The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-09

joy, in solitude and quiet, the dreams of
his poets fancy.
Sully sat leisurely in q chair by his
side
There was 8 chatting and caressing, a
laughing and teasing and exquisite story
telling in every one of Daudet's lines.
which glittered and sparkled and waited
forth delicious odorl There was Joy and
tears expressed in one BREATH The pic
turesque side Of the life of peasants, shep-
nerds, miliers became animated with
lifel
And Mounet Sully read unafectedly, as
II to himself, with a natural simplicity,
astonishing for an actor who generally re-
cites in blank verse.
1t was rare treatl
One thing alone displeased me. 1t
seemed like a discord in the otherwise so
harmonious whole. That was Daudet
himself. He sat with a monocle in his
eye. which, together with his peculiar
growth OF hair and his particular style of
dressing, almost dudish in Its fastidious-
ness, made him appear very eccentric
character. Something disquieting, iiuctu-
atlng, uncertain, signalized him as il does
SO often the characters which he describes.
being overloaded with details like tligree
work.
Later on / heard that his eyesight was
exceedingly weak and that he had even TO
fear growing totally blind.
saw him several times in the streets,
generally with double-breasted short
jacket and slouched hat, entirely too
small for the mass of hair. He always
wears embroidered dress shirts and would
be delighted if he could use laces instead
OF cuffs and collars, as he actually did at
one time.
He is hard and very conscientious
worker and likes best to live comfortably
In ms own home, surrounded by his wife
and children. His favorite poet during
his youth was Victor Hugo. but now il is
Flaubert. Of the living French writers,
he entertains the greatest respect for lola.
I'VE are rivals" he said, "but good COM
rades, nevertheless, though we don't see
one another as often now as we used to do
In former times"
He likes to surround himself with ORR
entail rugs and armory; they recall to him
the time when he was sent by the Due de
Morny to Corsica and Algiers, and was re-
ceived by the Arabian chieftains with
great fantastic pomp. To the sons of the
desert he was the messenger OF the al
mighty emperor of France.
Though he priced the frienship of men
ike Gambetta, Rochefort, Wales in his
youth, when he lived with his brother in
the nth story of the Hotel du Senat, rue
de Tournon. politics have not much at
traction for him, being, nevertheless, a
merry patriot. But he is a thorough poet
ana considers IL his individual as well as
social duty to do his work in peace
Readers who know Daudet only by his
popular novels would be astonished at the
versatility he displays in his dramatic
works.
During my stay in Paris 1 had the OPP
portunlty OF reading a little farce on an
antique fable, which is now out of print
N foyr fo1 -,
of his works.
So it will be quite appropriate to describe
the quaint extravaganza and farcicai ebal-
hency of this little comedy.
Alexander the Great, son of Philip of
Macedonia, appears as boy of 15, acquir-
ing knowledge under the tutorage of the
old philosopher Aristoteles. But dislik-
ing the study of mathematics. the young
rogue finds Briseis, the beautiful female
slave, by far more interesting. As soon as
the pedagogue turns his back, Alexander
runs off to the fountain to help Brlsels
with her washing. He is surprised by
Aristoteles in the proceeding.
Just wait, III let your papa know
about it," threatened the philosopher.
snow leave me, lovesick boy. And as
for you, Briseis, | have few serious
words TO say to you in private"
The cunning, girl, however knows how
to make the best of this interview. Aris-
toteles cannot resist her coquetry, and de-
clares himself ready to do what she asks
of him.
''Alasi if it is really true that you love
me, give me little chariot, like the ladies
of fashion have"
"My beautiful child, tomorrow you shall
have it."
''No, / want it this very momenti" And
she pointed with her rosy fingers at a
dainty golden chariot that happened to be
standing near the fountain.
But the horses are at work in the
fields" answered Aristoteles.
Harness yourself to it and draw me-"
demanded his capricious sweetheart.
AriStoteles hesitates for moment, but a
glance from the seductive beauty causes
him to forget all the wisdom of his philos-
ophy-he takes the bit in his mouth and
seizes the shafts.
Forward" cried Briseis, jumping into
the chariot and swinging whip.
And Aristoteles pulls and runs and gal
lops until he stops gasping for breath, as
the burden seems to him to be doubled.
Prince Alexander, who witnessed the
whole scene from hiding place, has also
mounted the chariot and embraced his
friend
The tricked teacher does not know how
he shall retreat from his embarrassing
position, when the sound of bugles an
nounces the arrival of King Philip.
The king of Macedonia" is shouted
behind the scenes.
Alexander unfastens the embarrassed
teacher on the conditions that he promises
silence and leniency in the future.
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