Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-01-08
''J'ai L'FHOnneur De vOus SaIue.,,

AT one OF Mile. Bernhardt'S receptions In this
city young BoStonian found the way open to
an Introduction, which he mad eagerly desired.
IN order not 10 appear too provincial he called
On friend slightly versed in French, to ac-
quire Information regarding the department
usuai on such an occasion. WELL" said his
friend, when you are introduced you will bow
and smile. and withdraw. If you see fit you
can say 'Mademoiselle, j'ai rhonneur de vou5
salue.'n ''Yes, that's 1T want TO say some
thing 1t would be SO stupid to walk up, take a
look, and back out without saying word" 1T
would please the lady to hear herself addressed
In her native tongue" Splendid" added the
pupil; but what does the lingo mean that you
Boston, and salute her In the name Of the
people" splendid" rejoned the novice, you
just write 1t down and III commit 1t to mem
young man might have been seen in the
horse cars and at his place OF business scan
Ming with great care bit Of paper which
he to, took out ut, OF his vest pocket and
put back into his vest pocket some two hundred
times In the course OF six hours He became
letter perfect, and as he passed the statue OF
Franklin on his way home he smiled and soto
rOee exclaimed. benjamin, jay Phonnor de VOC
sa!ue." He liked the sound OF his own saluta-
ton so well that almost inyoluntarily he ejacu-
lated. Park street church, jay lhonnor de VOC
he bowed and whispered. ''Gided dome, jay
ihOnnor de vous salue." AS he left his aged
mother and spinster sister after dinner to per.
feet his toilet he addressed his relatives with
salue." That the immediate members OF Of
his own family felt that something was
wrong with their relative was apparent
from the fact that as he left the house
he was watched by them till he was out of
sight. But 1t was in crossing the Public Garden
that young Boston went through his grand
dress rehearsal. He looked at the Ether monu-
ment In the distance, and at Onced imagined
that It was the Bernhardt. He approached
gracefully, took of bis hat and in mellihuous
tones exclaimed. mile. Bernhardt, jay Phonnor
de vous salue." He was SO well satisfied that
he concluded that nothing more could be done
in the way OF preparation, and he walked boldly
to the encounter, congratulating himself that
graceful little speech, and already In 1magtna-
ton he was baskiDg In the smile of the great &C
tress. 1t was some time after the reception had
commenced that he took the arm of his friend
who was to honor him with an Introduction
As he approached the actress sculptor and
painter, he felt weakness in LIS knees The
room appeared TO be turning round while the
phrase Which he had imprinted on his memory
OF came mass of words without meaning. He
head his name pronounced as IL it were some
ofhtr fellow who was being introduced, and he
felt that this other fellow made bow and said
''M6m'selle." He knew the other fellow broke
words We're unuttered. He retired. seized hts
coat, and In the cool air OF that winter evening
he Wended his way home. AS he passed the
statue or Washington on horseback he looked
up and remarked: 'Georse 1 have made an
ass Of myself" In the dim moonlight of a
tea0en sky he thought he saw the horse whtsk
MS TAIL and from the OraZen lips OF the great
captain came forth in thunder tOnes-'.J'a al
.'nonneur de vous salue."-BOstOn JOurnpl