Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-07
Two Stories Of Dumas.

From the London Globe.
In the preface 10 q new book on sport by the
Baron de voux, Alexander Dumas els tells some
interesting stories Of his father and grand
father .of which we reproduce the following:
Ny father had inherited from my grand
father remarkable strength, Of which I had
the first experience when was fourteen or
fifteen years OF age. One Sunday he had
taken me 10 the Gymnase. At the end of the
play il rained torrents. He moved toward o
fiacre stationed on the boulevard and sig
nailed me 70 follow him. He gave an address
hicle, into which we prepared 20 mount The
coachlnan put his hand on the door, saying;
II don't move q step for less this time thaa
five francs for the Journey"
Will you not mover"
''0nce. twice, thrice" Cabby did not re-
spond, but remained with his hand on the door.
Then my father seized him round the waist,
lifted him up from the ground and planting
him on the seat, said: $50 now" Then taking
ms place in the cab, he said: Bear in mind
always how TO do with an obstinate goodman"
have not forgotten the procedure, but have
never put II in practice-not that cabmen have
become more civil, but that other things are
| different
My father did not seek for opportunities 10
snow his strength, but he rapidly seized them
when they were presented During q journey
We made in the neighborhood Of Lyons in the
year 1889, the conductor of the diligence, by an
ingenious device, induced us all 20 descend at
the loot OF hill, 20 unstiffen our limbs as he
| said As soon the carriage was empty the
driver jumped into his place and set the horses
on at gallop up the hill. leaving us 10 mount
| II on foot Ii had showed the night before,
and, as the snow had melted, we had 10 wade
| through mud The travellers disliked il the
more, inasmuch as there were ladies with them.
Some OF the more simple shouted TO the driver
70 stop, but he went on his way, doubtless
laughing TO himself. You may imagine the
| recrimination of the pedestrians who resolved
to make complaint at the first stoppage.
walked beside my father, who breathed not
walking.
You don't say anything" saidL 1.
mo, but you viii see when we get TO the
| We came there last, and on the plateau,
where the diligence had finally stopped, We
! found the conductor surrounded with COM
planning travellers. He replied to them with
the bantering air of one delighted TO have
played clever trick, planted on his large feet
balancing his head on his broad shoulders
sticking out his great chest, and knocking the
| dehcate-looking townsmen who were too timid
TO show their displeasure in more than words
| MY father politely put on one side with his two
hands those who made a circle around the con-
ductor, and said to him: Then you find this
amusing?" Yes" answered the man. litter
ing. Il did find it funny" He had hardly
| Hnirueu tne WOrus DelOre ne received on the
chest couple Of fist-blows which sent him roll
ing into the mud his feet in the air, amid the
laughter and applause Of the onlookers. He
rose furious and few at his assailant, who
landed a couple more blows which covered the
| nose and mouth of the unfortunate man with
blood. The witnesses of this scene now inter-
posed, ready TO help this ready interpreter Of
| their sentiments; but the driver dried himself
and resumed his seat, not without using Lam
| guage such as was excusable under the circum-
stances. We got into our places again, and my
father was soon TRANQUILITY sleeping his hands
| on a stick which he had left in the carriage and