The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-05-07
THE MYSTERIOUS FLUTIST.
MARY a HALL.


Paris, closed carriage rolled along
the boulevards, spinning like zebra.
1t was so loaded with trunks that you
would have thought an actress was
starting out on journey.
Worse. Within was q valetudinarian,
large and fat, one of those whom a
trifie 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 100 900 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 the cook-not for her.
self, but for her cooking. No one took
better care of No. l. Under no cir
himself to do a favor. He would not
street, for it would have been necessary
to unbutton his overcoat to take out
his purse.
He was indeed the most extravagant
crank to be met with. His most in
Significant acts We're on system; he
slept, rose, ate, smoked, and took
medicine with his watch in hand.
Many curious stories were told at his
nervous, so irritable, that he detested
the songsters in the court-yards. The
porter had to drive them away with a
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 drink he
put on false beard and went under
the window tapping on pan as pre-
lude to dance. Immediately a 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 to the sun, had
been reserved for his use. 1t was the
only one he fancied, and he occupied it
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 he was introduced.
He was known as M. Jaune.
Now M. Jaune arrived at Nice the
day after leaving Paris at 6 o'clock in
the evening. He partook of an eX-
cellent dinner-a bouillabaisse aux
langoustes, fillet marine, a quail,
asparagus, and bottle of Chateau Ia
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 nine o'clock when he escOnced
himself in bed. He extinguished the
light, and stretched himself out, an
ticipating sleep like a doormouse.
But scarcely had he dropped into d
doze when a flute was heard in the neX'
apartment playing the air from Faust
LET, oh, let me gaze upon thy face!'
The tone was sweet and silvery, sc
the first impression was charming; bu
the f1utist cut short the melody at the
fourth measure and repeated 1t seVera
times, and then rested for five minutes
and resumed in like manner, stopping
at the same point.
What is the matter with hlm?" salt
M. Jaune to himself.
The other continued without sigl
of trouble.
At the fifth rehearsal, as there is moth
inc so agreeable as not to weary at tn
the end, M. Jaune tapped on the par
tition wall. The flute was silent
Satisfied he took a potation from hi
night-table and closed his eyes. 1t wa
10 o'clock. The hotel was almos
empty, the greater part of the guest
not having vet come in. Suddenly tn
peaceful silence was broken by tn
flute.
LET, oh, let me gaze upon thy face!'
M. Jaune grew excited.
"Nhew! He is getting to be a nui:
ance. If this is for an extra attractio
will dispense with it,,
He tapped loudly and cried out:
..WilI YOU stop? If you don't L
gaze upon your face pretty soon!
When M. Jaune got angry he forge
the dictates of politeness. There VIZ
silence again, and he began to g
drowsy.
Suddenly:
LET, oh, let me gaze upon thy face"
''Fie! The mean scamp!'
'Who is this idiot of iutist whom
have for neighbour" he asked.
"a flutist!'' she exclaimed with
. vacant air. ''Why, NJ. Jaune, you a
dreaming. The chamber is empty"
M. Jaune dared not reply. The su
mise obtruded itself that perhaps
was beginning to have delusions. b
sides, so long as the chambermaid W
at hand the fiutist could not be hear
: But scarcely was she gone, crack:
Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy face!'
And so on about once a minute.
Jaune foundered about and sank und
the bed-coverings exhausted.
At II o'clock he heard some o
enter. Under the partition door
saw CLEAN of light, He heard t
rustling of garments and preparatio
for bed. Afterward quiet reigned, a
he slept, as usual, until the next noe