The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-12-05
A PASHA'S SNUFF BOXES.


the sudden collapse of the Napoleonic
dynasty, in 1870, certain sensation was
excited in Paris by the arrival in that
city of an oriental potentate of ambigu-
GUS nationality, but popularity known
and spoken of as 1.-THE pasha. Whether
he came from Turkey or from Egypt
was regarded as a matter of compare
lively small appearances the two essen
tial points in his favor were. first, that
he was Undoubtedly the possessor of
an immense fortune; and, secondly-no
sligh recommendation in the Lutetian
capital-that he spoke French with toll
cradle fluency. AS a matter of course
SO desirable an acquisition to Partisan
society became the lion of the hour, and
no sooner was it ascertained that spa
cious hotel overlooking the Park de
Monceaux had been engaged and fur
nished for the reception of his excellen-
cy and suite than a shoal of visitors,
official and non-of1icial, fastened to in
scribe their names in a book deposited
for the purpose in the porter's lodge.
Every day brought a fresh installment
of signatures until before a week had
elapsed the list threatened to rival in
length the traditional catalogue of Lepo-
relic.
Hussein Pasha-an assumed title,
| fancy, but the only one by which he was
4 generally known-was short and corpu-
| lent, of sallow complexion and reserved
manners: bespoke little, but what he did
say was concise and to the point. He
was extremely observant, but chary of
expressing his opinion of what he saw or
! heard-only one instance being recorded
of temporary departure from his habit
ual taciturnity. Having been persuaded
by a member Of the French Jockey club
to accompany him to the opera, he was
escorted between the acts by his cicerone
to the foyer de la danse, thereby occa-
sioning great excitement among the corps
de ballet, manyof whom doubtless antici-
pated that, in accordance with eastern
customs, the ceremony Of throwing the
handkerchief would be revived for their
own especial glorification. Nothing of
the sort, however, occurred. After a very
cursory glance at the assembled sylphides
aud muttered ejaculation which sound
ed remarkably like finances a balai'
(broomsticks), the visitor turned abrupt
ly on his heels and CURLY intimated his
desire to return to his box.
A few minutes later Count - was
startled by sudden display of anima-
ton on the part of his companion, who
was gazing with absorbed attention al
an enormously stout lady occupying the
entire front Of one of the stage boxes.
"Ah, la belle femmer enthusiastically
exclaimed the pasha. Look, is she not
superb?"
"H'ml" replied the Jockey club exqui
site, hardly able to repress a smile, ''tha
is a matter Of taste. Does not your ex
celency think her perhaps on the whole
a trife too voluminous?'
} "Jamais trop. monsieurw Indignantly
retorted Hussein, "jamais trop"
After a soiourn of three months in
, Paris the pasha, who had employed
considerable portion of his time in
practical study of the latest invention
and improvements, scientific and me
chanical, with the view Of introducing
Z them into hisown dominions, announce
his intention Of breaking up his estat
lishment and returning to the east. BE
fore doing so, however, he was desirou
of expressing his Acknowledgements i
the shape of suitable present to certai
officials of high standing who had bee
I particularly serviceable to him in his rC
searches, and consulted his secretary, a
intelligent young Frenchman, on tn
subject.
Il M NORM" he said, after explainin
his project, "it seems to me that I'll
simplest way would be to send fe
thousand francs to each of them"
Pardon me, your highness," objecte
the secretary, IF / venture to remin
you that a present Of money would
considered breach of etiquette and col
sequently resented as an insult.
"You French are very singular people
I observed the pasha. ''With US no ma
ter how rich aman may be, he is not 70
enough to refuse piasters when he CO
get them. What, then, would you a.
wise me to dor
"May / be allowed to suggest" I
/ piled NORM, "that an object of artist
/ value would be a fitting token Of yo
highness good villa gold snuff DO
fo- instance"
"The very thing said Hussein, a
provingly. where are such articles
a be found?"