Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-11-22
GaIes arr0 Sketfkts.
KIsfRAL: CAsfAWAY.
A REMISIsCENcE OF THE SCHOOL AND
THEATRE OF PARIS.
(Continued from yesterdsy. }

(COntlnued rom Yesterday
..Oh, that will not prevent me from be-
ing exact in my attendance, at rehearsal.
she replied quickly, rosy wave coloring
her cheeks, Eyes; some days feel great
pain in my chest; it seems as If my heart
Is mounting to my throat; it throbs so
loudly that / fancy can hear the Doise OF
fountain when lay my head on the pill
low. Monsieur GARNER does not give any
medicines for that; he only tells me |
must not dance or take fatiguing walks,
and that must live as quietly as posi-
ble."
..And you follow his advice?"
She lowered her head, looked into the
flames with an anguished attempt at
smile, and murmured: when | cam 1t
is the old story of prescribing fruity port
and carriage exercise to paupers.
MY mouth was shut; one cannot make
marvels of economy on salary OF one
franc and sixty confines a day.
thought for a LIoment she was about
TO relate to me the history of her life.
which, I am free t0 admit, might have
destroyed, in all probability, the little re-
Prospective romance had already built
up for her in my mind. did not imagine
her to be the daughter of Colonel, as
suredly; but declined to entertain the
belief that refined looking creature. with
eyes cleaning like carbuncles, such a type
Of nose, and the hands Of duchess, could
be the daughter of a coarse vendor OF
cakes or dame de la Halles
She only told me that she was not
Jewess, as had supposed that her mother
lived near Tours, and that she had already
appear ed on the boards at the Delasse
ments- Comiques and the Luxembourg.
II was Saturday. informed her that
she could come to the theatre on the fol-
lowing Monday to sign an engagement,
and rose to take my leave.
During our conversation the piano had
not ceased playing, and the artistic, under
whose supple fingers the chords were
vibrating, struck up at the moment a
charming melody, which was new to me.
The touch was mastery. and there was a
singular alienation Of the sweet and sor-
rowful, with an odd burst Of what might
be defined as rebellious joy, in the notes.
Seeing that was listening with pleasure
to the musician. she pointed to the ceiling
with a finger, and said:
Ills the Great Green Guzzler.' as We
call him; but his real name is Nabal - a
friend of mine He is Jew. All he
plays is of his own composition. He is a
great artistic, who is without bread three
days ont Of the seven"
betbought me of ladder and trap |
had noticed on the landing coming in.
''How were they able to get piano
through that hole?' said |, puzzled to
solve the geometrical problem.
"They hoisted the case of the instru-
ment to level with the garnet window,
and Nabal, who understands all about the
mechanism of pianos. took the pieces as
sunder and remounted them inside. 1t
was a music publisher he works for lent
him the piano. He used to give a few
lessons month ago but as h, has neither
linen or shoes that can be shown now, he
hardly ever comes down but early in the
morning and after nightfall. The hotel
keeper lodges him for the lessons he gives
his little daughter. Nabal's compositions
are PLAYED in nearly all the cafes con-
certs. but another name is put on the bills.
o. this is an extraordinary career.
The wretchedness of the room | was in
must have been lux Lry to that of the gar
ret. felt nv heart capsized. rs our
sailors say. at what had heard.
"Why," I asked. edo they call this
poor fellow the Great Green Guzzler p"
80. it's the students who come to the
cafe below who gave him the nickname.
because he drinks huge glasses of absinthe-
and water when he is searching tor new
ideas for his compositions.
There was knock at the door as she
finished her explanation.
Come in" she exclaimed.
A pale face. huted with care-worn
wrinkles. and bordered with long black
locks fiat and shiny. was inserted between
the half opened door and the wall.
"Come in. Nabal." said she. rising and
app oaching the new conner.
Excuse me for disturbing you, Mile.
Eva." said the Great Green Guzzler.
throwing in oblique glance of mingled
timidity and defiance in my direction IL
came to ask you to let me write word
on this music sheet"
She took an inkstank and pen from a
drawer and pushed the armchair towards
him but he obstinatelv refused to be
seated, and wrote. on his knees at the
table. a dedication at the top of n chan
sonnette embellished with Autographed
frontispiece.
"Nabal." said Mile Eva, when he had
done, ''will you be good enough to take
my KEY from below this evening and light
my fireP | sha'n't be back till ten; but
1t will be as well if the room gets time to
be warmed before return"
He made sign of the head. which
served both for salute and acquiesence.
and went out. shutting the door behind
him.
While he was writing on his knees.
could only remark the prominent shoulder
blades. which projected under the bleached
texture of his seedy coat, like the pinions
OF two clipped wings. and made one think
of the clothed skeletons in the grotssque
death dances of Holbein. had not the
courage to study the details of his counte-
nance as he retired walking backward.
In the He'll of Misery-if such region
there be-the Great Green Guzzler would
be named Prime Minister, on the strength
of his anatomy. his voice. his gestures and
his paletot.
II asked him to light my fire" said
Mile. Eva, in half-contidential tone.
ITO give him a chance of warming him.
self before he goes to bed. Besides. that
may keep him from drinking absinthe
this evening"
Her visage wore such an angelic ex-
preston of goodness as she spoke that
was half inclined to take her in my arms
>xI <~;,o bar ,.,us;plv L i ar, both oh Ia