Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-08-13

which looked as il it might have been
worried by family of playful puppies.
Still, it was evident that this unfor-
tunate man was not discouraged or dis
pairing, for in all his misery there was
certain care and cleanliness not usually
apparent in men of his class.
As he passed before Vigneron, res
taurant very fashionable, he stopped for
few seconds to look in at the clear win
dows with their guipure hangiugS
through which he could see the diners
seated opposite to richly-dressed ladies,
and dividing their attentions between
sheexquisite viands and their fair con.
panions. AT this moment gentleman
aud lady got out of carriage aud
entered the dining room. Through the
open door the shabby mau could see a
centre table laden with fruits and
early vegetables, while toward him
waited that odor of repast, so dis
agreeable to those who have just dined,
so delectable TO the hungry.
He advanced, and before the door
closed, entered and timidly placed him
self at the first empty table.
But he was scarcely seated when the
head waiter, a very distinguished and
stylish looking individual, perceived him
and hurried toward him with an expires.
sion of annoyance.
"What are you doing there, you?"
"Why, replied the unfortunate, point
ing to the other guests, 81 come to eat,
like all the people"
He spoke so seriously that it was i'm
possible to think he had been drinking.
The head waiter concluded that he must
be weak minded, and said sarcastically
''You have mistaken the hour and the
door, my good man; the soup kitchen is
around the corner, and the soup is dis
pensed IN the morning" He shook
his napkin at the intruder tc
chase him of, as one would a
troublesome fly. His appearance GER
tainly did not grace the establishment.
But the other did not seem disposed to
quit his place.
81 don't care much for SOUP" he an
swered, "and the food given out in the
morning would not suit me-"
The head. waiter was struck with the
purity of his accent and the refinement
of his tone. "Thig is no born vaga-
bond" he thought; cit is some man of
positiop. ruined bv oamblino.p
"And," continued the shabby one,
"there is no reason why you should not
serve me a dinner when l am ready to
nav for it. There-if YOU have anv
doubt-there is NV pocket-book. He
opened his old coat, and from an inside
pocket drew out a pocket-book stuffed
with bank-notes. Selecting one. he
handed it to the waiter.
you NAV look at it closely. Won will
see that it is not A counterfeit y
It WAS a note for 4 thousand francs j..
and there were at least fifty others in the
purse, to Judge from its volume. The
waiter took if. and scrutinized it for
several instants, with wide nostrils aud
mcditative frown. Then abruptly rails.
inr his head, like man who makes a
prudent resolution. he returned the bank
note to its owner.
The latter made movement az if to
rise. SAVING.
Now if YOU refuse TO serve me. I will
90 elsewhere.
But the head waiter quickly barge
him to remain.
mo. no; stay. Give your order
Then calling one of his suborlinates. he
pointed to tae mau. s'Take this gentie.
mans order, adding RAPIDLY in a low
tone, "Do not lose sight of him. Do
not let him 90 out" He presently dis.
appeared.
Five minutes later, he returned, ac
companied by policeman.
All of the occupants of the restaurant
had opened their eyes wide when the
yagabond installed himself at the table,
and had watched him since then with
marked disapproval. No one doubted
that it was he whom the officer had come
to seek, end every head was turned to
see what was going to happen.
Sure enough, the officer went directly
toward him He continued to enjoy a
savory slice without seeming to notice
the sensation he had created. He even
started, ike one suddenly awakened,
when the officer in uniform touched his
shoulder.
"Eh! What2 Is anything the mat.
teri" He did not seem to understand.
They explained. Bank notes for
thousand francs were not usually pro.
duced from such pockets as his. To
have them he must have stolen theml
He defended himself energetica;ty;
but his protestatious we're in vain.
eI doubt if you can show sinole
paper or certificate OF character!" Oh.
served the agent.
at is true; | cannot. But probably
none of these people present can imme.
diatelv produce passports or proofs for
Identification.