St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1890-03-15
EIGHTEEN SNUFF-BOXES.
How the Paaha's Order Was Faith
fully Filled.

How the Paeha's Order Was Faith
fully Filled
Some half-a-dozen years previous t.
the sudden collapse Of the Napoleonis
dynasty, in 1870. . certain sensation WA
excited in Paris by the arrival in tha,
city of an Oriental potentate Of am
biguOus nationality. but popularly
known and spoken of IS THE Pasha. y
Whether he came from Turkey or from
Egypt was regarded as matter of com.
paratively small Importance; the two
essential points in his favor were, first,
that he was undoubtedly the possessor
of An immense fortune, and secondly
tian capital--that he spoke French with
tolerable fucncy. As . matter OF
course, so desirable an acquisition to
Partisan society become the lion of the
hour; and no sooner was it aScertai ned
that spacious hotel overlooking the
Pare de MOnceaux had been engaged
and furnished for the reception of His
Excelency and suite, than . shoal of
visitors, official and nOn-Ofiicial. has
tened to inscribe their names in . book
deposited for the purpose in the perter's
lodge. Every day brought a fresh in
stallment Of signatures, until before .
week had elapsed, the list threatened to
rival in length the traditional cata-
logue Of Leporello.
HusSein Pasha-an assumed title. I
fancy. but the one by which he was gem
orally knOwn-was short and corpulent,
of sallow complexion and reserved man.
ners; he spoke little, but what he did
say was concise and to the point He
WAS extremely observant, but chary OF
expressing his opinion of what he saw
or heard; only one instance being re-
corded of temporary departure from
his hsbitual taciturnity. Having been
persuaded by member of the French
Jocky Club to accompany him to the
opera, he was escorted between the acts
by his cicerone to the foyer de Ia danse;
thereby OccasiOning great excitement
among the ladies Of the corps de ballet
many of whom doubtless anticipated
that, in accordance with Eastern Gus
toms, the ceremony Of throwing the
handkerchief would Be revived for their
own especial glorincation. Nothing of
the sort. however, occurred. After .
very carsOry glance At the assembled
sylphides, anAs muttered ejaculation
which sounded remarkably like '.Mances
balai" (broomsticks), the visitor
turned abruptly on his heels, and curtly
intimated his desire to return to his |
box.
A few minutes later Count was
startled by . sudden display Of anima- |
tion on the part of his companion, who |
was casing with absorbed attention 1t |
an nenormcusly-stout lady occupying the |
entire front Of one of the stage-boxes.
"Ah. Ii belle femme- enthusiastical- |
ly exclaimed the Rsshs. Look, is she |
not superb?''
Him." replied the Jockey Club ex-
auisite, hardly able to repress smile.
that is = matter of taste. Does not your
Excelency think her perhaps on the
whole q trifie too voluminous?"
"Jamais trop, monsieur" Indignantly
retorted Hussein; '.jamais trop!'
After a soj0urn of three months in
Paris. the Pasha, who had employed
portion of his time in
practical study of the latest inventions
and improvements, scientific and me-
chanical, with the view Of introducing
them in his own dominions, announced
his intention Of breaking up his estab-
lishment, and returning to the East
Before doing SO. however, he was desir-
Gus of expressing his acknowledgements
in the shape of a suitable present to GER
tain officials of high standing who had
been particularly serviceable to him in
his researches. and consulted his secre-
tary. an intelligent young Frenchman,
on the subject
M Morin," he said, after explaining
his project, 1T seems to me that the
simplest way would be to send . few
thousand francs to each Of them"
Pardon me, your Highness," object
ed the secretary. ''if venture to remind
you that a present of money would be
considered breach of etiquette, and
resented - an insult"
"fou French are very singular poo
ple," observed the Pasha. with US,
no matter how rich a man may be, ho is
not fool enough to refuse piastres when
he can get them. What, then. would
you advise me to do?"
MAY he allowed to suggest, replied
NORM, that an object of artistic value
would be fitting token of your High
ness good will-a gold snuff box, for in
stance"
The very thing" said Hussein. ap-
provingly. Where are such articles to
be founde'
AT DORIS. in the Rue de IL Paix."
Good. Let him know exactly what
] require, and see that he is hero pre-
cisely At twelve tomorrow"
On being admitted to the Pasha's pres
ence. 1t the appointed hour, NJ. Dorr
produced, among other specimens Of his
handiwork, gold snuff-box. exquisitely
and encircled with moderate
sized diamonds, the interior of the lid
bearing the jewelers. name engraved in
characters. Hussein exam
ined it minutely. and inquired the price.
''Four thousand frsncs. your High
ness" replied Dora ii