Middletown transcript., 1881-09-09
THE ROMANCE OF A NOTEBOOK


THE ROMANCE OF A NOTEBOOK.
Everyone in Paris knows barley, the
ivery-stable keeper. His establish
aent is now half century old, and he
furnishes the Faubourg st. German
with all the carriages they hire. Many
of the upper ten have their homes in
the country, and never take their
horses to Paris. Therefore Monsieur
de Merisi, Immediately after his arri-
val, went to see barley to engage
coupe.
After the usual salutations, the fol-
lowing dialogue begun:
Well, barley, | want a handsome
coupe, with one horse how much will
it be ~
"What will the amount of work be,
sir ?''
" Oh, not very much. never want
it before five in the afternoon. l pay
a few visits, and take a drive in the
park. In the evening want it to take
me to the theater, OF home from the
club.
barley refectively scratched his
head.
"WeIl, how much month do you
want for it ~
Hum-let me see. For a new
coupe and good horse, in May, the
busiest month-seven hundred and
fifty francs is cheap"
"What from five O'Clock to mid
night or one O'Clock in the morning ?"
"You must remember that during
the remainder Of the time can't use
either the coupe or the horse"
"Well, let It's say seven hundred
francs that's handsome pay for SO lit
tie work.
"All right,' grumbled barley.
"Same place, suppose ?"
g Yes.''
"Well, I'll send it round to-mor-
row."
An hour later barley received, with
the utmost respect, another important
customer, Madame de Belroy.
"Well, madame what can I do for
you ? Carriage, ell ?" Well, let me
recommend a landau--in that, madame's
toilet can be seen to the best advan-
tage."
"No, sir; as you see, l am yet in
mourning and came to Paris only to
settle some affairs.''
But madame will pardon me if l
say that in coupe her beauty"
"No, Monsieur barley, am a wild
Ow, and live retired. 1 want a car
riage only for my shopping and such
things coupe will do me-a simple |
coupe with one horse elegantly hued,
but dark. How much will it be per
month ?''
That depends upon the work"
"Oh, it will not be much. AT nine
O'Clock drive to mass after break
fast | shall have calls to make and |
shopping to do at three O'Clock shall
drive home. That is all, for never 60 |
out in the evening""
Well, madame, during May, our
busiest month, the price is seven hun
dred francs a month, y
"Too much, think. It seems to
me that six hundred francs -
"Come, madame, l have just what |
will suit you; something very elegant,
but quiet lined with silk
you tempt me. Well, be it so.
Send it round tomorrow morning"
And 50 it happened that Monsieur
de Merisi and Madame de BeIroy had |
the same coupe by the month.
The gentleman found this out soon.
One day he saw in one of the coupe |
pockets note book, with gray enam-
eled cover and gold border, in which |
we're several cards. On the back Of |
one Of these were memoranda, such as
calls to be made, impressions, reflec-
tions, etc. He examined a card, and |
read on one side " Madame de Bel
roy" On the other side, in a delicate
feminine handwriting, were penciled |
some appointments, ending with At |
three O'Clock, Julius"
The coupe stopped at the club.
She must be a saint, thought |
Merisi; but who the deuce is
Julius P''
He then replaced the note book
where he had found it, and, aIighting,
said to the coachman
Someone has left note book in the
coupe. Consequently someone must
have used it."
The coachman's confusion showed /
him that he was not mistaken. The
name of Madame de Belroy was not |
unknown to him, but he had lived SO
long away from Paris that he couldn't
remember who she was. As soon as
he entered the club room he sought for
information.
"DeBassino,'' said he, edo you
know Madame de Belroy p