Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-04-21
THE BLUE SATIN SLIPPER.


Leon and his bride were seated in a
compartment by themselves. They
had given the conductor a fee, and
promised themselves solitude on their
wedding journey.
"All aboard ~ shouted the conductor.
Just as the train was about to move,
an elderly man sprang on the steps,
and entered the apartment. The
door slammed, the bell struck, and the
train moved away. Although annoyed
by the intrusion, the young couple con-
tinued their conversation in English,
when they were interrupted by their
fellow-traveler in a much better Eng
lish than their own:
Monsieur" said he dryly, "if you
have any secrets to relate, | would ad-
wise you not to do SO before me in
English, as am conversant with that
language. [ am sorry to intrude upon
you, but this is the only compartment
| could find place in. However, will
try to go to sleep"
And he faithfully tried to do so. But
his efforts were vain, and finally he
drew book from his valise, and began
to read. When he plunged into his
sack he drew therefrom large roll Of
Bank of England notes, and showing
them to Leon asked if he could change
them at the next town. Leon replied
that it was probable that he could do
so, as the road was much frequented
by English travellers.
When they reached the next town
the Englishman descended first After
him came Leon, who endeavored to
conceal his wife's ankles as she de-
scended the steps. Such are young
husbands! Suddenly there darted from
the group of loungers on the platform
young man aa, Of peculiar oappee3arancses
were bleared and bloodshot; his cloth
ing was shabby to the last degree. His
once black coat was buttoned closely
to the chin, probably to conceal the
lack of q shirt. He advanced toward
the elderly Englishman.
Uncle" said he, humbly.
'Is that your" said the other, angrily;
'be off! I don't want to have anything
to do with YOU
Come, uncle" said the other, with
mixture of menace and humility,
"don't be so hard on man."
He seized the elders arm, and led
him aside. After some moments con-
versation the uncle seemed to soften,
and opening his valise gave the other
some bank notes. The nephew de-
voured the remaining roll with his eyes,
and after a curt word of thanks, disap-
peared in the crowd.
Leon and his bride entered the hotel,
and were shown to the best room in it.
Their status as a newly married couple
procured them that honor. The walls
were covered with paper representing
! scenes around Naples. Unfortunately,
! certain idle travellers had added mus
taches to all the female faces, and pipes
to all the male, so the effect was, to
certain extent, lost. The room was
called the "blue room," the furniture
having once been of that color.
Leon ordered dinner to be served in
their room. The difficulty in procuring
it excited his wonder, and on inquiring
he found that officers of the Fifty
second Hussars were giving a dinner to
their comrades of the Sixty-frst Chas-
seurs that very evening, hence the con-
fusion. To his horror he found that
the banquet was spread in the room
Immediately adjoining the blue cham
ber However, there was no help for
It. The host swore by all the gods that
the officers were the quietest men he
ever saw in his life; that-eXcepting
the chasseurs there were no more
lamb-like individuals III the service
than the hussars And besides, they
always rose from the table before mid
night.
As Leon. somewhat troubled in mind
returned to the blue chamber, he no,
ticed that his English fellow traveller
occupied the room on the other side.
The door was open, and through it he
saw the BritOn seated before a bottle
and glass, and contemplating the cell
ing.
"Well, it makes no difference, after
ALL" said he to himself, 1.-The English,
man will soon be tipsy, and the officers
will be gone by midnight"
When he entered the blue chamber
Leon looked to bolts and bars. On the
officers side there was no door, but q
very thin partition.
The young couple had a mediocre
dinner, which they would have enjoyed
more had it not been for the talk O
their military neighbors. The conver
! sation of those gentlemen had nothing
whatever to do with tactics, stra tegy. o.
the art of war in any way. On the con
trary, it consisted of highly-seasoneC
stories. And such stories They were
: followed by roars of laughter, and ever
our friends of the blue room found i
difficult at times to preserve their grav
, ity.
But the stories grew broader, the
, laughter grew louder. From des has
, torres decoLletees they became tOutes nues
. Although he was not prudish, Leo1
thought the situation rather embarass
ing for his bride; and, sending for the
: landlord, he requested him to beg tn,
5 gentlemen not to make so much noise
- as there was on invalid lady in the mex
| room The host entered the hanouet