Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-20
THE AMBER SCsRF-PIN.

The scarf or cravat-pin which had such
an effect upon my destinies, otherwise fated
to be humble, unadventurous, and obscure,
was a small drop of amber set in gold
mounting of somewhat fanciful design. In
side the amber was tiny insect, of the
kind which Partisan jewellers made fash
ionable few years ago, as fetIshes, under
the name of cri-cris."
About six months ago left England for
France in singularly happy mood. l had
just become engaged to a charming girl,
and the object of my visit to Paris was to
purchase, as presents to my bride, guam
tity of those articles so delightful to the
fair sex, which Paris alone produces. If |
had contented myself with patronizing
British commerce, in the persons of the
West End tradesmen, none of my subse-
quent misfortunes would have happened.
But doubtless also another reason for my
visit to Paris was that Irresistible attrac-
ton which the French city exercises over
all who have passed even a short time
within its walls, an attraction for which no
psychological reason can be assigned, but
which is felt by ALL A great American
statesman once described Paris to me as
the magnet of the world" L come
here every year," said he. am sure
i do not know why"
This attraction had doubtless influenced
me when | decided that my present to
Clara must be bought in Paris. | had lived
in that city some years before, in my young
and Bohemian days, and had had any
thing but good time. My principal
"reminiscences of the gay capital were of
financial difficulties, of quarrels with
tradesmen and hotel-keepers, and of a
number of entirely undesirable acquaint-
ances.
We had had an excellent crossing, and,
after hasty supper at Calais, had got
into first-class carriage in the express to
Paris. The only other occupant of the
coupe was an English jockey, who went to
sleep as soon as he had taken his seat /
hal no such good fortune, as am never
able to sleep while travelling by train, and
had to spend the weary hours as best could
with my thoughts. Fortunately at that
time they were pleasant ones.
At Amiens French gentleman entered
the train and seated himself directly OPP
posite me. He was in talkative humor,
and it was not long before we were en-
gagged in conversation. Five minutes later
he had introduced himself to me as the
Marquis de Kergaradec, and it was not long
before l was fully acquainted with his
opinions on General Boulanger, on Emile
Zola, Sara Beruhardt and the general va
riety of Partisan topics. The Marquis
was an old man, elegantly dressed, and
wearing the red ribbon of the Legion
of Honor. He was going to Paris, he
told me, to be present at the Prix du
Jockey Club-the Blue Ribbon of the
French turf
"That is to say" he corrected himself,
" / am not going to Paris at all, but shall
get out at Chantilly"
81 thought the express did not stop
there" l said
"When one is big shareholder" he
laughed, al a des aocommodements with
the Northern Railway Company"
had laughed at his ready adaptation
of Tartouffe's famous remark, and was
about to say something in rejoinder, when
l noticed that the Marquis expression
suddenly changed, and saw that he was
staring at me in a manner which was al
most offensive. His eyes were fixed on nv
collar
While | was wondering whether any
thing in my linen was exciting the curl
osity and interest of this carefully attired
old gentleman, he bent forward and said,
In quite an altered tone of voice: az beg
your pardon, sir, but what curious scarf
pin that is that you are wearing. Would
Aeha 20 IL
something about being an amateur of Jew
elry.
l willingly complied with his request,
took the pin out ofmy tie and handed it to
him.
He examined it carefully, turning it
round and round. Then he stood up and
held it close to the carriage lamp, mutter-
ing to himself.
At last he handed it back to me with
curt "Thank you," ana changed his place
to the seat in the opposite corner Of the
carriage, vis-a-vis to the sleeping jockey.
1t is a curious pin, is it not ?" / said
politely, though completely mystifed by
his change of manner.
But he made no answer, sitting still and
watching me.
made another attempt to bring him
to explain himself, but finding it impossi-
bic to get word out of him, shrugged my
shoulders and settled down again to my
thoughts.
At Chantilly the train stopped and the
guard came to the door to inform the
Marquis, with much respect, that he had
reached his destination.
81 have changed my mind" said the
old gentleman, & and shall go on to Paris
/ remember | have an engagement at the
Jockey Club"
A minute later the train was dashing
on its way again, and did not stop till we
reached Paris.
l had no luggage beyond hand-valise
and so had not to wait at the station.
jumped into cab and drove off at once to
the Grand Hotel, very anxious to get to
bed. | need hardly say | had long since
forgotten all about my strange travelling
companion. However, half an hour later,
Us | was leaving the bureau of the hotel,
where | had registered my address, to go
up to the room assigned me, | met the old
gentleman again, going into the bureau.
He stared hard at me as passed, first at
my face and then at my pin. | thought it
strange that he should have followed me,
and his persistent rudeness found stranger
still, but had no inclination to trouble
my head as to the reasons of his eccentric
ity, and dismissed him once again from my
mind
At 10 o'clock rose, dressed, and after
the inevitable cafe au idit-that miserable
substitute for an English breakfast-went
down and out on the boulevard to visit the
shops / had determined to patronize As
] passed under the porch of the hotel |
noticed a somewhat disreputable individ-
ual, who seemed to be standing there on
sentry. / noticed him again at the corner
of the Rue de Valmy, and third time, as
/ was crossing the Place Vendome Just
as i reached the arcade of the Rue de Cas-
tiglione the man came up to me, laid his