The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-07-22
Select Story.
THE STORY OF A COUPE.

Every one in Paris knows barley, the
livery stable keeper His establishment is
now half a century old, and he furnishes
the Faubourg St. German with all the
carriges they hire. Many of the upper ten
have their homes in the country, and
never take their horses to Paris. There
fore, Monsieur de Merisi, Immediately
after his arrival, went to see barley to
engage coupe
After the usual salutations, the follow
ing dialogue began:
"Well, barley, l want handsome
coupe, with one horse now how much
will it be?"
"What will the amount of work be,
sir ?"
"Oh, not very much. / never want it
before 5 in the afternoon. pay a few
visits, ,and take drive in the park. In the
evening l want it to take me to the
| theatre or home from the club
Darley retlectively scratched his
| head.
"Well,h much a month do you want
for it?"
''Hum-let me see For new coupe
and a good horse in May, the busiest
month"; 80 francs is cheap"
"What! from o'clock to midnight or
l o'clock in the morning?"
"You must remember that during the
remainder of the time cant use either
the coupe or the horse"
"Well, let us say 700 francs; that's
handsome pay for so little work
| "All right" grunbled Darley. "Same
place, | suppose"
"Yes."
"Well, I'll send it around to-mor
row."
An hour later barley received, with
the utmost respect, an important custo-
mer, Nine. de Belroy
| "Well, madame, what can | do for You?
Carriage, eh Well, let me recommend "A
landau-in that madames toilet can be
seen to the best advantage"
"No,sir; as you see, | am yet in mourn
ing,and came to Paris only to settle some
affairs"
'But madame will pardon me if say
that in a coupe her beauty"
| "No, Monsieur Darley, | am widow,
and live retired. | want a carriage only
for my shopping and such things; coupe
with one horse, elegantly lined, but dark.
How much will it be per month";"
"That depends upon the work
| "Oh, it will not be much. AT 0 o'clock
| | will drive to mass after breakfast
| shall have a call to make and shopping
to do; at 3 o'clock | shall drive home
This is all, for never go out in the
| evening"
"Well, madame, during May, our bust
ness month, the price is 700 francs a
| month"
"Too much, think. 1t seems to me
that 600 francs"
"Come, madame have something that
| will just suit you; something very ele-
giant but quiet lined with silk"
"You tempt me. Well, be it so. Send
| it around tomorrow morning"
And so it happened that M. de Merisi
and Nine. de Belroy had the same coupe
by the month. .I. ,...tt
The gentleman found this out very
soon. One day hesaw in one of the coupe
pockets notebook with gray enameled
cover and gold border, in which were
several cards. On the back of some of
these were memoranda, such as calls to
be made, impressions, reflections, etc.
He examined card and read on one
side;
MADAME DE BELROY.
On the other side, in delicate, femin
inc handwriting, were these penciled
lines
After Mass to the Sisters.
Then to the Mission for the Poor.
| AT half-past II, my lawyer
Then to the cemetery.
| Then to St Thomas Church.
AT 2 o'clock to see grandmamma.
AT 3 o'clock, Julius.
Now l feel that he is mine.
The coupe stopped at the club,
"She must be saint" thought Merisi
''but who is this Jaliusl"
lie replaced the notebook where h,
had found it, and, alighting said to tn,
coachman;
"Some one left a notebook in tn,
coupe. ConsequentlysomeOn one mast have
used it.
The ooachman's confusion showed
Merisi that hs was not mistaken. III,
name OF Mime dc Belroy wasnot un