Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1890-04-04
THE STRANGE FLUTIST.

ming that light snow carpeted the
roofs of Paris, a closed carriage
rolled along the boulevards, spin
ming ike zebra. 1t was so load.
ed with TRUNKS that you would
have thought an actress Was set.
lug out on journey.
Worse. Within was valetudi-
marian, large and fat, one of those
whom a trifie distur5s, aud who
think their final day of reckoning
is hen they have a cold in the
head. This one imaglued he had
weak lungs. So at the approach
of cold weather he bundled him
self with furs aud fed to Nice.
He was a bachelor. Although
he could have married at any time,
for he had 100000 francs in stocks,
and therefore suited many young
ladies, he had been unwilling tc
dispose of his right hand. Next to
himself, the one he loved best was
his coOk-uOt for herself, but for
her cooking. No one took better
care of No. l. Under no circum-
stances would be have disturbed
l.iseIt to do a favor. He would not
have lent fioe sous to his father in
the street, tor it would have been
necessary to unbuttOn his Overcoat
to take out bis purse.
He was indeed the most cxtrava-
CANT crank to be met with. His
most insignificant acts were on s.
ten; be slept, rose, ate, smoked
and took medicine with his watch
in hand. Many curious stories
were told at his expense. For ln'
stance, be was so nervous, so irrita'
ble, that he detested the songsters
in the courtyards. The porter had
TO dive them away with the broom.
To persons who persisted 10 singing
in the street he quickly threw a
nalf franc on condition that they
would leave. Now, every time the
porter lacked the price Of a drink
he put on false beard and a red
WaistcOat and went under the win
dow, tapping on a pan as prelude
to a dance. Immediately a half
franc was Forthcoming.
The neighbOrs had to hold their
sides, for there are people who can
not help laughing.
At Nice he always put up at the
great United States hotel, where
for fifteen years the same magnih'
cent room, we'll exposed to the sun,
had been reserved for his use. 1t
was the only one he fancied, and
he occupied it until April, 2 at
noon precisely, the hour at which
he set out for Paris.
His name excited mlrth. | will
not attempt an explanation, but
everybody smiled whenever he was
introduced. He was known as NJ
Jaune.
Now NJ. jaime arrived at Nice
the day after Leaving Paris at {
o'clock in the evening. 3e partOok
of an excellent dinner-a boullla
baisse aux langoustes, fillet ma
rine, a quail, asparagus, and bot
tie of Chateau la Rose. With this
he hoped not to die with hunger
Then, after having smoked a good
cigar to settle his coffee and cham
pagne, he retired to rest.
1t was 8 o'clock when he enScOnc
ed himself in bed. He extingu;sh
ed the light, and, stretching him
self out, anticipated sleep like
dOrmOuSe.
But scarcely had he dropped in
ito doLe when a flute was hear(
in the next apartment playing th'
air from Faust:
Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy face :"
The tone was sweet and sllyery
! so the first Impression was charm
IS ing; but the futist cut short th
= = melody at the fourth measure an
Is repeated it several times, the
: rested for FIVE minutes and resume
e. in like manner, stopping at th
70 same point.
ss "What is the matter with him
said Mr.. Jaune to himself.
- The other continued without
sign of trouble.
: At the fifth rehearsal, as there
: nothing so agreeable as not
:, weary IN the end, M. jaime tappe
J: on the partition wall. The flu
a was silent. Satisfied, he took
sS potation from his night table az
:. closed his eyes. IL was 10 o'cloc
m The hotel was almost empty, Il
y greater part OF the guests not ha
: ing yet come IN. Suddenly Il
|: peaceful silence was broken by II
- 6ute.
'Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy face !
NJ. Jaune grew excited.