The morning call., 1890-11-16
MYSTERY OF THE
GRASPING HAND.
Edward Montague Tells the Story
of an Enigmatical Tomb.
Monument Which Fills Visitors to Paris
Great Cemetery With Wonder-The Giant.
ess ard Her Little Journeyman

ESEgER first name was Elisa and her
f-S family name Truchet. There was
ASAS nothing to be ashamed of about that.
As to her profession-well, she was pork
butcher Let whoever has nothing of the
hog about him cast the first stone at her!
They even called her the phenomenal
pork butcher, under the pretext that she
had eight feet. Six of these were in height,
the two others at the extremity of her lower
limbs. Her mother had baptized the latter
tardy trotters. There's nothing like man.
mas for such antthctic tenderness. AS to
her shoulders, shan't speak Of them. And
her hand-a perfect poem!
When Eliza had piled Pelions of springs
upon Ossas of winters and could count fully
twenty completed years. Pere Truchet, who
was growing old. manifested the very nat
ural desire of abdicating in favor of SON.
in-law and invited his daughter to pick out
some brisk fellow who seemed to her capa-
bic OF assuring her happiness.
1t was not an easy matter to conc Jude this
marriage. although Eliza's portrait had
been sent to all the foreign courts. every
where that public rumor announced trace
OF bachelor pork butcher; but, fatality!
when Providence sent one into the latitude
of the Truchets, he had just two feet less
than his future companion!
One day-oh! JOY unspeakable There
came along q man who was twenty cent?
meters taller than Eliza! But he was q
brewer by trade!
They passed over that circumstance, as
Pere Truchet undertook to teach him in
couple of weeks all the secrets of his art.
1.-THE most difficult thing in the pork bust
ness, said he. lis to keep your hands
Clean"
THE MAYORS PRACTICAL SPEECH.
The marriage took place. it doesn't matter
where, with the pomp that distinguishes the
retail pork trade.
They were well and duly married in the
presence OF M. the Mayor, rich merchant
OF the quarter, who made them speech
about the reciprocal duties of husband and
wife, speech that finished with the judi
cious advice to sell as little as possible at
short weight, not necessarily for the repose
OF the conscience. but on account of the I'M
pleasantness one experiences when NJ. the
C0mmisSary of Police finds it out.
l almost forgot to tell you that the hus-
oand, the happy husband, was named BOni-
face R0astafiou.
This matter once established, can affirm
that never was honeymoon more delicious
than that of the two giants.
One spring evening, when the intoXicat-
Ing doors OF the scalding caldr0n were
mounting in humid whirls to the chamber
OF the welded pair. Mime. Roustatlou, in
the posture ascribed to the Venus of Milo,
only she had her arms, was plunging mel
ancholy glanceS into the deepest depths Of
ether. She was mute because she was pen
sive, and pensive because she was mute.
Roustafiou instantly noticed it,. and de-
posted long kiss Of love upon the bare
neck of his spouse.
What ails you. my dear?" he asked.
Elisa answered first with sigh. and,
shaking her beautiful yellowish-red hair,
added:
was thinking of Polycrates; you know
Polycrates, the pork butcher of Samos, don't
y0u?"
Roustafou passed his hand across his fore
head, on which stood drops OF cold dew, and
his eyes commenced to grow haggard.
You don't know the story. ell ?" resumed
his better half "Oh. how unfortunate it
was that used the pages of the book 10
wrap up sausages in-Otherwise l would
give it to you to read"
HAS he failed?" ris1ed Roustafou. Does
he owe us anything?
"Ah! no-failed. indeed! He was SO for