The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-06-15
TIE HARPERS FRENoH CONTRIBUTOR.
Interesting Facts Concerning the Youth
of AIphonse Daude4.

Interesting Facts CONCERNING the Youth
OF AIphonse Daudet.
The following incidents IN the career Of
Alphonse Daudet are related by II. II.
Boyesen, who enjoys the privilege OF a
personal acquaintance with the distin-
guished French author. They viii be Of
especial interest to the readers of Daudet's
new novel. Port Tarascon now being
published in HQrpef's Maqdzi1te.-
Alphonse Daudet, a little delicate
man, with dark beard parted at the chin,
heavy ringlets like lions name sur
rounding his head, soft dreamy eyes, and
extremely robust chest-such he IS
When a boy his father failed, and for
some time Alphonse lived with him in
penury at Lyons. But an elder brother
procured a position in a glass store at
Paris and Alphonse went to live with
him. They took the cheapest lodgings in
the city, for money was exceedingly
scarce. In fact, Daudet travelled to Paris
in freight car, wearing pair OF rubber
boots, inside OF W hich were neither slip
pers nor stockings. The journey occu-
pied two days, and the boy did not taste
food during the whole time. Finally
when Paris was reached, he was nearly
frozen, as we'll IS starved. There they
dwelt, far up in the attic Of building six
stories IN height.
l.
Both had an Astounding faith that the
younger possessed genius. One day a
stray volume OF Daudef's poems found
its way into the Tuileries. The Empress
EageBie vas delighted with it and ex-
claimed to her brorher-in-laTy:-- Can't we
do something for the boy who wrote
theseY The Duke replied.-sWe can do
everything for him If your majesty SO de-
sires.' Then find ont about him aud
offer assistance, she cried
The next day Alphonse looked down
from his attic window in surprise to see
a great carriage, bearing the royal coat
Of arms. stop before the door. In a mo-
ment a huge, impressive, dignified, ltv-
eriel lackey came Donderousiy creaking
the stairs. AS he knocked heavily on
door Daudet reeled forward half IN a
..nt. What could it means What
would happens Nothing, the lackey said.
except the Duke sent his card TO NJ. Dau-
det, who would please call upon the Duke
one week from that day.
'Ah, what preparations were made for
that ylsiti Surely Daudet could not 20 to
the palace in rags and tatters, 50 he
searched the clothing stores OF all Paris.
trying to hire a dress suit. but owing TO
his peculiar physique none could be
found After many trials he succeeded
in getting hold Of tailor who made him
suit on the strength of the Dukes card
for Daudet had ne money TO pay for
1t--and on the appointed day he went 10
the palace A score of others were pre-
sent, but he waited his turn, and 1t came
He was ushered in TO where the Duke
sat.
q Can yon writer Yes, sir, replied
Daudet. Very good; want secretary.
Pay, 5000 francs Good morning. The
boy was nearly overcome. He had never
imagined that any one was paid that
much year-about 81 60. But he sud
denly reneIn bered that he differed in
politics from the Duke, and drawing him
self up, announced the fact Instead of
being deeply moved by this heroic course
the Duke said, oh, GO get your hair cut.
don't care anything about your political
beliefs.