Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-02-12
THE SMOKING CHIMNEY.
BY e. C, wAGGENER.

=
ing in the Rue de la Caussee d Autin,
Immediately under the roof, perched,
like sparrow on the top branch of {
poplar, young man by the name o
Passereaud of quiet, orderly habits
amiable temper, modest bearing and
whose clothes were patched.
He had just graduated from the Ecolt
Centrale and shortly afterwards had beer
offered by the Calcium Mines of the
High Peloponesus, Limited, an appoint
ment at five hundred francs per month,
which, | am told, would have given him
necessities. Unfortunately he had been
thinking of inventing an automatic
brake" to keep locomotives from run
ming through each other when meeting
on a single track, or at least to soften
the shock of contact till they would only
gentlykiss each others ''pads.'
Full of his idea he had declined the
company's proposals in order to give
himself entirely, day and night, to the
confection of draughts for this wonder
full invention destined to rovolutionize
the world He expected from 1t both
fame and fortune, and meanwhile con-
fined himself in the intervals of his draw
ing to a daily loaf and sous worth of
cheese and came precious near starving.
He did not, however, mind this, his
brake being almost completed, and as
automatic as the most fastidious locomo-
tive could possibly desire.
One day on the staircase, or rather on
the first floor landing, he came face to
face witha beautiful young girl, ablonde,
and so graceful of walk and carriage that
a classic would at once have written hel
down a goddess. She came and she dis.
appeared light and airy, leaving behind
her only subtle perfume of sweet YER
bena, and Passereaud, amazed by the
sight of so many charms concentrated in
a single girl, stood a good five minutes
staring blankly into space awaiting re-
appearance OF this incompatible neigh
Dor.
The next day, by the most astounding
coincidence, which we must regard as
singularly fortuitous. Passereaud chanceC
otind himself on that same landing al
that same hour and-more fortuitous still
the girl referred to passed him again.
This time-at least it seemed so-she
blushed as she passed.
Fearing to have offended her Passe-
reaud vowed that nevermore would he
descend those stairs at similar hour
but on the morrow he suddenly became
aware that urgent business compelled
him to go out at the identical momen
when he had decreed the day before that
go out he would not.
He took his hat, and-it happened
exactly as he had feared-a third en-.
counter occurred and Passereaud was in
consolable, for the young girl had un.
doubtedly blushcd deeper than before.
lie was furious at himself; the un
known, scandalized by such persecu
tion, would certainly take instant meas
ures to escape his gaze. And to max
sure of his doom Passereaud daily too
the stairway as nearly as possible at tina
same honr, and each day regularly steppe
aside to make room for this desirabl
neighbor. Mindful, too, of his mother
training he bowed each time he met hel
and soon observed that the nod in retur
was growing almost friendly.
She was becoming familiarized.
When he made that discovery he wer
to regard himself in the glass of sho
window-a similar article being unknow
in his chamber-to ascertain if his outt
man was such as would be pleasing in til
eyes of beautiful girl. Decidedly hi
coat was not of fashionable cut, bu
his face was by no means repulsive-
rather the contrary.
After which, with due precaution, h
made inquiry as to the name of the pret
ty girl that lived on the first floor-whv
he didn't exactly know, save that he dc
sired to learn it and was more tina
charmed to find that it was "AIlle. Valen
tine"
Wanderings like these were not calcu
lateo to promote the perfections of tn
automatic brake.n The drawings wer
still. unfinished. 1t had become necessar
that his flame should be crowned wit
the briefest delay, for if our student wa
to continue to sigh in vain, he wante
to enter at once into the condition O
Resolate lover. The desolate lover i
him would kill the inventor, and i
conSequence-the veriest trihe to rciec
ted state of mind-kill all the traveller
whom otherwise it was the mission of hi
invention to save.
Such being the case, Pass ereaud, wht
was as reckless personally as he was de
voted to his fellow beings, made a care
ful examination of his poor wardrobe
dressed himself in the best of the 10
and descended to Valentines father, NJ
other, in fact, than NJ Lamantin, proprie
tor of this pretentious dwelling anc
bluntly addressed to him really | blusl
to transcribe it, it was so very innocent
the following request
81 have the honor, monsieur, of ask.
ing You for madcmoiselle, your daughter
hand"
"Eh' What? My daughters hand2
cried the old man, critically scannin;
Passereaud from head to foot; $50
whom, if you plcaseW
Myself, monsieur
or yourself-but are YOU not IN
locataire Of the top floor; way up thcr
under the eavesp
"The same, monsieur"
"1hen-what is amiss with your head
young MANI Know you not that m,
daughter has four million francs, tri
Hing detail that I'm good enough to i'm
part to you. -Four millions, understand
And you-what have you?"
" Nothing the inventor replied wit
the most ingenious frankness; the
added: 81 am not rich now, but if vo
will give me the hand of Mile. Valentino
believe me that my work will soon NOR
than meet my modest requirements"
"Be off! Be off, | say!" roared IL
iratc proprietor. rs it to make me IL
laughing stock of the town that you as
me for my daughters hand2 Quick, Q
with youl'
" But. see you, monsieur, if I'm not
return till my brake wins millions for m
tkn ,i-l- II E...l;...- AILI- L.-.----..