Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1892-10-27

the embarrassment would shortly cease,
and the little man would soon settle his
I.arrears, and perhaps accompany the set
Element with gratuity for the accommo-
dalton.
But Dominic was deceived in his cal
culation of time; ten mouths elapsed
without any allusion to the matter, or
offer of payment. The coffec-house
keeper and his walters began to shrug
their shoulders and make long faces at
the risk poor Dominic was running.
Dominic himself exposed to these daily
doubts, began TO think that he had acted
too literally in becoming responsible for
man whose debt seemed destined 10 90
ON accruing forever, when one day the
old man, without any explanation, de-
| handed his account, settled il in full.
and after a careful calculation handed TO
the waiter, In addition, TIE sum Of fif-
teen francs six sous as his gratuity, at
the rate of one sou day for ten months,
of which four contained thirty-one
days.
II interest alone had guided the con-
duct of the head waiter, it must be con-
fessed that he had lamentably failed in
| the result, for in France the contribu-
tions TO the walters are all placed in one
general cash box, and at the end of a GER
tain period the proceeds are divided
among all the servants of the house-thc
master first helping himself to the lions
| share; at this rate, therefore, Dominic's
recompense would probably amount to q
solitary sixpence. Dominic knew this,
but was satisfied with the reward of his
own heart; he thanked the old man gra-
ciously for the payment; placed the gra-
tuity in the common receptacle, and
transferred the other moneys to his own
stronghold, for he had previously paid,
day by day, the expenses of the breakfast
from his own pocket.
The little man followed Dominic's
movements with his eyes, at the same time
beating upon the table march, some
what longer and vehement than was his
wont; but by no word or movement did
he afford an indication of having under
stood the liberal conduct of the waiter
in his behalf
About the close OF the same year
three or four months after the liquidation
of this singular debt-thc proprietor of
the cafe, who had amassed fortune, an
nounced his intention of disposing of the
establishment and retiring from trade.
Hearing this intention announced in
the cafe, the old gentleman made sign
to Dominic, who was in attendance, TO
approach and began conversation.
Dominic was as much surprised at this
sudden fit of loquacity as though one
of the stucco figures on the ceiling had
opened its mouth and had asked for a
cup of coffee. But Dominic was des-
tined to be even more surprised at the
nature of the conversation.
"My friend" said the little old gentle
man to the head waiter, ''you are good
fellow, and wish you we'll"
Dominic bowed, and elevated his
shoulders with that slight movement
which may be interpreted ad libitum to
mean, II am much obliged" or lit is
of little consequence to me-" The old
man took the former explanation and
continued:
Dominic, I am sure you have been
economical; / know this and much
more of which do not speak, because l
am too well acquainted with the value of
words to throw them away know you
have saved money!"
Dominic bounded back q step or two,
and the action hardly needed to be in
terpreted. 'He is about to ask me I'll
lend him money" thought the head
waiter.
The questioner appeared to divine the
thoughts of the waiter; his visage was
for an instant distorted with grimace,
of which the model may be seen in the
t figures of the middle ages, which decor
. | Al - - - III,
Dominic, he continued, Il see that
, am right-you have money in the
funds. This is excellent; and now to
l reply to my question shortly and to tho
, purpose. Do you think, from your own
( knowledge, that an intelligent man, de-
sirous of improving his circumstances,
| would find this favorable speculation
g in which to risk capital so large as that
$ demanded by your master for his bust
ncssw
t Dominic was pleased to have an OPP
portunity of talking on subject which
: entirely occupied his thoughts. IF,
{ said he, "the purchaser understood the
business so as TO be able to attend to hi:
c own interests, and il he were not com
D PEELED to borrow the purchase money or
: extravagant terms, he would find the
business fortune"
t "Well, and why do you not purchase
: it?"
/, "Merch, / with what?'
, with your savings"
2 "With my savings they do not al
' together amount to ten thousand francs.
/ Ten thousand francs how long hav,
: YOU been in service, Dominica"
8 Il have carried the napkin for twenty
0 three years. am now thirty -nine."
: You are a good fellow, us said; thu
y man who could amass ten thousand franc
f by adding sou to sou would soon b.
IS worth million at the head of a hous
n like this. Decidedly it must be so
: Dominic, know person who could as
sist you with loan; how much do yo'
: wantH
It .Nothing. ! would not incur deb
) of two hundred and twenty thousan'
i francs-the risk is too great, ant
If the interest would probably absorb al
d the profit / would rather continue
It waiter few years longer, and retir
, upon small annuity, than running tn
n risk of marching to prison in the shoe
o of a bankrupt.
tc lyon speak sense, my friend, bu
,f leave the matter to me-"
The old man then adjusted the fold
.r of his boots, and departed without an
4 other word. The next morning he cam
lc half an hour earlier than was his custom
~ Dominic commenced arranging his table
d "Wherc is the proprietor" said he.
2. "In his cabinet, said Dominic.