The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-06-18
BEWARE OF A BANQUETTE.
BY MISS HELEN MAXWELL.

Have you ever taken the night express from
Paris to Marscilles, Will you ever forget thu
bowl of cafe au ldit and the petit pain you 60
at Louis at six o'clock IN the morning!
have O friend whose remembrance OF tina
bowl of coffee will last his lifetime, for-bu
perhaps IL will be best TO commence at the be
ginning and tell you what happened to him
at Lyons. He had had tedious journey from
Paris; had grumbled all night and heartily
wished himself back at the Hotel du Rhin
had called himself fool for ever having quit
ted his comfortable apartments there; and
wondered why he found it impossible to pass
a winter away from Rome.
At Lyons he left the carriage, stamped his
feet on the platform, glanced at the dawdy
looking women as they hurried into the buI
fet; thought it monstrous pity that women
looked so ugly by early morning light, and 80
sauntered in after them, slipped into chair
and began slipping the coffee the busy, white
sproned garcon placed before him. There
was an irrepressible Englishwoman on his
right, and a snuffy old Frenchman on his left
The former was lntently engaged IN strangling
the barks of an Odious little white poodle
which she fondly imagined was hidden under
her cloak, but whose wrigghng tail was dis'
t,nctly visible to all who chose to see. She
was undoubtedly in agony for fear the lynx
eyed guard should discover her pet, tear hlm
from her arms, and ANONYMOUSLY consign
him to the dog box.
NY friend gloomily wondered why it was
that he found himself between snuiiy French
men and irrepressible women, and never by
any chance saw pretty face. He had at that
moment raised his cup to his mouth, and by
some mysterious attraction, which he was able
80, la nlancpi the
table.
Seated directly opposite was fine, blocking
old gentleman of the Sir Anthony Absolute
type-jolly, red-faccd white-whisKered; and
on either side of him sat divinity in gray.
Nv fricnd-Or rather let me introduce him to
you by name, Mr.. George Temple-looked at
one and then at the other but for the life OF
him he could noe tell which was the prettler.
They were very alike-blue eyes, light, brown
hair, little pink mouths, and dimple apiece.
They were dressed in trim, neat travelling
dresses of gray popin leoped over red petit.
coats and wore round hats of gray felt APP
parently they thought travelling all night and
turning out of the carriage at six in the morn
ing to breakfast was very good fun; for they
whispered and laughed behind the old gen
teman's back, and gave curious, amused looks
at the motley crowd around them, and alto
gether, were as charming and bright as if they
had Just GENE in from mornings walk.
Mr.. George Temple thought he had never
seen anything so refreshing; and he remem-
bered with cOntritlon that only few moments
before he had thought that women invariably
looked ugly early in the morning. And he
wished with all his might that his lucky star
would point out way for HIM to make the
acquaintance Of the two opposite.
Sc intent was he in making little plans tor
this, and so intent was the old gentleman IN
drinking his second bowl of coffee, and so in
tent were the girls IN their whlsperlngs, that
they all sprang up at once and IN great
fright, when the courier rushed in and an
nounced, in shocking bad English that they
had not a moment to lose. They all made
quickly for the train; guard took forclble
possession of the old gentleman and one OF the
young ladies, and crammed them into car.
riage where there we're only two vacant seats.
The courier, together with the ladys maid,
were seen hurrying into second-class away
down the line. And there, left on the platform,
looking quite pale with fright, was the other
little divinity. Her papa shouted with all his
might-but in Engish-to be let out. And
her sister wrung her hands and lmplored pa
thetically-in French-for some one to stop
the train. In spite of which the guard, with
the aggravating coolness which distinguishes
guards, deliberately lifted the young lady into
another carriage motioned Temple to follow,
slammed and fastened the door, and the tram
moved on.
Now instead of plying the girl, Temple
was immensely delighted at his own good tor
tune. He took his seat by her side trium.
phantly, and, like a hypocrlte, commenced al
once condollng with her at her separation from
her friends.
"But hope" he SAID, that you will not
fret, for you can JON your party at the next
station, you know"
Thank you 80 very much," was the low
reply. DO yod think that it will be very
lOngw
ooh, no." said Temple probably half an
hour or So" And then he asked her If she
was comfortable If the sun annoyed he
And thousand other questions, to which he
got very few replies. She pulled down her
veil, and sat with her face to the window
waiting impatlently for the next station.
There are not many places more cosy OF
conducive to making cquaintances-such as
| they are-than u Continental railway carriage
Its small size and luxurously -Cushioned seats
the soft rug and chant6 pied make one very
goOd-natured and ready to be agreeable and
amused. To be sure sometimes one fnds
himself thrown with grumpy set. But the
chances are that you happen upon couple OF
pleasant Frenchmen, a garrulous country gen
tleman, and, perhaps, n tall, pale, good-looking
Englshman, and rosy, pugnosed little Ger
man, who will hum airs from the Zauber fitctt
necessarily. AS for women; If they are moi
old maids, or Frenchwomen, you may be sure
they will be nice, A Frenchwoman should
never quit Paris, for 1t is only there that she
| is amablc.
After awhile Temple-getting no response
unless quick, shy little look might be called
a response, from his nelghbor-turned to thu
other occupants of the carriage, and in few
moments was on the best of terms with all o.
them. They were discussing tho last new
opera in the most animated manner, when thu
train stopped
Temple sprang out in moment.
"Sit STILL" said he to his little neighbour a.
she was endeavoring TO jump out after HIM
/ "and | will find vour father and brlnr him Il