The morning call., 1891-08-09

Z" \ OF at all, my dear artist; said what
/ meant. l want to congratulate the doctor
on an action of which all Paris will be talk
ing tomorrow"
Whats that?-what's that?" demanded
the actors in chorus.
st appears that Florestan last night
saved a man who was drowning in the
Seine"
'Ah that's fable" said the pere noble.
I'll it's not an advertisement" added the
jeune premier.
yeteurS proposes to vote him gold medal
at its next general meeting" said the com
edan, Satirically.
AT this sally everybody burst ont laugh
@Why not?" said the ingenue, timidly.
"They gave one to Nine. Lafioux, the bal
cony opener, for having cured cat of the
mango"
The laughter redoubled. They held their
sides. At that moment DR.. Florestan ap-
peared at the entrance of the foyer. There
was general shout:
"Hurrah for the life-saverw
"What, you know about the adventure ?"
said the physician of the theater, laughing.
Then, turning toward the author: 4" saw
you talking with my father a little while
ago-it was he who told you of the matter"
You're right, doctor, but give US the par
ticulaIs."
The particulars, the particulars" cried
everybody.
You want them? Well. I've ten min
uteS to spare"
PALE AND UGLY PROFILE.
They made circle around the doctor,
who immediately launched forth. But be-
fore giving his recital L must present the
hero OF this story to the reader.
DR.. Florestan was 80 He was colossus
His shoulders and chest were like those of
the Eoruasp Hprpulas and tho
POrthos himself would have dared to med
die with him only IN an exceptionally grave
case. Like all men gifted with great physi-
cal strength. DIR. Florestan was as gentle as
a verse of Scripture and his patience went
as far rs forbearance. However, it would
not do to anger him; then he drew himself
u2 and woe to him who received a blow
from his iron fist. Now l will let him go on
with his story.
"You must know, my friends" said he,
that | was delayed last night at the house
of a patient who dwell Is on the other side of
the river, near Saint-Germain-des-Pr Pres. /
live, you are aware, on the Boulevard
Haussnlan; | had therefore to cross the
Seine. 1t was 2 o'clock in the morning.
Not hack either on the Quai MalaquaiS or
the Quai Voltare. AS 1 like walking that
did not worry me. The night, besides, was
fine, although a trife cold-starry from the
horizon to the zenith. There was an admir-
able moon.
81 had just gone on the bridge and was
thinking of my old father, who never goes
to sleep without having received the kiss
which, through pious habit, place every
evening upon the forehead of my only true
friend in Paris. when suddenly | felt some
thing heavy and strong come down on each
| of my shoulders. | halted, and half turning
| my head, saw at once the very pale and
| very ugly profile of a man above a big
side explained what ! felt on the left The
| profile spoke-a kissing voice said to me:
\ ou'n go no furtherp
DOWN WITH YOUR PAws!'
81 turned quickly. facing my adversary.
a sort of tramp of lofty stature. wearing an
| otter-skln cap and whose blue blouse opened
| i'll front allowed to be seen, beneath q
| turned down and unbottOned collar, a red
| foulard twisted like a rope. | struck the
mans hand with my fist.
First and foremost, down with your
pawsp said 10 him. What do you want
| of me?'
az tell you that you'll go no furtherp
| resumed the scOundrel, blowing in my face
a breath poisoned with tobacco and vile
brandy.
"'Do you think sop
"'Yes, [ do!'
81 looked the wretch straight in the
| eyes.
Come, stand back OF I'll beat you to
| jellyy
THE man with the red foulard recoiled
me and his tipsy and thick voice added:
BEAT me to a jelly! That's rich, YOU
big blowhardp Then. in sinister tone:
You're dead man if you don't shell outl'
If you want drink, I'll give you that
and at once! cried.
And with rapid bound 1 ieaped upon
the vagubond, grasping him around the
body and lifting him to the top of the bridge
rail.
LET gop beloved the drunkard. let
go! amt thirsty now3
on have been drinking, villain; you
shall drink some more!
"And opening my arms l dropped the
man. who uttered a long howl.
II leaned over the rail and looked NUT
tering:
Lets see if the fool can SWIM
THE POLICE TAKE A HAND.
The imbecile sank beneath the pretty
ripple5 of the Seine, which on moonlight
nights resemble the silvery scales of fish. l
threw off my coat and, scaling the balus-
trade, said to myself: My boy. you'll GER
drunkard, but was forced to plunge twice
in order to harpoon the tainted brute, whom
the current was carrying away.
Few as are the pasSers and polio emen
| upon the Pont des Saints-Peres at o'clock
in the morning, there nevertheless was
group of night prowlers on the bank when I
dragged the half-drowned man thither,
The gathering drew two sergeants de vile,
one of whom handed me my coat, which he
had picked up on the bridge.
"The man, still in swOon, was carried to
neighboring police station, whittier l was
compelled to accompany him. There, wet
as an umbrella, shivering beneath my coat,
demanded the right to go and dry myself
at the paternal domicile. The chief of the
station, an old chip from the former Rue de
Jerusalem, eyed me aueerly at this demand
and said to me in a rough tone:
Impossible, monsieur, utterly impoS-
sioler
"' Florestan-don't knowyou! But what
is the name of Florestan to me? l know
only my duty. A report of this case must
be drawn up and submitted to the Commits
saire de Police, who will have to take down
your declaration and that of the unfortunate
man..
"' All right, but be quick
"THIs RESCUE PERHAPS HIDES A cRIMEw
"'There is little trouble, monsieur
"' Wen, what is it, Brigadier?'
SO Monsieur the Commissaire de Police
has gone to bed
"'Well, have one Of your men wake him
up
1.-The chief slowly stroked his imperial.
He replied, Struggling his shoulders dis
dainfully:
az can't take that upon myself for such
trife
"'For such trife, Brigadier? A good
for-nothing whom | have snatched from
death, likely galleg-slave.'
Monsieur added the chief, assuming a
Javert. pose. this rescue perhaps hides
crmev
You are very kind, Brigadier Call me
an assassin at oncev
my GOODNESS exasperated the representa-
tive of the law.
But, monsieur cried he, roughly, Il
know nothing about 1t; it's not my business,
but concerns the Commissaire de POlice- Az
he won't be here till 8 o'clock you'll wait
till then. Besides, the cell is excellent
=" Thank you, but l should prefer my
bed
" You will be alone there, monsieur
That, Brigadier. is a consolation how
ever l prefer to remain here, if only to be
present at the awakening of this male