Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-16
STORY OF A POTATO.

Mile Aglao, millincr by trade was
sitting one fine Sunday morning by the
open window pcclng potatoes. The win
dow was on the fifth floor and looked out
on the Rue Lcpic Suddenly one of tho
potatoes slipped through her fingers, drop
ped over the edge of the window sill and
disappeared into space 1t fell with n bang
upon a gentleman who was passing be-
meath and made deep dent in his elegant
silk hat.
This gentleman, who had only just been
to pay bill at his hatter's, was seized
with sudden and uncomfortable fury.
He glanced mp at the house, and, seeing
a window ON the fifth story shut down
hurriedly with a bang, he forgot every
thing in his rage and made rush for tho
front door, opened it, tore through it and
ran precipitatcly up stairs with no other
intention than making the guilty person
suffer for his clumsincss
1t took him but two seconds to reach
the landing on the second floor, when
door suddenly opened and q person rushed
out in great hurry and fell heavily into
his arms
The two men eyed each other for n mo-
ment with angry and astonished looks,
ready to abuse each other, when both ST
multaneously uttered an exclamation Of
surprise.
"Anatole!"
"Edgar!''
Anatolc Baudruche and Edgar Briohc-
ton were two old college chums. They had
not met since the day when they took their
bachelor Of arts degree together, - years
before. In spite of this long interval in
their intercourse they found on the occa-
sion of this sudden meeting that they had
very little ready change of conversation.
Edgar was the first to speak.
Say, your hat looks very pretty" he
said
"Do not speak of it, 1t has just served
as a target for potato that fell from the
fifth story"
And now you are going up stairs to re-
store the potato to its owner? That's very
nice of you"
mot by any means! I'm going up to
charge the clumsy devil with his crime,
try to make him pay for a new hat"
"Well, so far as that is concerned, you
might as well tackle corpse"
And why, if you please?"
" Because old Bidoche is an old hedge
hog, who will kick you down stairs, even
If he opens the door to you at all. D."
'Old Bidoche?"
"Yes the man you are after for it can
be no other than he. All the tenants in
the building are always having trouble
with him. One might think that he made
point to be as disagreeable to every one
as he possibly can"
"Then do you live in this housei"
mo, but an aunt of mine does, and
scarcely day passes without her havinga
scrap with old Bidoche If you will allow
q, me- 1 will go up with you. Two heads are
better than one in matter like this"
So Edgar and Anatole went up another
three flights together and stopped outside
a door through which came softly the
sounds of a melodious musical instrument
"This is the ROOM" said Edgar.
Hes practicing on the bassoon."
With these words he pulled the bell, and
the bassoon suddenly ceased. Then the
shuflling of feet was heard and there
framed in the doorway, stood little old
man with benevolent smiling face and
large sized bassoon resting across one arm.
What do the gentlemen desireY' asked
the little old man.
IN. Bidoche," replied Edgar. Eyes
the wretched Bidoche," added Anatole
shaking his ruined hat in one hand and
with the other placing the potato on the
tip of the musicians nose"
IN. Bidochei" replied the old man po-
litely. II dom know him. Inever heard
of him."
Whats that? What's that2" cried Ed
gar. Are you trying to deceive usP'
Not at ALL" answered the old man
quietly.
@There must be mistake somewhere.