Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-01-29
THE GODS ARE LEAVING US.

wit, and were it not for his ignorance,
from literary and artistic standpoint,
ne would have been an ornament to
society.
Unfortunately he received but an Or
binary education, and sometimes made
the most laughable mistakes; however,
he always succeeded in extricating him
self from the most ridiculous situations,
by his wit, humor and tact.
Once the General wished to give an
entertainment in the beautiful gardens
of his villa near Algiers, in the delight
full plain of Mustapha. He naturally
desired that his ball should be magnif-
cent. and spared no pains to outshine
in brilliancy and splendor the Governor
of Algiers, who was noted for his ex~
travagance. Everything promised sue
cess, when. a week before the ball, the
General, who had tried to think of
everything, remembered that his gard
ems were unadorned by statuary of any
kind. He knew that at Algiers ziphyr
Ia member of a disciplinary corps in
the French army was at work on
bust of q Colonel who had been killed
recently, and whose tomb was in pro-
gress of construction; this soldier was
sculptor of considerable talent, and the
General. who knew nothing whatever
about the time necessary for modelling
d statue, did not for an instant donbt
that IN a week the gardens could be
peopled with all the gods and goddesses
of antiquity.
So he sent for the ziphyr, who made
his appearance before the general
frisky and self-possessed. These fantastic
troopers carry their freedom of man
uers to an extreme degree; they wear
with an indescribable air and grace
their modest gray cloak, and their ele-
gance excltes the jealousy even of the
zouaves, who are 7cnsidered the acme
of style.
Impressible and indomitat,' we're it
not for the mOnotony of garrison life,
which is forever prompting them to
some mad act Of deviltry, the ziphyrs
would be the cream of regiments: but
fretted by all restraint, they run into
excuses that necessitate their transfer
to Africa, to special corps in which the
discipline is terrible in its rigidity.
Still they find means to play the most
ludicrous practical jokes on their su.
periors, and generally the whole thing is
SO laughable that tie officers know not
whom to punish, so that all are for
given.
The general awaited the ziphvr in his
park.
my boy" said he, q hear that you
are very clever. Now this is what
want you to do. Next Saturday night
give ball. [ desire to adorn the bow
ers and groves with statutes. l wan
Bacchus, Apollo. Venus, the whole
NEUROLOGICAL tribe-in plaster"
Why not IN marble, while you are a
lt? said the ziphyr in bantering way
. In week! Impossible!
"Hold your tongue, will you," sai<
the general; 81 don't want any argu
ment."
Enough! If you have not finished
my statues by Saturday night, you vii
go to the guard room."
The ziphyr, consid erably astonished
looked at the General, but the latter die
not seem to be joking.
How much money do you need t.
buy the plaster~ asked the General.
A hundred francs,' said the ziphyr
with self-possession. He had resigned
himself to the strange freak of his com
handing officer.
The General thought the sum rather
large, but yielded with good grace
saying:
"Here are 5 louis, but if that is the
cost of plaster it would be cheaper tc
build with piles of don-os Is franc
pieces). Remember Saturday at P. NJ. ,
"Give me till midnight, General, as
the ball does not begin before o'clock.
So be it, but finish them up careful
ly, particularly the Goddesses. / wan
a stunning Venus.,'
aye, there's the rub" said the art
list, " | can only manufacture GODS
why so?'
Because, in my art each one ha
ms special line. Inever learned to molt
women"
Well, that is provoking" said tn,
General; however, if you are punctual
VII put up with your figures. Au re
yoir."
s. Au revoir, and thank you, General
said the ziphyr, laughing in his sleeve
That night be vent the rounds of tn
wine shops of Algiers. For a week h,
made ducks and brakes of the Gener
ais money. and became frequent visi
tor at all the cafes of the town and su
burbs. The day before the memorable
Saturday, the General sent for him
Look here" said he, what are you do
ing with yourself? getting drunk instea,
Of working. You kicked up a fuss a
the Cafe Chantant last night; the nigh
before you were at the statlon-house
this morning you beat a negro on Bah
Azour street, your
General" interrupted the ziphyr, Sc
can work only when under the infiu
ence of stimulants. Many great artist
have been like me; the best proof tina
l am working, is that am noisy. M.
inspiration only comes to me when
am warmed by wine"
i have heard that many sculptor