Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-07-22
A PRINCES WAGER.


Prince Edmond de Karinval was one Of
the most brilliant frequenters of the Boule-
ward DIES Italiens.
Very blond, pale tall and slender, i'm
perturbably phlegmatic-a temperament
touching zero-with the aid of his enor-
nous fortune he amused society by his
freaks and fances, even condescending oc-
casionally to astound the populace.
One evening he gave grand dinner at
his own mansion; the cheer was exquisite
and the dessert was served in whirl of
gayety.
every well; let us wager" cried the
prince suddenly, replying to a challenge
from the opposite end of the table, that
without having stolen, murdered, injured
my fellow beings in any way, without hav-.
ing committed any sort of crime broken
any law or regulation, | get myself ar
rested when | please and dragged to a
station like a vagabond, thief an as
sassnr
He spoke in the icy tone from which he
never departed, even when making the
most extraordinary statements or PROPOSE
tions, and his words cut clearly through
the laughter and conversation. Every one
turned toward him in surprise. During
the silence which followed he added:
II wager 1900 Louisville will take it
upS"
There were wealthy men around the
board, we'll used to heavy stakes, but the
magnitude of the sum startled them. Be.
fore taking up the wager they wished to
determine the conditions clearly
"There is no double meaning?-no play
of words or anything like thatS" queried
the fat Duke de Morvella.
Not in the least" replied the prince; 81
give you my word as a gentleman"
But" suggested another, you will
probably proceed to do one of those actions
which, without being classed as offenses,
yet arouse the police. AS for example you
will show yourself in public in such an ex-
travagant or remarkable costume that you
will be followed by crowd of jeerng
urchins, and to put stop to the disorder
an officer will be obliged to conduct you to
station, where he will lend you less con-
spicuous attire"
you are quite wrong" replied de Ka.
rival, 'for if | should get myself taken up
for wearing some extraordinary costume,
the officer would know very well that he
had only to deal with an eccentric charac
ter, an oddity otherwise inoffensive. No;
l tell you they will grasp me by the collar
and drag me to the station believing they
be perfectly innocent of any fault or mis-
demeanor, transgressing no enactment"
"Well, then, how will you 90 about it?"
exclaimed Gastambide the banker, who
was very nervous and excitable.
"Ah, that's my secret! You can under
stand that if | told you that before
hand'-
"Of coursep' interrupted Gastambde.
"but have it now You will tap police
man on the shoulder saying: old fellow,
Pm your man. have killed all my family
in moment of frenzy. Remorse is chok-
ing me. Take me up, old fellow, let the
law do its worstp"
They shouted with laughter The idea
of the Prince de Karinval tapping police
man on the shoulder, calling him ''old fell
low" and begging relief for his remorse
awoke the widest merriment. The prince
alone preserved his cool gravity. He ex-
| planned quietly to the impetuous banker
that his intention was not only to abstain
from evildoing, but even to avoid any
words or actions capable of provoking his
arrest. And he repeated
"Who takes up the 1900 louisW
IL do' cried Gastambide with an exub
Grant gesture.
The next day, about O'Clock in the
|
with people and the restaurants began tC
fill up, shabby wretch made his way
through the crowd with bent head and
watchful gaze, picking up here and Their,
the cigar ends that others throw away.
The man was still young and had evi
IDENTIFY fallen from higher rank, to judge
from the distinction of his pale, refined
face, his patrician hands, his general bear
ing Very tall and thin, he must one,
have been an elegant figure in society
Now he WAS reduced-by what vice or mis-
fortune?-to old shoes with broken elastics
down at the heel and patched on the toe
to trousers shiny at the knees and frayet
around the hens; to n wretched coat
faded and worn, which was buttoned u
the throat to conceal the lack of linen. Al
old felt hat, which looked as if it Nigh
have been fished from a rubbish heap
slouched over his head and Perhaps t,
give himself the illusion of shirt collar
or maybe under the influence of old habit
he had tied around his neck an old blacl
silk cravat which looked as if it NIGH
have been worried by family of playful
: puppies.
Still it was evident that this unfortunat
man was not discouraged or despairing
for in all his misery there was n certai
care and cleanliness not usually apparen
in men of his class
AS he passed before Vigneron, restau
rant then very fashionable, he stopped 70
Il few seconds to look in at the clear wiz
lows with their guipure hangings, throug
which he could see the diners seated opp,
site To richly dressed ladies and dividin
their attentions between the eXquisit
viands and their fair companions. At thi
moment o. gent letuap and lady got ont of
carriage and entered the dining room
Through the open door the shabby ma
could see center table laden with fruit
and early vegetables, while toward hii
waited that odor of repast so disagreeabl
, TO those who have just dined, so delectab
', TO the hungry
He advanced aud before the door close
entered and timidly placed himself at I'll
first empty table.
But he was scarcely seated when u
head waiter. n very distinguished an