Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-11
Gales ano Sketrkes.
fnE FoURYEEy.H.

Il SoStbE OfsE doF tAN AA11 80
Lancry. in Paris. my attention was attract
ed by large brass plate affixed to the
door of one of the houses. 1t bore the
following inscription
.AMBgoIsE FoRTIS, FOURTEENTH"
A mysterious profession it seemed to be.
Fourteenth 2" I repeated to myself:
..what can it mean - And walked past
the house several times. musing on the
puzzIing inscription; at last curiosity be-
came so ungoFernable that made up my
mind TO knock at the door. and seek an
introduction TO NJ. Ambrose Forth.
When the servant, in obedience TO my
summons. opened the door. no better for
mula Of inquiry occurred TO me than SIM
ply TO repeat the words interrogatiyely =
M. AMBROSE FogITS. FoURTEESTH?"
HE is a, home from six O'Clock in the
evening till eight" replied the man.
us he always fourteenth ?'' | asked
cooIly.
oh, certainly, Monsieur, always"
said the servant, in the tone of a person
who repels some injurious doubt.
That evening, at six O'Clock, returned
to the house in the Rue de Lancry- The
servant conducted me into an apartment
iuIUl-ut4s OIt atAyiuca III tr
fine engravings-oue representing the
Feast Of Belshazzar. another Camacho's
wedding. and the third the Prodigal Son at
a banquet. ere he wandered forth to feed
swine side door opened, and saw
enter very fine young man. elegantly
dressed He was in the act of drawing on
pair Of pale kid gloves. Bowling grace
fully, he said -
II am ready. Monsieur let us set out,
let Us go 10 dinner"
looked at the engravings. and obeyed
almost mechanically, carried away in
spite of myself by the fashionable cool
ness Of his tone and manner. As soon as
we were outside the door. NJ. Forth said:
The weather is beautiful: If we are not
going Tar. we may rs well walk. Where
are we to dine?'
"At the Cafe de Paris" said /. at ran
dom.
80 much the better. was the reply; 81
detest city ordinary"
hoped that some explanation would
follow, but it did not; and somehow did
not like to ask for il directly. | there
fore contented myself with humming the
opera air. what may this mystery be p
As we walked along. NJ. Forth asked
no questions. He spoke OF the tax on
dogs; of the scarcity of fish since the
opening of the Havre railroad; OF late
importation of Cape ericas, at the flower
market; of NJ. d'Algier's will; of new
painting by Couture; of Dumas's or Bal
zac's last novel In short he discussed all
the topics of the day and that in a very
lively. gay. and pleasing manner. was
Just beginning to think that the mysterious
Fourteenth would turn out to be a news
paper reporter, when we entered the Cate
lie Paris.
Monsieur. said |. "allow me to con-
graduate you on your Partisan erudition
you really speak like walking journal ~
"Ah !" replied he, ''in our profession.
we must know Il little of everything. One
could not be Fourteenth on any other
terms"
Entering the first saloon. selected a
table laid with tow covers, and asked him
to sit down. NJ. Forth looked at me
with surprise. and said.-
where will the other guests sitP"
There are none that know of but our
selves" replied I, taking my place.
"Only two" exclaimed he. drawing
back. ''then there must be some mistake,
and cannot comprehend the object Of
your invitation"
The object of every invitation, Mon
sieur Fortin,-the object of eating your
dinner
He condescended to smile. and seated
himself opposite to me. The mystery had
really become too oppressive and bold
ly sought an explanation. which. in the
natural course OF things, did not seem
likely to arise.
How" said he. laying down his knife
and fork, did you come to me without
knowing my profession? And yet it has
begun to make some noise in the fashion
able world"
We'll Monsieur. can only say that
this noise has not reached my ears"
You are not then acquainted with the
invitation of the Fourteenth ?'
mo. Monsieur Fortin."
THE Fourteenth" said he solemnlv.
supplies desideratum in our social state
A statistical examination proves. that in
Paris invitations to dinner are every day
given with so little forethoughs. that, in
five hundred houses. on an average. guests
TO the fatal number of thirteen find them
selves assembled at six o'clock. What is
to be done Something must be conceded
to the preludices of women; for, let their
superstitious fears be once awakened. and
adieu to the hilarity of the evening. Well,
the Fourteenth is there. always ready TO
break the ominous number A knock
comes TO my door. and follow whittier
am led. without question or delay. For
success in this profession. it is necessary,
however. that the Fourteeth should be talk
alive and amusing, judge both of wine
and wit. ready to take the first and to give
the second. At present, in Paris, there
are but five Fourteenths; yet feel GER
tain our numbers will increase rapidly"
After this satisfactory explanation, NJ.
Forth and enjoyed as pleasant an even
ing as though We had really been Four
teen. At parting. I made him promise
that he would often share and enliven my
bachelors dinner in his own independent