Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-07-12
DAILY POST UiELLlGEIOER.
axxEsr.MTNDEp PEOPLE

UAUI Iu0Is IN 460u4o00VoAs
A1sExT.MIxDEB PEOPLE
An amusing instance of absence Of
mind In recorded by that indsfstI gable
chrunicier, Tailemsnt des keauxr II Ills
notice of Madame de Rohau, mother OF
the 6rxt duke of that name. Who Was %
deplorably subject 10 distractions as
10 furnish continual entertainment both
20 court and city. Paying a visit one
DAY. acc Jmpanied by lady friend 10
II. Deslandes, a grave legal functionary,
and being told that he was expected
home shortly, she decided On awaiting
his return, and meanwhile installed
herself comfortably IN his usual sitting
room, where, according to her usual
custom, she fell into reverie and IND
aQined that she had never left her own
house. On the arrival of the nagls-
trste, half an hour later, shs reserved
him with the respect due TO 90 disfln-
0uished a visitor, aud insisted on his
dining with her and her companioni
vhereupsn IL. Deslandes, whose ordi-
nary fare was of the simplest, sent his
servant 70 the nearest cook shop IN
quest of a supplementary dish or two,
Ia henor of the occasion. When the
dinner, such az Is was. made It's ap-
psaranoe, Madame de Bohsn, still fan
ewing herself 70 be the hostess, glanced
disparaqingly at the meaQer repast and
apolo2ized for its insLfhciency 10 her
supposed guest, observing that he would
probably have dined better at home.
Fearing that abe might continue IN
similar strain. her friend quietly asked
her IL she knew where she was; and,
this bringing her 70 her senses, she
euddenly recollectsd that she had al
ready accepted an invitation elsewhere,
and hurried away without y0uchsanng
another word to the astonishsd ID.
Deslandes, leaving him to enjoy ms
improvised banquet az best he might.
The Duke de Chevreuse, son Of the
oelebrated Marie de Rohan, was by no
means exempt from she family failing.
While staying at his country-seat. Vau-
creason, he was informed, early one
morning. that his intendant, M. Sconin.
was waiting by appointment to see him;
and, icing at that moment engaged with
his correspondence, sent word TO his VS.
ftor that IL he would take turn In the
garden, he would be ready TO receive
him in half an hour; and, this done, he
resumed his work and thought no move
Of the matter. Toward seven O'Clock In
the evening NJ. Sconin was again an
nouncod, and this time admitted TO the
presence Of the duke, who expressed his
regret that he had caused him TO lose q
day; . :, ~. ,..., r,o,s.;o,,.,, /. r..
plied Soonin; "havinQ had the honor of
serving you for several years, naturally
imagined that the half-hour you men
toned might be rather long one. l
therefore started for Paris, where ! had
some business 10 transact, dined there,
and have just returned TO receive your
commando"
"Ah, my good Sconin," said M. de
Chevreuse, " / am afraid that You have
had your journey for nothing; for, now
I come to think OF 1t, ! have not the
slightest recollection Of what they
Were."
No one was more distract than La
F0ntsine; no one was less practical in
the management Of his affairs. Not
evsn an important lawsuit in which he
was engaged could induce him to quit
his abode In the country for the purpose,
then universally adopted, of soliciting
the good Offices Of the judges in his ia
v0r, until he received letter from q
friend announcing that the trial was
fixed for the following day. His CORES
pondent at tho same time sent him a
horse, that he might have no excuse for
delay; and, thus provided, the fabulist
started ON his journey. BY the time he
had arrived within three or four miles
Of Paris he had entirely forgotten the
motive Of his ride, and bethought him
self Of paying Q visit to literary col
league residing IN the neighborhood.
Being cordially welcomed by his host,
he remained there all night, utterly OBJ
livious Of his lawsuit and everything
connected with IL. When he awoke,
nsxt morning, he suddenly reoollected
the object Of his expedition; and, taking
leaye Of his hospitable entertainer, he
remOunted his steed and reached the
capital exactly an hour after tho verdict
had been given against him. On being
reproached by his friend for his unpar-
d0nable negligence, he merely observed
that he was perfectly satisfied; for, J"
said he, "now that have lost my first
cause, shall at least have no temptation
10 begin another"
Shortly after the publication of his
fables Il was minated to him that he
ought TO present copy TO the king, and,
acting ON the suggestion, he repaired to
Versailles, where he was graciously re-
ceived BY Louis the Fourteenth, who in
the course Of conversation expressed n
wish 70 see tho work.
Ma fol, Sire" stammered La Fon-
taine, after vainly searching his pockets,
have forgotten 10 bring Il"
During tho long struggle for suprem-
acy between the rival composers, Gluck
and Piccini, tbs latter was presented TO
Marie Antoinette. who. AZ IL we'll known,
was m enthusiastic partisan Of his ad-
versary. Wishing to learn tnc maestro's
opinion Of her vocal talent, she requested
him 10 accompany her on the piano, and.
when too late 10 repair the mistake, dis
covered that In momentary fit OF abb
strackion abe had selected for the display
Of her powers an air from "Aloeate.a
II meyer think Of IL without blushing."
the Queeu afterward remarked TO the
Primes de- Ligne.
A certain great lady, whose absence
Of mind WINS proverbial. happening 70
meet In society young lady who had
1ately Lost her husband. condoled with
hog aympAthcticAlly on her bereAv
ehon, AFTER pause, during which she
lapoed into her accustomed forRstful-
neas, inquired. 10 the stupefaction Of
NJ mouFncr, "Was he the only one, you
hadf"
4 good story Ia told Of n. de Sabran,
the author of some highly esteemed IA
blse, and perhaps the most incorrigible
digknit Of his time. While on a Wait
70 Madame de Stael, al Coppet, he was
In The habit Of indulginQ every day af-
tes dinner In solitary ramble, and one
evsnlnQ remained out Of doors 90 much
longer than usual that his hostess began
% grow uneasy at his ahssnce. At last
heaxyivcd In the most pitiable condition,
splashed from head 10 foot and dripping
vet up 10 tho knee.
"Where In the world have you bcen9''
asked Madame do Stael.
Madame" he replied, with the great
esl calm, 81 have been taking my Gus
tcmary walk
" You must have fallen INTO the water,
she aid. "for your feet are positively
soaked"
"Ouly the dew, madame. assure you.
Inevsr cnce left tho broad alley by the
.ThAt explains the state You ara in. y