The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-03-04
Forgot His French.

At one Of Mile. Bernhardt's receptions
in this city, says the Boston Journal, a
young Bostouian found the way open to
an introduction, which he had eagerly
desired. In order not to appear too pro-
vincial he called on a friend, slightly
vOrsed in French, to acquire informa-
ton regarding the department usual on
such an occasion. "Well," said his
friend, when you are introduced you
will bow and smile, and withdraw. II
you see fit you al say, 'Mademoiselle,
j'ai phonneur de vous salue." "Yes,
that's i'll want TO say something. 1t
would be SO stupid to walk up, take a
look and back out without saying a
word" at would please he lady to
hear herself addressed in her native
tongue" Splendid" added the pupil,
"but what does the lingo mean that
you mentionF" "That you are glad to
see her in Boston, and salute her in the
name of the people. Splendid" re-
joined the novice, you just write it
down and I'll commit it TO memory"
For the rest of the day the studious
young man might have been seen in the
horse cars and at his place of business
scanning with great care a bit of paper
which he took out 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 exclaimed,
BENJAMIN, jay rhonnor de VOC salue.'
lie like The sound of his own salutation
so well that almost involuntary he ejacu-
lated, Park street Church, jay rhon-
nor de VOC salue," and as he looked up
at the State House he bowed and whis-
pered, "Gilded dome, jay rhonnor de
Gus salue.n AS he left his aged moth
er and spinster sister after dinner to
perfect his toilet he addressed his rela-
tives with GOOD evening, jay rhonnor
de YOU salue."
That the immediate members 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 it was in crossing the Public
Garden that young Bostt n wentthrough
his grand dress rehearsal. He looked at
the Ether monument in the distance,
and at once imagined that it vas the
Bernhardt. He approached gracefully,
took off his hat, and in melliluous tones
exclaimed; "Mlle. Bernhardt, jay
phonnor de vous salue." He was so
well satisfied that he concluded hat
nothing more could be done in the way
of preparation, and he walked boldly to
the encounter congratulating himself
that Boggs would ole of envy when he
heard of this graceful little speech, and
already in imagination he was basking
in the smile of the great actress.
1t was some time after the reception
uuu OOLuuuSIOCu buub IO bOOh blc hIul vi
his frien who was to honor him with
IN introduction. As he approached the
actress, sculptor and painter he felt a
weakness in his knees. The room ap-
peared to be turning round while the
phrase which he had imprinted on his
memory became a mass of words With
out meaning. He heard his name pro-
L.ounced rs if it were some other fellow
who was being introduced, and he felt
that this other fellow made q bow and
said: MANS elle." He knew the other
fellow broke down. He heard the
voice mentally but the words were I'M
uttered. He retired, seized his coat and
in the cool air Of that winter evening he
wendell bis way home. AS he passed
the statue of Washington on horseback
he looked up and remarked: George,
| have n ade an ass of myself" In the
dim moonlight of a leaden sky he
thought he saw the horse whisk its tail
and from the brazen lips of the great
captain came forth in thunder tones:
''J'ai lnonneur de YOU salue."