The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-07
THE BLUE SATIN SLIPPER.
FROM THE FRENCH OF PROPER MERxER.

PROM THE FRENCH OF PROSPER MERMEE.
Leon and his bride were seated in com.
partment by themselves. They had given
the conductor fee, and promised them
selves solitude on their wedding journey.
GAN aboard 2! shouted the conductor.
Just as the train was about to move, an
elderly man sprang on the step, and enter
ell the compartment. The door slammed, +,
the bell struck, and the train moved away.
Although annoyed by the intrusion, the
young couple continued their conversation
in English, when they were interrupted by
their fellow, traveller, in much better Eug-
lish than their own
"Monsieur," said no, dryly, "ir you have
any secrets TO relate, would advise you not
to 10 so before me in English, as am con-
vcrsant with that language. am sorry to
intrude upon you, but this is the only com
parment could find place in. How.
ever, will try to go to sleep"
Aud he faithfully tried to do so. But his
efforts were in vain, and finally he drew a
look from his valise and began to read.
When he plunged intu his sack he drew
therefrom large roll of Bank of England
enoles, and showing them to Leon asked if
no could change them at the next town.
Leon replied that it was probable he could
do 81, as the road was much frequented by
! English travellers.
When they reached the next town the
Euglishman descended first. After him
came Leon, who endeavorel to conceal his
wi.e's ankles as she descended the steps.
Such are young husbands! Suddenly
there darted from the group of loungers on
the platform young man of peculiar APP
pearance, lie was sallow and unshaven
his eyes were bleared aud bloodshot; his
clothing was shabby to the last degree Hi:
once black coat was buttoned closely to the
chin, probably to conceal the lack of {
shirt. He advanced toward the elderly
Englishman.
"Uncle," said be, humbly.
ais that you 2" said the other, angrily
"bc oGl don't want to have anything {,
do with YOU
"Come, uncle" said the other, with
mixture of menace aud humility, "dou'
be so hard on a man"
lie seized the elders arm, and led hin
aside. Alter some moments conversation
the uncle seemed to soften, and opening th
valisc, gave the other some bank-note:
The nephew devoured the remaining rol
with his eyes, and after curt word c
thanks, disappeared in the crowd.
Leon aud his bride entered the hotel, an
were shown to the best room in it. The
status as a newly married couple procure
them that honor. The walls were covere
with paper representing scenes around M
pies, Unfortunately, certain idle traveller
had added mustaches to all the iema
faces, aud pipes to all tho male, so the e
feet was, to a certain extent, lost. The rool
was called "the blue room," the furntui
having once been Of that color.
Leon ordered dinner tn be served in the
rom. The difficulty in procuring it excl
cd his wonder, and on inquiring, he four
that the officers Of the Fity-second Hussa
were giving dinner to their comrades
the Sixty first Chasseurs that very eyenin
hence the confusion. To his horror,
learned that the banquet was spread in Il
room Immediately adjoining the blue char
} Der. However, there was no help for
The host swore by all the gods that the {
fcers were the quetest men he ever saw
hls life; that-excepting the chasseurs
there were no moro lamb-like individu'
, in the service than tho hussars. Aud, |
. sides, they always rose from the table
fore midnight.
As Leon, somewhat troubled in mind,
turned to the blue chamber, he noticed II
his English lelow-traveler occupied I
. room on the other side. The door "
= open, and through it lie saw the Brit
seated before bottle and glass, and &C
iemplating the ceiling.
Well, il makes no difference, after al
y said he to himself " the Englishman "
t soon be tipsy, and the officers viii be go
by midnight"
: When he entered the blue chamber lie
) looked to bnlts and bars. On the Engli'
. mans side there was a double wall and
/. door, which he bolted. On the officers 81
a there was no door, but very thin par
ton.
The young couple had a mediocre dim
which they would have enjoyed more
il not been for the talk Of their milIti
ueighbors. The conversation Of those g
tlemen bad nothing whatever u do W
Tactics, strategy or the art of war in a
A. way. On the contrary it consisted Of biz
i ly seasoned stories. And such stories II
n were followed by roars Of laughter, a
even our friends Of The blue room fund
? difficult at times to preserve their gr,.vitl
70 But the stories grew broader, the laugh
grew louder From dss hi'toisss decolis