River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-01-28
IERHUSBAND

Good Americans. when they lie, 90
TO Paris. Bien, My terrestrial para
disc is Brussels-Les Bruxelles with
lis -ombre glory of medieval grandeur,
relieved bv the flashing brilliancy of
CAV bou,iques; is host of warriors in
dazzling uniforms; its capoted priests;
its round-armed Flemish BONES, he
meath whose abbreviated petticoats the
little feet, shod in wooden sabots, pat
ter merry music on the pavement.
This biiou Paris is a dream to me
gloriied by the remembrance that
here | fell down metaphorically and
worshipped one of the sweetest ideals OF
womanhood, painters brains could pic
ture-Maria Wigson.
l grant that Maria is not q romantic
name: that Wigson does not suggest
poetic surroundings aud blue-blooded
refinement; but, bless you. that tall
graceful girl with the dreamy brown
ewes. would have double-dIseounted
in match for queenly beauty the
proudest princess in ChrIstendom.
l sat opposite to her one fatal day at
the table d'hote of the Hotel DE Eu-
rome. and forthwith collapsed. with
out an effort to save myself from my
fate.
Before the fish and soup were re-
moved. | felt TIE influence OF her
presence; with the intrements | reached
a seventh heaven of alteration; and
when the tasse of black coffee with n
dash Of cognac in it arrived. l laid the
last fragment Of my shattered heart
a willing sacrifice at the shrine of her
incompatible loveliness.
You may think that Ipossess rather
gushing, sroony temperament; but
YOU never knew Maria Wigson. 50 |
forgive the ha,ty insinuation.
But had for a time to conhne my
expression OF admiration to tender
giances. for my divinity was hedged in
bv an insurmountable barrier in the
shane Of a father and mother who
were. without exception, Che stiilest.
starchest specimens Of British snob-
acracv it was ever my lotto meet.
More unmeetable than icebergs. they
:rcwned down every approach on my
part wi:i. IN "aughty haspcct" that
disdaiued to sefaps acquaintance with
4 moor devil Of wandering Yankee
journalist.
To no purpose I bribed the head
waiter to seat me next TO my idol at
the liuner-table. | could not find pre-
tenca or screw mp courage for word.
Now. Oh the Montaigne de Ia C@ur.
the State street of Brussels. there is
or was twenty years ago-acigar-store'
with an inner sauctum called n divan,
the admission to which was only OBJ
tanned by introductiOn-a kind OF
club. where travellers met for gossip.
II was much effected by Englishmcn,
a all the London dailies and alleged
humorous journals We're on file there.
One day was issuing from this tenn
pIe Of Nicotes, and had just stopped TO
lioht NV cigar st torch held by a
brou.-s image cf Cupid near the door,
when my aeSd came in contact with
that of a Young man .bom had not
noticed. but who at the same mOnis-..
sant forward with similar intent
1 arologizcd.
"Ahr no said. speaking with a
slight French accent. 1t Is nothing.
Monsieur is an Englisman, presume2
80 I replied, with a smile.
..Indee,l You speak the language
very well for foreigner, ne added
obviously.
There is another land than England
where that language is spoken. In the
States we tEiak that
%. YOU ara al z ulerican? he inter
rupted. Il ana reaiiy glad to meet
YOU. 4 few years ago ! was for
short time in your land.
As we were talking. we driited III
III. hin towards the park.
lie spoke WITH animation concerning
what he had seen in my country, and
7 saw that he bad been a keen observer
I While generally complimentary. hi,
remarks were sPicsd with running
criticism. which was Cften based on
. erroneous impression. and under whose
ascericism WINGED, especially as AG
/ had an oif-hand manner of opposing
my remoustrances with a shrug Of the
: shoulders. which meant so much, but
was unanswerable.
But. when he came to decry my type
3 Il al human perfection, the American
! q;Ti. fairly boiled with Indignation
1 He granted that they. my country
women. were pretty. vivacious, fascin
atiuc. but in The same breath claimed
that they were artificial ID manner ans
unballasted with the home-loying sir
sue of the European maiden.
Il found them charming. he said
frankly. "but superficial and with ~
undue appreciation Of rank ant
riches.
..Sir.'' / said sodiEnantly. I'VE are {
democratic people. i there Is on,
thing on which we pride ourselves
more than another. It Is the simplicity
% our social institution. Rank has nC
esteem with Us; and. as for education
our girls enjoy the same privileges q!
eur bOvs-the BEST that modern
Thought can methOdIze.
His exaspsrating answer was shrug
I | could have strucR him; but. after all
YOU cannot very well knock msI
down for simply humping his shoulders
Pardon ME, monsieur, L said hotiy
"Ioz have never met the best type o