The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-01-07
Victor Hnpn and the Rarhnr.

HialmarH Hjorth Boyeson in an article
on Victor Hugo in Scrab1ler'S Monthly
tells the following anecdote of the
French poet: In the year l848 Victor
Hugo lived in the Place Royale, and was
in the habit of patronizing a barber
named Brassier, who had his shop in
the vicinity. One morning gentleman,
who for convenience sake I shall name
H, entered the BARRIERS shop, seated
himself in chair, and elevated his chin
to the proper angle, while Brassier stood
sharpening his razor.
well, Brassier, how is business?"
Excellent. sir, excellent! I should
| say it is even too good, for I don't sec
how 1 and my boys are to get through
with all our engagements which we
have to-day. Balls and parties every
where! We have to dress the hair ofno
less than thirty ladies for tonight. Look
here is the list of their addresses
A few days later Mr.. H was
again seated in Brassier's chair.
How about your thirty ladies, Bras
sier'
Don't speak of it, sir. I didn't get
around to more than half of them. And
in the end l shall lose half dozen or
more good customers, and it is all the
fault Of NJ. Victor Hugo
How the fault of NJ. Victor Hugo?
What has he to do with your clients?'l
1t is just as I say, sir. and you will
easily comprehend it. A few moments
after you left, NJ. Victor Hugo entered
and seated himself in this very chair. |
put the napkin around his neck, seized
a shaving brush. and was about to ap-
proach him, when he cried: "Wait." "
| He pulled a pencil from his pocket, and
began to tumble impatiently in his coat
tails and in his breast pocket without
finding what he sought At last he dis
covered piece of paper on that stand,
seized it and began to write. Although
was hard pressed for time, / waited
until he should have finished. But he
why he paid no more attention than if l
had never existed. but scribbled away,
and only stopped occasionally to bite his
pencil. well. 60 on, scribble away"
I said to myself "If you can read it
yourself you are lucky" Such terrible
scrawl! And people call him fine writer!
eff you are at liberty, sir" I said.
Zone moment, and l shall have DONE"
he answered. But the moment passed,
and was still standing with soap-dish
in my hand and brush full of lather, and
fuming with impatience. He still kept
on as before. scribbling away, stopping,
and raising his eyes to the ceiling. par
don me, sir" I ventured to say, II am
very much pressed" "Ah, you are
in a hurry" he replied; SO am +" and
then he made for the door and went.
Your hat. sir" I cried after him.
"You arc right" he answered, smiling,
Il did not think of that" And off he
went. without even allowing me to
shave him. Gentlemen, you have not
moment to lose," I shouted to my
assistants. "You will each 20 to the
address which shall give you. Here is
the list-well, where is the listp Wait a
minute! l declare-where is that list?
What nave you done with that list. you
rascals?" "Sir, it was on that stand q
little while ago" " There! Are you sure
cnly grace! only that was wanting. 1t
was on my list that NJ. Victor Hugo had
lust been writing. 1t was my list, sir,
that he had carried away with him, after
having covered it all over with his
scrawl. Do you understand now ho~
he made me lose my customers!
Compose yourself,my dear Brassier. "
said Mr.. H. "If this scrap of paper
had not been found to receive the inspira-
tion of the poet, French literature would
have lost some very fine verses. You
have been the collaborateur of Victor
Hugo, and that is no small honor"