very different aspect. Half sn
hour AGO everv blind was drawn, and the
quay was desOlate Now all was life and
hustle. The blinds 70 longer concealed
Tie wide-open windows. and through
those Of the large white hotel the busy
walters may be seen hUrrying 10 and fro
Then a bell sounded musicslly over the
water, and IS the steamer, cause OF all the
excitement, appeared round the grassy
urcmOntorv. one or two intending passen-
gers came hurrying down the hill from
Lausanne: while an exhausted porter,
staggering under the weight Of q large
I,urtmanteau, v8inly en,le8vored 10 keep
pace with them
Vow hustle and CONFUSION feigued sU
preme, and the Jealous pOrters seemed
Wild with excitement rs they struggled
with ,he Saratoga trunks and heaps Of
luggage which we're landed from the
decks of the steamer Then, with more
Splashing and putting and merry laugh
ter from beneath the white awning. the
boat again started on its course.
The noise Of the paddles aai the
laughter died away in the distance, the
uortcrs bore off the last of the luggage,
tb knot of idlcrs melted away, aud
Ouchv composed herself 20 sleep again.
But stay-nOt quite asleep. One soil
Iarv figure might still be seen. \ neatly
attired man. carrying in his hand a small
pOrtmanteau. with which he strOlled
slowly along in the shadow of the trees
that border the lake, smoking cigarette
the while. Upon the portmanteau was
inscribed in legible characters Emile
Thouret" Turning . deaf ear 10 the
establishments of Jealous porter from
the grand Beau Rivage Hotel, who spicd
him from beneath the shade. he directed
his steps tO-the less imposing building,
at the window Of which our friend was
seated Presently, portmantoau in hand,
he entered the same room, and placed
himself sc an adjoining table.
\ pleasant looking fei.ow-a very
pleasant looking fellow" thought the
owner Of the knapsack, listening with re-
spectfuI admiration at the fluent German
in which Monsieur ThOuret addressed the
oh-eluiOus waiter.
Then the object of his thoughts turned
towards him. and remarked IN a CHEEKY
voice. and in excellent English that the
weather was extremely hot, was il not
An observation which drew from thC
other a very hearty assent.
The ice having now been broken, the
conversation was continued while they
discussed their luncheon, till Emiie-le
as call him mile-glancing at hi:
watch. exclaimed that he had only JUS
time to catch the train Tor FreipLrg. ana
that he must start at once.
so. said his newly-made acquaint
ance. Il am going to Freiburg; why
should we not travel togetherl' And il
a few minutes they stood side by side OF
the platform.
WHY" exclaimed they simultaneous
II. = a long luggage train came rumbling
towards the station, = this surely Is no
our train; it i all trucks.
But. sad to say, their train Il was; and
a. they regarded il with blank dismay, j
drew up 10 the platform. or rather put II
head under the station roof, leaving
long tail of empty wagons stretching IA
away down the line.
well remarked Emile. IS they stooC
on the little platform st the end OF thei
carriage and smoked. Eve shall have |
GOOD view Of the country 81 any rate
Whg. one could walk almost as fast q
this. No more luggage trains for me :
..Bye the bye. if i IS not an impefi
nent question. where did you manage 4
scouire such sn excellent knowledge o
LnglishiH
In London. vas four years ther'
when I was voung,. But I'm afraid tia
IL car hardly be called excellent
Il dont lnow-it's As good as M
own returned the other. If Il were no
for tic name on your p<rtmanteaus con
unae5 he, pointing with smile g "a
plece where that haQdy argicle Was to p