The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-03-24


sewers with dogs as fierce as tigers-san-
culinary encounters at night in the most
dangerous quarters with ruffians and
aose-esters-were the most Insignificant
episodes Of his nightly career. Nor do I
dare relate other adventures Of . more
intimate character. from which. a. the
writer's Of an earlier day would say in
noble style. a pen the least timOrous
would recoil with horror.
However painful it may be % confess
an unworthy sentiment. I am obliged TO
say that my admiration for Meurrrier was
not unmixed with regret and bitterness.
perhaps with envy But the recitation
Of his most marveloug exploits had never
awakened in me the least feeling Of in
credulity. and Archille Meutrier easily
tooknis place IN nv mind among heroes
and demigods, between Roland and
Pirithous.
At this tine was great Eanderer IN
the suburbs. and 7 occupied the leisure Of
ny summer evenings BY solitary walks N
those distant regions. as unknown 20 the
Parrisns Of the bOuleTards IS the cOun-
try Of the Caribbees, and Of whose SOM
Der charm I endea7ored later 20 tel IN
verse.
An evening IN July, hot and dusty, at
the hour when the first gas-Eghts we're
beginning 20 twinkle IN the misty twl-
light, was walking slowly from Vaugi-
rard- through one Of those long and de-
pressing suburban streets lined on each
side BY houses Of unequal height, whose
porters and portresses IN shirt sleeves
and calico sat on the steps and imagined
that they we're taking the fresh ar.
Hardly anyone passing N the whole
street; perhaps a mason, white with
plaster. 4 sergeant de vile, q child carry
ing home a four pound loaf larger than
himself. OF a Young girl hurrying On IN
hat and cloak with leather bag On her
arm, and every quarter hour the half
empty omnibus coming back 20 its place
Of departure with the heavy trot OF its
tired horses.
Stumbling now and then On the pave
ment, for asphalt Is an unknown luxury
IN these places. I went down the street
tasting all the charms Of 4 stroller. Some
times 1 stopped before IN enclosure u
watch through the broken boards the
fading glories Of the setting sun. and the
black sIIhouetres Of the chimneys thrown
against a greenish sky. Sometimes
through an open window on the ground
floor I caught sight Of an interior. pictur-
esque and familiar; here q jollv-lOOkIng
laundress holding her fat-irOn 20 her
cheek; there Eorkmen sitting at tables
and smoking IN the ground floor Of a
cabaret. while an old Bohemian, standing
before them. sang something about
liberty, accompanying himself on an old
guitar.
Suddenly I stopped
One Of these personal pictures had
caught nv eve By It's domestic and charm
ing simplicity. She looked 30 happy and
peaceful in her simple little room, the
dear old lady IN her black dress and
Widows cap, leaning back N an easy
chair covered with green Utrecht velvet.
and sitting quietly with her hands
folded on her lap. Everything around
her was 80 old. and seemed % have been
preserved. less through a wise economy
than on account Of hallowed memories,
since the honeymoon with monster OF the
high complexion. IN a frOck coat and
lowered Eaistcoat. whose oval craEon
oruameuted the wall By two lamps on
the mantel shelf every detail Of the old
fashioned furniture could be distin-
guished, from a clock on a dsh Of arrIh-
cial and painted marble % the Old and
antiquated piano. on which. without
doubt, as a young giri. with leg Of mutton
sleeves and with her hair dressed a Ia
Grecque she played the airs Of Romag-
nesi
Certainly loved and only daughter
remained unmarried through her atfec-
tion for her mother. pi0usly watched
over the last years Of the widow. L was
she. 7 was sure. who had 50 teuderiy
placed her dear mother. she who had put
the ottoman under ler feet sne who had
placed her near the Inlaid table and ar
ranged OF Il the water and rwc cups
expected already % see her coming IN.
carving the evening coffee. the sweet,
calm girl. who should be dressed N
mourning ike the widow and resemble
her very much.
Absorbed By the cOnremp plaCOn OF
scene 80 svmparherIc. and By the pleasure
Of imagining that humble poem re-
mained Standing some steps from the
ouen window. sure Of not being noticed
IN the duskv street, when saw door
omen and there eappeared-0h how far he
vas from nv thoughts ar thar moment
nv friend Meurrrier himself the f1rmid-
able aero Of rilrs on the river and rays IN
unknown places.
A sudden doubt crossed ne. Ifelr that
I was or 4 point Of discovering q m7s
rerv
II vas he indeed His terrible hairy
hand held q -in7 silver cufee-pot. and
h. was followed bv a poodle which
greatly embarrassed his sJeps-a valiant
and classic poodle the poodle Of blind
players. poor beggar.s poodle
& poodle clipped Ike a lion. with hairy
--Ifffes on his four paws. and a white
nusracae ike a general Of the gymnase.
Mamma. said the giant IN a tone Of
.aefs5le tenderness. here Four coffee
[ am sure thar YOU VIII ind It nice To-