The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1881-02-24
A CLEVER COUNTESS.

A CLEVER COUNTESS.
On the 4th day Of October, 1921
love TO be particular in datSs-a coach
and-six drew up before the shop of the
well known jeweler, NJ. Rue St Honore.
The emipage was covered with pro-
fusion Of gliding and heraldic devices,
and the iveries Of the footmen indicated
high rank in the possessor. The steps
being adjusted, q lady, splendidly
dressed, descended and entered the
shop, where all the attendants, and even
NJ. himself, were profuse In their atten-
tions, anticipating every look and step,
and displaying before her the most costly
diamonds and "pierreries.
The lady, with the most lofty nonchal-
ance, selected Jewels to the amount OF
placed in q casket by the obsequious at
tendants, when, handing her purse to
the jeweler, he found it contained sum
somewhat exceeding 5000, and short
Of the requisite amount. The lady, with
many graceful apologies and q momen-
tary fush of vexation, begged pardon
for the mistake, desired M. to lay the
parcel by uutl she should call again
with the money, and giving her name as
the Countess de L., departed with all the
ceremony and splendor that marked her
first appearance.
The coach passed up the Rue ST.
Honore in the direction of the Barriere
Neuilly, turned by the Place de Louis
Quinze, and finally stopped at the house
of q celebrated physician in the splendid
Rue de Rivoli. The lady alighted here,
and was shown into the presence of the
well known DIR. n, who, arising from
his seat at table covered with anatomi-
cal preparations, saluted her with his
usual courtesy, and begged to know why
he was honored with this unexpected
visit
The lady assuming an air Of settled
melancholy, replied:
81 can hardly command my feelings to
tell You the cause of my unhappiness.
My dear husband, the Comte de l.. =,
during the early years of our marriage,
was all that fond wife could desire; my
slightest word, hint, or sign was sufficient
inducement for him to obtain any object
Of my wishes; but latterly the scene is
changed here her voice became nearly
inarticulate through grief; he has be-
come moody, sullen, and reserved-at
times breaking forth into violent fits of
rage without any apparent cause, thus
making my life perpetual scene Of mis-
cry; In short, dear Doctor, / more than
suspect he Is touched with insanity, and
it is ON his account that now visit you
to obtain your advice which 1 consider
of more weight than that of any other
member Of the profession here the
doctor, much fattered, made low, dis
claiming bow especially as the dreadful
secret has been concealed from all his
family, not even his brothers and sisters
having the slightest intimation of it.
1.-The following circumstance, Doctor,
has especially Influenced my present
visit: My dear husband, the Comte,
wishing to support the honor of the
house, sent me last spring to the noted
jeweler NJ, Rue st. Honore, with q
carte blanche to select ornaments TO
wear at the approaching festival. I at
first hesitated, but finally, urged by his
earnest protestations, went to-day and
chose few, to a triAing amount, more
toplease him than myself, as he delights,
the dear Comte there the lady sobbed]
in seeing me splendidly dressed and sup.
porting my rank. But, from the many
similar instances have observed, have
not the least doubt that, on being re.
minded Of the fact, he will pretend uttei
incredulity, and, on being assured of its
truth, burst into those terrible paroxysm,
which but too clearly indicate the caus
OF his disorder. Therefore, dear Doctor
favor me with your best, kindest advice
and-and-excuse the feelings of wife.
Here the lady applied her handkerche
to her face and was silent
The Doctor, crossing his legs and sup
porting his chin upon his gold-heade'
cane, began to coeitate, with his eve
half-closed and his body inclining for
ward at an angle of forty five degrees.
"Hum-madame, confne him-indee,
we must-a clear case, madame-th
humors, which had they been pituita
or salivary, would have been expector
ated, having become sanguineous an
melancholic, having retrograded upo
the cerebellum-hem-but excuse me
madame, while / make the necessar,
preparations.
SO saying, the Doctor arose, rung
bell, and directed his valet to see hi
chariot at the door, and to order Jean |
porteur and Francois lie cocher to atten
him Immediately, land, bark ye," sal
he In an undertone, tell them to brin
all my apparatus des lunatics, depeche,
and let them follow in nv chariot.
will avail myself of the carriage of th
Comtesse fthe lady made bow of CRATE
full acknowledgement; and be careful {
remain In the ante-room till call aloud.
The servant retired, and in few mir
utes announced everything ready. Tn
Doctor entered the carriage of the Con
tesse; his own chariot followed at shor
distance behind. During the ride h
used every argument to assuage the gris
Of the lady, which would burst forth
times with increased vehemence, unit
the honest "medicin" himself, hardene
as he was to the details of his profession
became affected by sympathy. It tseeme
as il every tranquil moment only ado
ed to the violence of the succeedin
paroxysm.
Passing down the Rue st. Honor
they reached the jeweler M. , before mel
toned, when the lady pulled the strin
Of the coach and alighted. Upon ente
ing the shop she desired M. to take III
packet Of jewels, and accompany her
her coach, assuring him of his pay
soon as he reached the hotel of Il
Comte, adding, with fascinating smil
that he could have no apprehension
since the jewels were still in his keepin,
The jeweler, with a smile of fiattert
vanity, took the parcel into his hand
insisted upon handing Madame Ia Con
tesse into the coach, sprang in himsel
and the coachman swapping his whip, u
equipage rolled magnifcently down Il
Rua 81 Hon0ro