The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-05-31
THE MYSTERIOUS FlUTET.

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the bouleyards. spinning like zebra.
IL was 20 loaded with trunks that you
would have thought an actress was
starting out on journey.
Worse. Within Was yaletudinarian.
large and fat one Of those whom
tribe disturbs. and who think their
fnal day Of reckoning is near when
they have cold in the head. This
one imagined he had weak lungs. So
NJ the approach OF cold weather he
bundled himself with furs and He'd 10
Nice.
He was n bachelor. Although he
could have married At any time, for he
had 100. 600 francs la stocks. and there
fore suited many young ladies. he had
been unwilling 10 dispose OF his right
hand. Next TO himself, the one he
loved best was the cook-not for her
self, but for her cooking. No one took
better care of No. l. Under no cir
cumstances would he have disturbed
himself to do favor. He would not
have lent sous To his father In the
street. for il would have been necessary
To unbutton his oyercoat to take out
his purse.
He was indeed the most extravagant
crank 10 be met with. His most in
significant acts were on system; he
slept, rose. ate, smoked. and took
medicine with his watch in hand.
MANY curious stories were told at his
expense. For instance. he was SO
nervous, so irritable. that he detested
the songsters In the court yards. The
porter had 10 drive them away with u
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
put on false beard and went under
the window, tapping on pan as pre-
lude 10 dance. Immediately half
franc was forthcoming.
The neighbors had TO hold their sides.
for there are people who cannot help
laughing.
AT Nice he always put up at the
great United States hotel. where for
fifteen years the same magnificent
room well exposed 10 the sun. had
been reserved for his use. IL was the
only one be fancied. and he occupied IL
until April , at noon precisely. the
hour at which he set out for Paris.
His name excited mirth. l will not
attempt AN explanation. but everybody
smiled whenever NE was introduced.
He was known AS NJ. jaime.
Now M. Jaime arrived at Nice the
day after leaving Paris at q o'clock in
cellent dinner-a bouillabaisse aux
langoustes. fillet marine. quail.
asparagus. aud "a bottle of Chateau la
Rose. With this he hoped not to die
with hunger Then, after having
smoked good cigar to settle his coffee
and champagne. he retired to rest.
IL WAS niue o'clock when he csconced
himself la bed. He extinguished the
light. and stretched himself out. an
ticipating sleep like doormouse.
But scarcely had he dropped into n
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 silyery, so
the first impression was charming; but
the fiutist cut short the melody at the
fourth measure aud repeated IL several
times, and then rested for five minutes
and resumed ia like manner. stopping
~ the same point.
What Is the matter with himp" said
nj. jaime to himself
The other continued without a sign
Of trouble.
AT the fifth rehearsal. as there is moth
ing SO agreeable as not TO weary at the
the end. nj. jaime tapped on the par
tition wall. The flute was silent.
Satisfied he took "a potation from his
night-tablc and closed his eyes. 1t was
10 o'clock. The hotel was almost
empty. the greater part OF the guests
not having yet come In. Suddenly the
peaceful silence was broken by the
hute.
let. oh. let me gaze upon thy faccl'
M. jaime grew excited.
"Whewl He is getting to be nuis-
ance. II this IN for an extra attraction
will dispense with IT,"
lie tapped loudly aud cried out:
"will you stopP II you don't I'll
gaze upon your face pretty soonln
When M. jaime got angry he forgot
the dictates OF politeness. There was
silence again, aud he began TO get
drowsy.
Suddenly:
Let. oh. let me gaze upon thy facet"
"Fiel The mean scampw
lie rang for the chambcrmaid.
"Who Is this idiot OF futist whom |
have for a neighbour" he asked.
"A hutistr' she exclaimed with a
vacant air. why. M. 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 dclusions. BE-
sides. so long rs the chambermaid was