Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-06-01
The Coffee Pot.

Last wear was invited, with .wo of my
studio companions, Arrigo Coi.ic and Ped
rino Borgnioli, to pass a few days at a
country house in the heart Of Normandy.
The weather, which at the time of our de-
parture promised to be superb, changed
suddenly, and so much rain fell that the
roads which We passed were like the bed
of a torrent We sank in mud up TO our
knees, the soles of our boots were clogged
with thick coating of clay and mud, the
weight of which retarded our steps so much
that we did not arrive at our destination
until an hour after sunset.
We were harrassed, and our host, seeing
the efforts that We had TO make in order to
repress our yawns and to keep our eyes
open. had US shown each to our chamber
as soon as supper was over.
Nv chamber was vast: felt, as entered
il. as it were shudder of fever, for II
seemed to me that | was entering new
world. Indeed, you might have believed
yourself in the days of the Regency, to see
above the panels by Boucher, representing
the four seasons, the furniture overloaded
with rocidlle ornaments In the worst taste,
and the heavily carved looking glass frames.
Nothing had been disturbed. The toilet
table, covered with combs, brushes and
powder boxes, seemed to have been IN use
all hour ago. Two or three dresses OF
changing colors, a fan covered with silver
spangles, lay carelessly on the polished oak
door. and to my great astonishment tor
toise-shell snuff-box. open on the chimney
piece. was full of fresh tobacco.
did not notice these things until the
servant, after placing the candlestlck on
the table, had wished me good night, and,
[ confess, began to trem5le like leaf. L
undressed myself promptly, went to bed,
and in order TO have done with my foolish
fears. | soon closed my eyes and turned
NV face toward the wall. But it was i'm
possible for me to remain in this position;
the bed began 10 move beneath me like a
wave, my eyelids were drawn violently
back. l was obliged to turn and see.
The blazing fire cast red reflection IN
the apartment, so that the hgures on the
tapestry and of the smoky portraits which
hung on the walls could be easily dlsiin-
puisbed. They were the ancestors OF our
host. chevaliers swathed in iron, councillors
In periwigs, and far ladies with painted
faces and white-powdered HAIR, holding a
rose in their hair.
Suddenly the fire became strangely
active, a bleared light Illuminated the
chamber: and | saw clearly what L had
taken for vain paintings was reality, for
the ewes of those framed beings began 10
move and to sparkle in strange manner,
their Inns opened and closed like the lips Of
peopIe speaking. But ] heard nothing but
the tick-tack of the clock and the whlstiing
of the wind. An insuperable terror seized
me. NV hair stood on end, my teeth chat
tered nv body was bathed IN cold sweat
The clock struck II. The vibration OF
the last stroke sang long in the ar, ana
when IT died away entire oh!
no! | dare not say what happened; no
one would believe me- l should De taken
for a madman. The candles lighted OF
themselves. the bellows, without any vlsl-
ble beinp touching them, began TO blow
the fire. rafting like an asthmetlc old man.
while the tongs stirred the billets oil wood
and the shovel gathered up the ashes
Then coffee pot bounded from the table
oo which it had been placed, and went
hobbling along toward the fire brands. A
few minutes afterward the arm-chsiis be
gan to move, and, agitatlng Their twisted
feet in a surprising manner, came ana
RANGED themselves around the nre
| did not know what to think OF what l
ssw but what remained for me to see was
still more extraordinary. >,
One of the portraits-the Oldest OF all,
that of a fat, chubby, grey-bearded man.
resembling remarkably the idea had 10
myself of Sir John Falstaff, pushed his
head out of the frame with a grimace, and
after having with great effort, forced hls
shoulders and his fair, round belly between
the narrow gilded border, he jumped down
Neavily. :,
Je had no sooner taken breath than he
drew from the pocket OF his doublet Won-
derfully small key; he blew ON 1t TO see
that the hole was clear, and then appled IL
10 all the frames, one after the other and
all the frames became enlarged, 50 as 10
allow the figures which they contained 10
pass through with ease.
Little doll-like abbes, dry and yellow
dowagers, grave magistrates buried n large
black roques, petits D1Gitres In siik stoch-
inps and prnnello breeches-all these per
sonages presented such an odd spectacle
that in spite of my fright could not heil
angling. These worthy folk sat down;
the coffee pot bounded lightly on the table
They took coffee in cups of blue and white
Japanese porcelain, which ran up sponta
neously from the top of secretary, each
one provided with lump OF sugar anu
little silver spoon.
When the coffee had been taken, conet
Dot. cups and spoons disappeared all a
once. and conversation began. Sootn u
say. it was the most curious conversation
that have ever heard, for none OF thes'
strange takers looked at the Other wnli'
he spoke; they all had their eyes liked upoi
the clock. At last midnight struck,
voice. the tone of which was Identical VIII
that of the bell of the clock, was hear'
saying:
This is the hour; We must dance.
All the assembly arose The arm cnsir
drew back of their own accord: then eaci
cavalier took the hand of lady, and TN
same voice said:
"Come, gentlemen of the orchestra
begin!"
forgot "a say that the subjects OF tn
tspes,Y wefe, on one side an itaiian con