Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-05-02
A MYSTERIOUS FLUTIST.
How M. Jaune's Temper Got Him
a Wife and a Stuffed Bird.


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 journey.
Worse. Within was valetudinarian,
large and fat, one of those whom trifle
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 fled to Nice
He was a bachelor. Although he
could have married at any time, for he
had 100000 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 cook-not for herself,
but for her cooking. No one took better
care of No. /. 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 extravaganza
crank to be met with. His most insig-
nificant acts were on system; he 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 a drink
he puts on false beard and waistcoat
and went under the window, tapping on
pan as prelude to dance. lmmedi-
| q 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 q sat
| 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 faa-
cied, 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, a 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 a
doze when a flute was heard in the neg;
apartment playing the air from Faust
|
The tone was sweet and silvery, so the
first impression was charming; but the
tlutist 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?" saiC
NJ. jaime to himself.
The other continued without sign o
trouble.
At the fifth rehearsal, as there il
nothing so agreeable as not to weary Il
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 tel
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 facer
"Whew He is getting to be nuisance
If 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 gaz
upon your face pretty soon!"
When NJ. jaime got angry he forgo
the dictates of politeness. There was 81
lence again, and he began to get drowSy
Suddenly:
Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy face"
"Fie! The mean scamp
He rang for the chambermaid.
"Who is this idiot of flutist whom
have for neighbour" he asked
a fiuusG! sue exci,.i,noI VAN va
cant air, "Why, NJ. jaime, you az
dreaming. The chamber is empty"
NJ, jaime dared not reply. The SUI
. mise obtruded itself that perhaps h
was beginning to have delusions. Be
sides, so long as the chambermaid wa
at hand the flutist could not be heard
But scarcely was she gone. crack:
Let oh, let me gaze upon thy face"
; And so on about once a minute. N
jaime fioundered about and sank unde
, the bed-coverings exhausted.
At eleven o'clock he heard some on
enter. Under the partition door he sa
: a CLEAN of light. He heard the rustlin
: of garments and preparations for bee
Afterward quiet reigned, and he slep
as usual, until the next noon.
, On this second day, after having take
walk on the Promenade Des Anglia
for sun bath, passed little time
the club and dined composedly, he wer
: up to retire at ten o'clock.
, He commenced undressing. Suddenl
Just so--you have IT.