The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-02
A MYSTERIOUS FLUTIST.;
How M. james Temper Got Him
Wife and a Stuffed Bird.


that light snow carpeted the roofs of
Paris, closed carriage rolled along the
boulevards, spinning like a zebra. 1t
was so loaded with trunks that you
would have thought an actress was set
ting out on a journey.
Worse Within was a valetudinarian,
large and fat one Of those whom tride
disturbs. and who think their final day
of reckoning is near when they have a
cold in the head. This one imagined
he had weak lungs. So at the approach
of cold weather he bundled himself with
furs and fed to Nice.
He was a bachelor. Although he
could have married at any time, for he
had 100, 900 francs in stocks, and there
fore suited many young ladies, he had
been unwilling to dispose of his right
hand. Next to himself, the one he
loved best was his coo1-not for herself,
but for her cooking. No one took better
care of No. l. Under no circumstances
would he have disturbed himself to do
favor. He would not have lent five sous
to his father in the street, for it would
have been necessary to unbutton his
overcoat to take out his purse.
He was indeed the most extravagant
crank to be met with. His most insig-
nificant acts were on system; be slept,
rose, ate, smoked and took medicine
with his watch in hand. Many curious
stories are told at his expense. For in
stance he was SO nervous, so irritable,
that he deteSted the songsters in The
court-yards The porter had to drive
them away with the broom. To persons
who persisted in singing in the street he
quickly threw half-franc on condition
that they would leave. Now every time
the porter lacked the price of drink
he puts on false beard and waistcoat
and went under the window, tapping on
pan as prelude to dance. Immedi-
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 magnificent room, we'll
exposed to the sun, had been reserved
for his use. 1t was the only one he fam
cled, and he occupied it until April at
noon precisely, the hour at which he set
out for Paris.
His name excited mirth. | will not
attempt an explanation, but every body
smiled whenever he was introduced. He
was known as NJ. jaime.
Now NJ. jaime arrived at Nice the day
after leaving Paris at six o'clock in the
evening. He partOok of an excellent
dinner-a bouillabaisse aux langOustes,
fillet marine, quail, asparagus, and a
bottle of Chateau la Rose. With this he
hoped not to die with hunger. Then,
after having smoked good cigar to set
tie his coffee and champagne, he retired
to rest.
1t was nine o'clock when he ensconced
himself in bed. He extinguished the
light, and, stretching himself out, an
ticipated sleep like doormouse.
But scarcely had he dropped into
doze when flute was heard in the next
apartment playing the air from Faust:
Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy FACET
The tone was sweet and silvery, so the
first impression was charming but the
fiutist cut short the melody at the fourth
measure and repeated it several times,
then rested for five minutes and re-
sumed in like manner, stopping at the
same point.
''What is the matter with him?" said
M. jaime to himself.
The other continued without a sign of
trouble.
At the fifth rehearsal, as there is
nothing so agreeable as not to weary in
the end, nj. jaime tapped on the parti.
ton wall. The flute was silent. Salts
fed he took potation from his night
table and closed his eyes. 1t was ten
o'clock. The hotel was almost empty.
the greater part of the guests not hav-
ing yet come in. Suddenly the peace
full silence was broken by the flute:
Let, Oh let me gaze upon thy facet"
''Whew! He is getting to be nuisance
Ii this is for an extra attraction / will
dispense with it,
He tapped loudly and cried out:
''Will you stop? If you don't I'll gaze
upon your face pretty soon!''
When NJ. jaime got angry he forgot
the dictates of politeness. There was ST.
lence again, and he began to get drowsy.
Suddenly:
LET, oh, let me gaze upon thy facer'
'Fie! The mean scamp!'
He rang for the chambermaid.
''Who is this idiot of flutist whom
have for neighbour he asked.
"a iutist!' she exclaimed with a va
cant air. ''Why, NJ. jaime, you are
dreaming. The chamber is empty"
M. jaime dared not reply. The sur
mise obtruded itself that perhaps he
was beginning to have delusions. Be-
sides, SO long as the chambermaid was
at hand the fiutist could not be heard.
But scarcely was she gone, crack:
LET oh, let me gaze upon thy facet"
And so on about once minute. M.
jaime 1oundered about and sank under
the bed-coverings exhausted.
AT eleven o'clock he heard some one
enter. Under the partition door he saw
CLEAN of light. He heard the rustling
of garments and preparations for bed.
Afterward quiet reigned, and he slept.
as usual, until the next noon.
On this second day, after having taken
walk on the Promenade Des Anglais
for sun bath. passed little time at
the club and dined composedly. he went
up to retire at ten o'clock.
He commenced undressing. Suddenly