Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-05-22
THE STRANGE FLUTIST.

Last January, on Jne nfSL evening that a
light snow carpeted the roofs of Paris, a
4 closed carriage rolled along the boulevards,
spinning like zebra 1t was SO loaded with
trunks that you would have thought an &C
s. trass was setting out on journey
Fl Worse Within was valetudinarian, large
and fat, one of those whom trifle disturbs,
and who think their final day of reckoning is
4 near when they have 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 bachelor Although he could have
4 married at any time, for he had 100, 900 francs
n IN stocks, and therefore 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
Il cooking No one took better care of No |.
Under no circumstances would he have dis
N turbed himself to do favor. He would not
have lent five sous to his father in the street,
81 for it would have been necessary to unbutton
bis overcoat to take out his purse
81 He was indeed the most extrayagant crank
n 10 be met with. His most Insignificant acts
were on system; he slept, rose, ate, smoked
4 and took medicine with his watch in hand
Il Many curious stories were told at his ex-
3 pense For instance, he was SO nervous, so
4 irritable that he detested the songsters in the
4 courtyards. The porter had TO drive them
4 away with the broom. To persons who per-
n sisted in singing in the street he quickly
4 threw a half franc on condition that they
would leave Now, every time the porter
lacked the price of drink he put on false
beard and red waistcoat and went under
. fha tTfu fap IN ID
& to dance. Immediately half franc was
4 forthcoming.
The neighbors had to hold their sides, for
4 there are people who cannot help laughing.
At Nice he always put up at the great
United States hotel, where for fifteen years
n the same magnificent room, well exposed to
H the sun, had been reserved for his use 1t
was the only one he fancied, and he occupied
/ it until April 2 at noon precisely, the hour at
which he set out for Paris.
His name excited mirth. / will not at
tempt an explanation, but everybody smiled
whenever he was introduced. He was known
as NJ. jaime.
Now NJ jaime arrived at Nice the day after
leaving Paris at o'clock in the evening He
partook of an excellent dinner-a bouillabaisse
aux langoustss, fillet marine, a quail, as
paragus, and bottle of Chateau la Rose.
With this he hoped not to die with hunger.
Then, after having smoked a good cigar to
settle his coffee and champagne, he retired to
rest
1t was o'clock when he ensconced himself
in bed. He extinguished the light, and,
stretching himself out, anticipated sleep like
a dormouse.
But scarcely had he dropped into doze
when flute was heard in the next apart
ment playing the air from Faust:
Let OH let me gaze upon thy facey'
The tone was sweet and silvery, so the first
impression was charming; but the ilutist cut
short the melody at the fourth measure and
repeated it several times then rested for i've
minutes and resumed in like manner, stop
ping at the same point.
What is the matter with hint" said NJ.
jaime to himself
The other continued without 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 partition wall. The
flute was silent Satisfied, he took potation
from his night table and closed bis 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 flute.
LET, oh, let me gaze upon thy facer
NJ. jaime grew excited.
''Whewi He is getting to be a nuisance.
II this is for an extra attraction l will dis
oense with it,
He tapped loudly and cried out:
'Will you stopl II you don't I'll gaze
upon your face pretty soonln
When NJ. jaime got angry he forgot the
dictates of politeness. There was silence
again, and he began to get drowsy.
Suddenly:
@I.et, oh. let me gaze upon thy face.''
"Fiei The mean scamp
He rang for the chambermaid.
who is this idiot of iutist whom / have
for neighbour he asked.
"A fiutistf' she exclaimed, with vacant
air. ''Why, NJ jaime, you are dreaming.
The chamber is empty
NJ. jaime dared not reply. The surmise
obtruded itself that perhaps he was beginning
TO have decisions Besides, so long as the
was at hand the futist could
not be heard. But scarcely was she gone,
crack:
Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy facel
And so on about once a minute. NJ. jaime |
Aoundered about and sank under the bed COW
rings exhausted.
At IL O'Clock he heard some one enter. |
Under the partition door he saw CLEAN Of |
Light He heard the rustling of garments |
aud preparations for bed Afterward quiet
rsigned, and be slept, as usual, until the next
nOon
On this second day, after having taken
walk on the Promenade Des Anglais for a
sun bath, passed little time at the club and
dined composedly, he won't up to retire at 10
o'clock.
he commenced undressing. Suddenly-just
'o-you have it:
Let oh, let me gaze upon thy facei"
Forgetting his grotesque appearances II his
nighteap, half undressed, he rushed down to
complain to the master Of the house.
M Favioli, why do you furnish lodgings
10 musical artists In house which thought
. eommendab;en
Truly. NJ jaime, do not know what you
neAn. beg you 10 believe that have re-
gard enough for my interests to refuse those
psople
Then you have one without knowing it,