St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1892-12-31

feeling: Eominic determined to become
responsible to the proprietor for the past
and future breakfasts, not doubling that
the embarrassment. would; shortly. cease,
and the little man would soon settle. his
arrears, and perhaps accompany. the. set
Element will. a gratuity for the accommo-
datlon.- !: :,[..> ,:>:E e.:
=: But Dominic was deceived in his cal
| culation of time; ten mouths elapsed
| without any allusion to the matter, or
| offer of payment. The coffee-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
fl man whose debt seemed destined 10 go
on accruing forever, when one day the
old man, without any explanation, de-
manded his account, settled it in full,
and after careful calculation handed to
the waiter, in addition, the sum of ff-
teen francs six sous as his gratuity, at
the rate of one sou day for ten months,
of which four contained thirty one
days.
If 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-the
master first hel ping himself to the lions
share; at this rate, therefore, Dominics
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 a 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-the 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 a 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
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 ''it is
of little consequence to me-" The old
man took the former explanation and
continued:
Dominic, am sure you have been
economical; | know this and much
more of which | do not speak, because /
am too we'll acquainted with the value Of
words to throw them away know you
have saved money!"
Dominic bounded back step or two
and the action hardly needed to be in
terpreted. "He is about to ask me to
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
figures of the middle ages, which decor
ate the porch of some Gothic church.
Dominic" he continued, II see that
| am right-you have money in the
funds. This is excellent: and now to
reply to my question shortly and to the
purpose. Do you think, from your own
knowledge, that an intelligent man, de-
sirous of improving his circumstances,
would find this a favorable speculation
in which to risk capital so large as that
demanded by your master for his bust
ness!'
Dominic was pleased to have an OPP
portunity of talking on a subject which
entirely occupied his thoughts. 'If,"
said he, "the purchaser understood the
business so as to be able to attend to his
own interests, and if he were not com
PEELED to borrow the purchase money on
extravagant terms, he would find the
business fortune
"Well, and why do you not purchase
it?n
"Merch, I! with what?'
"With your savings"
with my savings they do not al
together amount to ten thousand francs.'
"Ten thousand francs. how long have
you been in service, Dominica
II have carried the napkin for twenty
three years. ! am now tbirty-nine."
''You are good fellow. as I said; the
man who could amasst ten thousand francs
by adding sou TO. soy would soon be |
worth million at. the head of a house |
like this. Decidedly it must be SO.
Dominic. know;a person who could as
sist you with loan; how much do you
''Notbing. would not incur debt
Of two hundred and twenty thousand
francs-the xisk Is too. great, and
the interest would probably absorb all
the profit. | woalld rather continue a |
waiter few years longer, and retire
upon small annuity, than running the !
risk of marching 10 prison in the shoes
Of bankrupt"
"You speak sense, my friend. but
leave the matter to me- !
The old man then adjusted the folds
of his boots, and departed without an.
other word. The next morning he came