The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-04

How He Plays Nine.Pine and Di.
verts Himself i'm switzerland.
THE parisisn,l

verts Himself i'm switzerland.
1.-The Parisian.]
Switzerland is q country Of complete
neutrality, and equality is as much of a
reality here as anywhere. N. Gambetta,
as soon as he arrives, strips off the pub
lie man with determination that would
discourage the most persistent inter-
viewer. There is no officious mayor or
advanced pharmacien to foment Village
manifestations which end in Bengal lights
and retraits aux hambeanx executed
by the village pompiers and the local
fanfare. The Swiss, with their soft hats
and impertnrbable gravity, and the tour
lists, with their Murray or their B@deker,
do not trouble themselves much about
M. Gambetta. They may say among
themselves, IN. Gambetta, the great
French orator, is here. He is
at the Cretes. All, there he is"
The Presidents life, indeed, is as sim
pie as it can be. Challemel Lacour and
some few other political men are at the
chateau, but they are all bent on dis
tracing Themselves. Nj. Ganfbetta con-
descends without difficulty to become an
ordinary mortal, and goes to Vevay, to
Chillon, or to Villeneuve, by the steam
er, Just as other felix's do. He wears a
loose gray suit and straw hat, and loafs
about great dealon foot. He systemat-
ically avoids riding in carriage when be
is at Les Cretes. The house, too, is man
AGED very modestly. Nine Arnaud is
simplicity and good.
She is much loved in the village, both
for her bounty and simplicity, and for
her amiability. As for walking in the
garden of the chateau, M. Gambetta does
so necessarily. From morning to night
he is like the "Wandering Jew," and
when he talks he never misses an oppor-
tllnity of bringing in his refrain On the
beauties of the site, and of then march
ing off triumphautly to play at nine-pins.
Playing at nine-pins is indeed the great
object and occupation OF life at Les
Cretes. From morning until night you
hear the sheek of the pins. Behind the
chateau, beyond the hot-house, is large
lawn surrounded by splendid chestnut
trees. 1t is there that the pins are set
up
1t is now some time since legend began
to form its fantastic crystalizations
around the name of Gambetta We may
ther fore Ike pardoned for narrating le-
gend which has grown up in the country
relative to the way in which M. Gam
betta received liking for nine-pins. He
was walking one day with his secretary
when he herd the gathering of the
pins. "Whatis that9' he asked. 4t
seems to be me peasants playing"
'Playing at what?" Sat nine piis." "
N "Nine-pins." dyes" "Where can they
| be playingw Probably in the cafe yon-
4 der, behind the hedge" M. Gambetla,
1 so says the legend, made a bound. and
! was in the back yard Of the Cafe du
Nord in less than no time. 1t was a mis-
cradle little cafe.
The President watched two or three
strokes then he began to talk with the
PLAYERS. There were the postman, a boat.
man, and two or three yine-dressers
"Will you let me play with you?" sud
denly asked M. Gambetta. Certainly
said the postman, who had recognized
him. So the master Of the house wa'
brought ont to make the game square
and battle royal wss begun. Afte
half an hours wild, furious and enthusi
astic pay, M. Ganbetta's side was beaten
but not ANONYMOUSLY. Beer was brongh
out and the President paid the score.
| When Nine. ,Arnaud heard OF this cs
capade she laughed heartily, and at once
ordered frst-class game Of nine pins II
be brought up to the chateau. Sine
then M. Garnbetta has never passed a 'd,,.
at Les Cretes without battering the pin
under Jean jacques Rouseau's chestnu
trees, for | forgot to tell the reader tina
the chateau is built on the very spo
where the bosqueu de Julie used to b
shown.