Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1894-08-02
A MEL0MANIAC.
How Capt. Tavernier Was "rrans-
ferred to the Thirteenth"

f1o" capt. Tavernier Was "rrans-
ferred to the Thirteenth"
Inc pupils Of the Polytechnic School
OF france have queer way of express
ing the fact that one of their numbc,
mas become .derangcd. They saw of
she anlictcd man that he is Trans
1erred to the Thirteenth"-for it is
statistically true that every thirteenth
man succumbs to the severe mental
strain required for successful com
pletlon OF the prescribed course.
Rene Tavcrnier graduated at the
head of his class, and was consequent
~ Tree to embrace the civil career To
every ones surprise, he preferred to
enter the artillery. In all scientific
requirements he ranked precminent
out his records for military tactics and
horsemanship were deplorable, as was
also his want of neatness and disci-
pline' He would appear on. parade
without collar or minus his bu.tons,
which usually only clnng to him by a
thread. He would answer roll-call
long after the drum had ceased beat
ing, and then wonder why his appear
ance should create such disturbance.
In his opinion the captain had
queer way of instructing the men.
Mr.. Tavernier, you will report for
two lays under arrest Return to the
line. You do not know your lesson"
Permit me to remark, captain, that
this rs hardly the way to teach it to
me-"
You may take four days more"
Delighted, captain, to see that you
appreciate the justice of my remark"
Why this singular fellow had chosen
military career was mystery to his
companions, who even then considered
him slightly off"
Once assigned to regiment, matters
were infinitely worse Arrests raincd
upon his Indifferent hcad;- for he
whiled away his hours of captivity by
solving intricate problems destined for
publication, works which gained for
him complimentary letters from the
leading mathematical lights of Paris
When l met Tavernier, he was with
the Eighth artillery, stationed atMetz
He seemed placid enough, but his wide
open eyes had somewhat restless
glance, and his eceentricitics had al
ready become proverbial in the regi-
ment
He occupied an apartment consisting
of small bedroom and an enormous
parlor, scantily furnished with grand
piano placed between two windows
and round table in one corner. This
arrangement of things removed all
useless obstacles which Tavernier
might have encountered in his endless
walk up and down. On the table were
invariably placed bottle of absinthe,
one of sirup, decanter of water,
glasses, and plates hcaped with sweets
and cakes. His orderly had instruc-
tions to replenish these provisions
every morning for each afternoon they
were consumed by a bevy of pretty
actresses, chorus girls, and ballerinas,
whom the "crazy captain" as they
called him, invited to five o'clock. "
These ladies, in more or less start
ling rowns, seemed to enjoy these
gatherings, where they dissected their
neiphbors' regulations, Chartered, nib
bled cakes, and imbibed sweet wines,
while their host hands clasped behind
his back, walked through the long eX'
tent of the room.
In summer he wore long coat OF
light, figured material; in winter
wadd ed silk kimono. Turkish shoes
curved up at the toes, and smoking
cap, iauntily poised upon the back OF
his head, completed his singular attire
Passing by each group he had q
word for each fair friend. Dear lady
,vhv did YOU not come yesterday
was SO uneasy about you" MY dear
YOU are positively bewitching in tha'
hat couldn't / persuade my charm
;na friend to nibble just one more lit
t1e cal,e?" etc. Then, relapsing into
h;s bobitual silence, he would continue
b;s walk, completely absorbed II
thought.
Natb;np ever occurred at these some
..,ha+ eouiyocal gatherings that woule
mot have been considered perfectly cor
..oot - IN the best society. Only once th'
,,,i calm was disturbed by littl'
variety actress, who, in a spirlt Oh i%un %
va hroucht Turkish fea with her
As the captain passed her. she whipped
~ his cap, and, substituting the fez
o,n;med: on "Behold the pasha!"
A general laugh greeted this sally
rarernier, at first surprised at thi
,a,. iaSe - respect, tore off the offending
aSro.s iaon He grew pale; such ter
ma oxnression crcpt into his eyes
r,o.e . .he Iigbt-hearted culprit trcmble'
in fear, and her companions no i'"S =
laughed. ,..;,r to the door
,rrn;er numbered forth these three
lave rhicb sounded like an anathe
ma from heaven -
O Leave my presence e rovorr;e
A. tbe stroke of five iaVernie
,rnsouely Ms stopped in his ,',v walk. ,,.. ~,
DrusH" .,sir dcars," said he, "it breaks M, M
~ NY 20 interrupt your conversation
near y. forced TO leg for five minutes
silence" ;,dow. sat down be
,ore the piano, played Tor ,wo OVENS un w, 8
roro m;nutes, then leaned forward ;.hont "nAiO"'
minu.e9' 70 the sounds without
~, IV;usn instrument, and again executes