Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-16
MOUGILET'S VISIT.


Ansiers, Maison and Passy each had its
habitues and admirers, who spoke warmly
OF the advantages Of these celebrated
places, so dslig ghtful to those who work
in Paris.
But Father Mougilet would say: "You
are all flock Of sheep with your 'beauti-
full country" and We would answer:
We'll, Mougilet, you never go any
where; you never take all airing" 'Par-
don, said Mougilet, ~ take my airing in
an omnibus When | have taken nv
breakfast at my leisure, over there in tho
cafe, I climb up TO the top Of the Omni
bus, open my umbrella, stir up the
driver, and 10, see many things-mOr.
than you do in all your promenades [
change my quarter, and IL IL as II I had
made a voyage across tho world the
people are SO different in one street from
another. There is nothing moro ainusiug
than to watch the eutresols as We paSS>
the barber, the mOdiste, the wnsLeTwomap
it is a theatre, q true theatre Of nature,
seen by the trut of two horses, would
not give my promenade on the omnibus
for all your promenades in the woods "
To this We answered: "But You have
never tried it--come with Us one time and
seer'
II did try 1t once" replied the old mar; :;
sit was twenty years ago, and 1 have
never tried it again"
Tell us about il. Mougilet."
"As you will; so here it IS: You all
know BOlvin, the old clerk whom we
called Boileau. Well, he WAS my com
rade in the office. The old rascal bad =
house at c., and he was always beg
ging me to come and spend Sunday with
him, boasting OF the jolly time we would
have together One day concluded to
accept his invitation, and started by the
early train. arrived at little
village, country village, where
one sees nothing, and ended by find
ing myself in q little lane between two
walls, at the end Of which was an old
wooden gate with an iron bell rang,
and waited long time. At last the gate
was opened, and by something that looked
like either q woman or a monkey, | could
not tell which. II was old and ugly and
wicked, and covered with dirty clothes
It had feathers in its hair, aud looked a.
il il would devour me
What do you WANT" ID demanded.
"Mons. Bolvin."
"Whst do you want with MsnA Dol-
VIM
l felt Ill at ease before the Interroga
tions OF this old fury, aad staIas.sred: Z:
"He expects mer'
"Ah, it is you," she replied. "who hsve
como to breakfast
mumbled a trembling YES" Then
she turned toward the house and cried u
q harsh, croaking voice: "Bolvin. here II
your man.
Il was the wife Of my friendl
Little Bolvin soon appeared at the door
OF q little plastered hut covered with zinc,
so small that 1t strongly resembled = fsot
stove. He had ON white cotton trousers
and Q crushed Panama After shaking
hands he took me into what he called his
garden. Il was . square Of ground about
a. big as pocket handkerchief, and sss
rounded by houses so high that the SUE
resched il only for an hour or two during
the day. Some pansies, pinks, wall now-
ers and rose bushes struggled 70 grow al
the bottom of this well, without air and
as hot as a furnace from the reflection VI
the roofs.
"I have no trees" said Bolyin, "but
the walls Of my neighbors take their place, ,
have shade as il were in q wood "
Then be took me by the buttonhols and
said, in low voice:
"You will do me . great fayor-you
saw the citizeness-she Is not handsome
To-day, as I have invited you, she has
given me my clean clothes, but II spot
them there will be the devil to pay. So l
count upon you to water my plants"
consented, took of my coat, rolled up
my sleeves, and began to turn the arm Of
an old pump which whistled, wheezed and
ratified like a consumptive, bringing q
stream of water the size Of my little
finger; It took me ten minutes to fill the
watering pot. was all in a perspiration.
Bolyin directed me: Here, this plant-a
little more-that's enough-now, this
one" The pot leaked in a perfect stream
and my feet received more water than the
plants. The bottom Of my trousers were
soaked and thick with mud. Twenty
times at least / recommended, rewet my
feet, reperspired, in trying 10 make the
old pump go; and when, completely eK
hausted, ! wished TO stop, Bolvin took me
by the arm supplicatingly and said: ''one
more potful only one and it is done.
And when it was finally done, as a
reconIpense he gave me rose, great big
rose. But had scarcely touched my but
tonhole before all its leaves fell of, leav
ing only as q decoration a little green
pear rs hard as a stone. said nothing.
but | was astonished.
The far off voice Of Nine. Bolvin was
now heard:
"win you come when one tells you al!
is ready!'
We approached the footstove II the
garden was full Of shade the house was
full Of sun, and the second oven Of the
baker was cooler than the sale a -mangsr
Of my friend. Three plates fanked by
pewter forks, badly washed. appeared on
a table of yellow wood, in the middle Of
which was an earthen dish containing
some builed beef with potatoes warmed
over. We began to eat. A great carafe
OF water, slightly tinted red, caught niy
eye.
Bolvin, confused, said to his wife: "Say,
now, my dear, for this occasion couldn' I
you give US a little pure wine'"
She frowned furiously: $50 that you
could get drunk, both Of you, and stay
here guzzling all day-no, thank your
Bolvin said no more.
After the ragout she brought another
dish Of potatoes, made up with bacon, and
when we finished that she said: THAT I,
all-you can go now" Bolvin looked al
her stupefled.
"But the pigeon, my dear; the pigeon
saw You pluck this morningt"
She placed her hands upon her hips.
"You have not had enough, suppose.
Because you bring some people here that
is no reason why you should deyour every
thing in the house! What would l eat
| this EVENING"
We got up. Bolvin took me by the ear
as we went ont. "Wait for me a min