The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-08-21

to the stable and bring a measure Of
oats. Saint-Vigor himself offered the
oats to the hungry ostrich. The meas
ure disappeared. then the second, then
third, and fourth.
"There are no more, monsieur, said
the gardener. lis monsieur going to
keep thisPn
go and buy moro oats and hold
your tongue growled Saint-Vigor.
The gardener departed. Saint-Vigor
thought of the doctors words.
II must eat oats" he sighed.
He took handful of oats which re-
manned in the measure, and, assuring
himself that no one was observing him,
put some in his mouth.
"They are very dry" he said. MAX
ing wry face.
The ostrich yawned again, showing
the back of his throat. The yawn.
which was protracted, affected Saint
Vigor, who for twenty minutes was
unable to close his jaws.
''He is thirsty" said Saint-Vigor, at
last.
He filled the bucket with water. The
bucket was emptied in the twinkling
of an eye.
II must drink in my turn said
Saint-Vigor, and he drew glass of
cold water which he drank.
'sBrrrrl that is not Cauteau-Larose.
but 1t Is less expensive
The ostrich, tired of standing In the
court, went into the garden. Saint
Vigor followed him. Pausing before
q bed of lettuce the ostrich lowered his
head, and in q moment dozen salads
had disappeared.
| Perhaps it is good for the stomach"
said Saint-Vigor. 81 will try it.
He found the lettuce decidedly in-
sipid without dressing.
Then the ostrich, wandering along
the garden walks, from time to time
picked up pebbles, which he swallow
| ed.
"Demosthenes put pebbles in his
mouth, murmured Saint-Vigor, "but
we are not informed that he ate them.
He picked up email pebble and was
about to place Il in his w. ] .
asssss would be too much for the
first day. | will put it off until to-
morrow
Presently long groan came from
the ostrich.
''He finds it dull here" said Saint
Vigor, with compassion. / will take
him to the grove for exercise.
He opened the gate and looked out.
The gamins had disappeared. The road
leading to the grove of Chaville was
deserted. He got long cord from the
stable, attached 1t to the neck OF the os-
trich, and. leading the huge bird, took
his way to the wood.
Arriving at the grove Saint-Vigor
threw down the cord, allowing the os-
trich to wander at liberty. The ostrich
stretched his neck, inhaled the air
many times, and then lay down in the
grass. Saint-Vigor, faithfully follow
ing the doctors instruction, threw back
his head and took several long breaths,
and then sat down beside the ostrich.
The latter began to crop the grass
about him. Saint-Vigor regretted that
he was not able to do the same, but he
did the best he could, plucking spears
of grass and nibbling them.
Presently the ostrich arose and be-
gan to dance. Saint-Vigor also arose,
and facing the ostrich likewise began
to dance. He was determined TO obey
the doctors orders to the letter.
Those who witnessed the scene have
never forgotten it. The ostrich, with
a solemn air, lifted in turn the right
foot and then the left, keeping time
with the fluctuations Of his long neck,
and every now and then cracking his
jaws together. Saint-Vigor also lifted
the right foot and then the left, timing
his steps to those Of tho ostrich, lean
ing forward and waddling, and now
and then bringing his teeth together
with snap. The dance lasted for
about fifteen minutes. until IL was
brought to an end by the EXPLANATIONS
of crowd Of laughing people. They
were Parisians who had been making
merry at restaurant in the grove.
where they had been INDUCING freely
in champagne.
.'Ho, there, you man with the os-
tricbl' cried one of tho Parisians, "wait
for us. We will all dance a rigadoon
together"
"Hands to the ladicsln exclaimed an
other. 81 will take this pretty waltxer.
by the waist"
He attempted to take hold of thd
trich, but the frightened bird turf ..
and fled and soon disappeared.
"Oh, my remedy my remedyl' ex-
claimed Saint-Vigor, In despair. Then
he rushed of in pursuit of the ostrich,
while the Parisians writhed in convul-
sions of laughter.
Poor Saint-Vigor ran as fast as his
legs could carry him, leaping over
logs, climbing hills, and following cir
cuitous paths. Arriving at Valley he
asked for news Of his ostrich. People
either laughed at him or said they
had not seen the ostrich. Then the
unhappy man took the Chatillon road
and at last arrived at Malabry. There
a gendarme relieved him by informing
him that he had seen a fantastic crea-
ture 60 by, skimming the surface Of
the earth and disappear in the wood OF
Verrieres.
Saint-Vigor traversed the wood of
Vcrrieres, from which he emerged at
Ingy. There he met distinguished
professor, who was taking walk and
who, in answer to his inquiry, said
that he had seen q struthio camelus go
by.
Saint-Vigor FASTENED ON and In
little while reached MAMMALIAN. where
peasant informed him that he had
seen the ostrich pass that place. Then
he proceeded to Saclay and afterward
to Chevreuse. It was evening when
he reached the last-named place.
Saint-Vigor, who was worn out, was
glad to accept poor room in poor
inn, where he ate voraciously Of very
poor ragout. That night 1t seemed to
him that he could see an ironical-look-
ing ostrich dancing the can-can on the