Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-08-23
A MELOMANIAC.
How Capt. Tavernier Was TRANS
ferred to the Thirteenth"

! pletlOn OF the prescribed course.
Rene Tayernier graduated at the
head Of his class, and was consequent-
" free to embrace the civil career. To
every ones surprise. he preferred to
enter the artillery. In all scientific
requirements he ranked preeminent,
Int his records for military tactics and
horsemanship were deplorable, as was
also his want Of neatness and disci.
pline. lie would appear ON parade
without collar or minus his buttons,
which usually only chung to him by a
thread. lie 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 nstructing the men.
"Mr, Tavernier, you will report for
two DAYS under arrest. Return to the
line. You do not know your lessonp
"permit me to remark, captain, that
this is hardly the Wav to teach II To
me-"
you NAV take four DAYS more
"Delighted, captain, to see that YOU
appreciate the Justice of nv remark"
Why this singular fellow had chosen
a military career was mystery to his
companions who even then considered
him Slightly off,
Once assigned to a regiment. matters
were infinitely worse. Arrests rained
upon his indifferent head, 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 | met Tavernicr he was with
the Eighth artillery. stationed at Metz
lie seemed placid enourh, but his wide
open eyes had somewhat restless
glance, and his eccentricities had al
ready become proverbial in the regi-
ment.
He occupied an apartment consisting
Of a small bedroom and an enormous
parlor, scantly 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 a bottle Of absinthe,
one OF sirup, decanter Of water,
glasses, and plates heaped with sweets
and cakes. Ills orderly had instruc-
tons to replenish these provisions
every morning, for each afternoon they
were consumed by bevy of pretty
actresses chorus girls, and ballerinas,
whom the crazy captain" as they
called him, invited to a five o'clock.
These ladies' in more or less start
ling gowns, seemed to enjoy these
gatherings, where they disseeted their
neighbors' 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 a long coat of
light, figured material; in winter, a
wadded silk kimono. Turkish shoes
curved up at the toes, and a smoking
cap, Jauntily poised upon the back OF
MS head, completed lssihguiaf attlre'
Passing by each group he had a
word for each fair friend. Dear lady,
why did you not come yesterday?
was so uneasy about you my dear,
you are positively bewitching in that
hat Couldn't persuade my charm
ing friend to nibole just one more lit
Tie cake? etc linen, relapslng INTO
his haoitual silence, ne would continue
his walk completely ABSORBED in
thought
Nothing ever occurred at these some
what equivocal gatherings that would
not have been considered perfectly cor
rect in the best society Only once the
usual calm was disturbed by little
variety actress, who, III spirit of fun,
had brought Turkish fez with her
AS the captain passed her, she whipped
off his cap, and, substituting the fea,
cxclaimed "Behold the pasta"
A general laugh greeted this sally
Tayernier, at first surprised at this
iach oi resPect eofe Oh .he o'Iehaihg
heaooress' ne gre" paie' such ter
rioie expression crept INTO MS eyes,
.ha' 'he iigh,-hear'ea cuiprlt trembled
III rear anu her companions no longer
laughed
Al length' pointing 70 the door,
Iavernler Numbered forth these three
words, which sounded like an anathe-
ma from heaven
Leave my presence
AT the stroke OF i've, Iavernier
brusquely stopped in his walk,
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