The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-23
Z STRANGE FLUTIST.

IE STRANGE FLUTIST.
January, on the first evening that
now carpcicl the roofs Of Paris,
arriago rolled along the bouleyards
like zebra. 1t was so loaded with
trunks that you would have thought an &C
trcss was setting ont on a journey.
Worse. %Within was valctudinarian. large
and fat. one OF those whom trine dis'urbs,
and who think their final day Of reckoning IS
Bear when they have a cold In the head. This
one imagined he had weak lungs. SO at The
approach Of cold weather be bundled himself
with furs and fed % Nice.
He was bachelor Although be could have
married ri any time. for be had 100 900 francs
in stocks. and therefore suited many young
nadics. he had been unwilling 10 dispose Of his
light hand. Next 70 himself, the one be loved
was his cook-uot for herself. but for her
4. No one took better care Of No !.
circumstances would ne have dis
49, himsblf 70 do a favor. lie would not
I've lent FIVE sous 10 his father in the street,
,r Il would have been necessary 90 uubutton
Is ovcrcoat 10 take out his purse
III
to be met with. His most Insignificant acts
were on system; be slept, rose, ate, smoked
and took melicinc with his watch IN hand
Many curious stories wers told at his ex-
pcnse For instance. he was so nervous SD
irritable that be detested the songsters in the
courtyards The porter had TO drive them
away with the broom. To persons who per-
sisted in singing in the street be quickly
threw half franc on condition that they
would leave. Now every time the porter
lacked the price Of a drink he put on n false
heard and a red waistcoat and went under
the window, tapping on pan as a prelude
10 dance Immediately half franc was
Forthcoming.
The neighbors had 70 hold their sides, for
fhdre are people who cannot help laughing
At Nice be always put up az the great
United States hotel. where for fftesl years
the same magnificent room, well exposed 70
tho sun had been reserved for bis use. IL
was the only one be fancied, and he occupied
81 until April . al noon precisely, the hour ut
which he set out for Paris.
His name excited mirih. / will not at
tempt an explanation, but everybody smiled
whenever he was introduced lie was known
ms VI. jaime
Now NJ. jaime arrived at Nice the day after
leaving Paris at g o'clock ia the evening. lie
partook Of an excellent dinner bouillabaisse
aux langoustes, a fillet marine, quail, as
paragus. and bottle Of Chateau la Rose.
With this he hoped not 70 die with hunger.
-, after having smoked a good ciga, to
bis coffee and champagne, he retired to
Is o'clock when he ensconced himself
He extingushed the light, and,
ing himself out, anticipated sleep like
kcuse.
scarcely had he dropped into doze
flute was heard in the next apart
laying the air from Faust;
Let. Oh, let me gaze upon thy face"
tone was sweet and silvery, so the first
sion was charming; but the flutist cut
he melody at the fourth measure and
ed it several times, then rested for five
Is and resumed in like manner, stop
ht the same point.
What is the matter with him" said M.
lie TO himself
e other continued without a sign Of
ible.
the fifth rehearsal, as thereis nothing so
eable as not TO weary in the end, NJ
he tapped on the partition wall. The
o was silent. Satisfied, he took IA potation
m his night table and closed his eyes. 10
10 O'Clock. The hotel was almost empty,
eiter part Of the guests not having yet
n. Suddenly the peaceful silence was
by the flute.
"i<t, oh let me gaze upon thyraceF
jaime grew excited.
Whowl He is getting 70 be @nuisance.
u. - IttHI die
nth it,
tapped loudly and cried out:
IN you stopl If you don't III gaze
Jon your face pretty soonW
When NJ. jaime got aIHry he forgot tho
ctates Of politeness. There was silence
gain, and he began to get drowsy.
Suddenly:
Let. oh, let me gaze upon thy face"
"Fiel The mean scamp"
He rang for the chambermaid.
"Who is this idiot Of nutist whom have
flor a neighbour he asked.
"a fu;istr she exclaimed, - vacant
air. "Why, NJ. jaime, you are dreaming.
The chamber is empty"
NJ. jaime dared not reply. The surmise
obtruded itself that perhaps he was beginning
TO have delusionS. Besides, 50 long as the
chambcrmaid was at hand the futist could
not be heard. But scarcely was she gone,
, crack:
\ let. oh. let me gaze upon thy facc!"
And 80 on about once a minute. Nj. Jauno
foundered about and sank under the bed COW
frings exhausted.
At Il o'clock he heard some one enter.
Under tho partition door be saw CLEAN OF
]iaht. He heard the ruStling Of garments
: and preparations for bed. Aiterward quiet
>eigned, and be slept, as usual, until the next
pom
On this second day after having taken
ak on the Promenade Des Anglais for
n bath, passed a little time at the club and
ped composedly, be went up to retire at 10
lock.
Ic commenced undressing Suddenly-just
you have 10:
let. Oh let me gaze upon thy face"
Forgetting his grotesque appearance IN his
nightcap. half undressed, he rushed down 20
complain TO the master Of the house.
M. Favioli, why do you furnish lodgings
to'muscal artists In n house which thought
30 commendable"
"Truly. NJ. jaime, do not know what you
mean. beg you 70 believe that have re-
gard enough for my interests 20 refuse those
people
''Then you have one without knowing it
o flutist-at No. 10. next me-
IL beg your pardon. NJ. jaime, at No. 10 is
n most sedate lady, Mime. kissmicouick, Of
The United States, and at No 0is Miss White
rose. OF 1ondou."
II repeat that there is a futist at No. TO-
. PERHAPS the lady thrusts him into the ward
robe when any one goes IN.
Il beg our pardon again. NJ jaime Nine
lKiSmicouicl enjoys an irreproachablerepu
,tation No landlord In Nice would be willing
20 receive doubtful character Nine kiss
lmicouick Is a mature widow IL she hiried
AZ would be seriously and as She weighs some