Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1886-02-01
< AFIsENCHsrAN's TRICK.
Yrotr he nenps = xsoisien asarvest In Nsw
York kIay.

.Iftrle s-r0sss fruucais, aaomsieatr, s'sE
rous plaitg asked i figure that stepped
out from the shadow of tree into the
middle Of one Of the walks in Madison
square the other evening The reporter
said ho did, very little, and then look
ed inquiringly at his questioner.
The latter touched his battered cap In
trsie military style, and then thanked all
fho saints in the calendar that he had
found some one in this forlorn country
who could understand him. He was q
soldier, veteran Of Magenta and Sol
ferino, OF Sedan aud Metz. As he said
this he Strengthened his lean figure,
twirled the long mustache under his
aquiline nose. and drew the stifliy-waxed
imperial through his fingers.
but aow, said he striking his breast,
over which the shabby frock-coat was
buttoned tightly mp under the chin.
.snow. / ana starving sou!
Would monsieur bc nerciful enough to
help an Unfortunate one who had been
yainly looking for work ever since be
came over from Paris. five weeks ago9'
The reporter gave him ii quarter. The
ex-soldier Of Solferino salnted and march-
ed down the path away from the electric
light,
Ten minutes later the reporter was
crossing the square again. As he stop
ped In the shadow of tree to light a
cigar he saw the figure Of the veteran
come up a marrow path and stop in front
Of a lady and gentleman who were ap-
preaching. The same. question which
had been asked before was again asked,
this time with bow in honor of the
lady. The ntlemaneyidently answer
ed i'm the affirmative. for the veteran
launched forth in an impassioned APP
peal I'm French for little money to keep
him from starving The gentleman put
his hand into his pocket, then into the
veterans hand. and then passed on with
his companion.
Hardly had they turned the corner Of
the path when q young man in q bob
tailed oyercoat and very high collar
with the ends turned over doomed up.
The veteran met him as he had the
others The young man in answer to
the question, "Parlcz-rous Francais,
naonsicnrg' stammered out an incoher-
cnt answer, whereat the veteran said in
English that he was ''very hungry, and
then began to recite in French his pitt
able condition. The young man listen
ed as If he understood it all, and then
giving him q half-dollar walked on with
sclf-satisficd smile on his smooth
face.
See here said the reporter stepping
out Of the shadow. ..if you'll tell me how
long YOU have been playing this game,
and how Won dO it, TIL give you half O.
dollar"
The veteran seowled, but as the half
dollar glittered in his questioner's hand
he hesitated n moment and then
laughed.
..Of course you aren't a Frcnchman?''
said the reporter.
oh. yes. surely. monsieur" said the
beggar, earnestly; .sbut ] am not exactly
q veteran. j was q regimental cook
once, but | have lived in America for
five years. Business was dull last SUM
mer and / bethought myself how to
make money. At last had little idea.
Said to myself. everybody admires be-
ing thought to speak French, and If !
can make myself flatterer to their van
ity they will pay for it. So came out
one right and began, just as l asked
you tonight. .Bariez-U0as Fyanc0is,
monsiestg, s'n Cous 9,loitr It is certainly
not every gentleman | meet who will
stop. but the great number do. II they
are with ladies they are more sure to
stop minute and let me tell them my
story, for in that way they make an i'm
preston on the fair one with them.
Many a one does not understand the
Ia "A <s4,a - and 80 ha Lna;fa4n0 Tshazs I