Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1890-05-23
THE MYSTERIOUS FLUTST.

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 a valetudinarian,
large and fat one of those whom a
tribe dsturbs. and who think their
final day of reckoning is near when
they have cold in the head. This
one imagined he had weak lungs. So
Mt the approach of cold weather he
bundled himself with furs and fled TO
Nice.
He was bachelor. Although he
could have married mt any time, for he
had 100, 600 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. /. 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 it would have been necessary
to inhibition his overcoat to take out
| his purse.
He was indeed the most extravagant
crank to 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 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 a drink he
put on false beard and went under
the window. tapping on a pan as pre-
lude to 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, whore 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 2 ut noon precisely, the
| uOUT 1T WIlCH Ht StJ OuI III Il III 10.
His name excited mirth. / will not
attempt an explanation, but everybody
smiled whenever he was introduced.
He was known rs NJ. jaime.
Now Nj. jaime arrived ut Nice the
day after leaving Paris at 6 o'clock in
the evening. He partook of an ex-
celleut 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.
IT, was nine o'clock when he esconced
himself in bed. He extinguished the
light, and stretched himself ont, an
ticipating sleep like doormouse.
But scarcely had he dropped into a
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 silvery, so
the first impression was charming; but
the flutist cut short the melody at the
fourth measure and repeated it several
times and then rested for five minutes
and resumed in like manner, stopping
at the same point.
What is the matter with himP" said
M. jaime to himself.
The other continued without n sign
of trouble.
At the fifth rehearsal, as there is moth
ing so agreeable rs 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
Negotiable 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
flute.
Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy facet"
M. jaime grew excited.
"Whew! He is getting to be nuis-
ance. If this is for an extra attraction
will dispense with it,"
He tapped loudly and cried out:
Twill you stop? If you don't I'll
gaze upon your face pretty soonw
When NJ. jaime got angry no forgot
the dictates of politeness. There was
silence again, and he began 10 get
drowsy.
Suddenly:
Lei, on, let mo gaze upon tiny iacc!
"Fie! The mean scampW
He rang for the chambermaid.
"Who is this idiot of flutist whom
have for neighbour" he asked.
"A futist" she exclaimed with a
vacant air. why. NJ. jaime, you are
dreaming. The chamber is empty"
Nj. jaime dared not reply. The sur
mise obtruded itself that perhaps he
was beginning to have delusions. Be.
sides. so long as the chambermaid was
at hand the flutist could not be heard.
But scarcely was she gone, crack:
. Let, oh, let me gaze upon thy FACET
; And so on about once minute. NJ.
jaime floundered about and sank under
the bed-coverings 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 and preparations
: for bed. Afterward quiet reigned, and
|. he slept, as usual. until the next noon.
8 On this second day. after having
. taken walk on the Promenade Des
!. Anglais for a sun bath, passed littl e
? ? time at the club and dined composedly,