Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-22
HE KNEW LOVES SIGNS.
Monsieur Laments to His Young Gus.
toner Some of the Results of Marriage
From the New York Sum-

Monsieur Laments to His Young Gus
toner Some of the Results of Marriage
From the New York Sun.
Bon jour, Monsieur Taylor"
The person thus saluted 10y the learned
barber was tall, athletic young man. with
blond hair and a pointed blond beard. He
was dressed with exquisite care, oven to
the size of the bunch of white carnations
in his buttonhole. His gloves were brand
new, the crease in his trousers was almost
obtrusive, and his patent feathers shone
spotless. although Broadway was muddy.
He returned monsieur's salutation, but
seemed preoCcupied as he removed his coat
and seated himself in monsieur's chair.
1t was in the afternoon, and the atelier
was deserted save for the young man and
the learned barber, the assistants having
stepped out for a time. Monsieur looked
strangely at his customer, his expression
containing a mixture of amusement and
sadness; but Mr.. Taylor did not notice this,
being buried in his own thoughts. Mon
sieur clicked his shears in way that in
dicated that he, too, was thinking deeply.
Finally he said:
Monsieur Taylor, let me congratulate
you"
Mr.. Taylor bounced up in his chair as
though he had been struck, and his face
flushed.
"Wh-what's that?" he stammered.
Pardon my familiarity, Monsieur Tay-
lor," said the barber, with smile that bad
a trace of mockery in it, but you know We
are old friends. l merely extended to you
my congratulations"
oh" said Mr.. Taylor, whose wits were
not fully re-established, II am much
obliged to you, / am sure; but what do you
i mean how-oh, hang it all, Henri, what
are you talking about. anyhow"
Il congratulate you, Monsieur Taylor"
said the barber, speaking slowly and ac-
n vi &c nr1es mil at 80 hfo
shears, lat your possession of The grand
passion. / am sure she is worthy Of 1T,
and am equally sure that you will be sue
cessful. Mon Dieu, it would be a capricious
lady indeed that would refuse the suit Of a
handsome yoHnG man like you, and with
such a beard, loo."
Say, Henri" interrupted Mr. Taylor
sitting bolt upright, and not certain wheth-
err to be angry or not, stop that nonsense
will your"
Pardon. me, Monsieur Taylor" said the
barber, gravely and with dignity; Il regret
ii l have been misunderstood"
ooh, hang it, old man. replied Mr.. Tay-
lor; don't get huffy--I don't ike to jest
about"
Monsieur 1 never jest on sacred sub
jects.'
There was a concealed twinkle in his eyes
that almost belied the assertion, but Mr..
Taylor did not see ii, and monsieur added
Il assure you, monsieur, was most sim
cere in wishing you success"
There was silence for some moments, and
1t was evident, from the working of Mr..
Taylors face, that he was doing some rapid
thinking.
Il say Henri" he said. in a subdued
voice, 'how did you know it?'
"Ah, Monsieur Taylor, / am a student of
human nature"
''Oh, come now, tell me the ruth. Did
you see me with her? Isn't she an angelr'
Undoubtedly, Monsieur Taylor. she is
that, although ] never saw her"
We'll, how in the dickens did you know,
then? Nobody knows yet.
VI. lie barber laughed heartily.
Monsieur Taylor" he said, ''let me ask
you question. How many times have you
had your beard trimmed in the past
month"
u don't know. am sure" said Mr. Tay-
f%: MOI n0'h 0f'eher than usual have
''You are forgetful." returned the barber
II Will tell You. You have been here five
times a week. and sometimes twice in the
same day. Formerly you rame once a
week. Can anything be plaincr?"
by Joye! never thought of that"
And now, Monsieur Taylor, l will make
prediction. When does the happy event
occur?"
EARLY in February. The date has not
been fixed yet"
Very well. Now mark you. You will
continue to come here almost every day I'M
III then. You will insist that every hair
shall be in its proper place and proportion,
and that the mustache shall have it's most
graceful curl. And after you are married
you Will go on your honeymoon looking
like an Apollo, and then you will forget
that fy years Of effort and thought 1 have
furnished you with a beard that IS a tri-
uniph of art, an inspiration to the lover of
the beautiful. When you return you will
come TO see me again, at first once In a
week, then once in two weeks, and after
that it Will be more likely once in a month,
or thereabouts. or possibly you will forget
what GU owe to me and 20 to one of those
German BARRIERS"
Monsieur had become very earnest and
almost sad, and when Mr.. Taylor remon-
stratei that he was mistaken. he barely
needed min, but added:
And therefore, Monsieur Taylor must
tell you, frankly, that / view your ap-
preaching happiness with a mingling of
pleasure and regret. Would it not be so
with you if you had toilsd and striven and
seen your work grow more and more beau
tlful under your eyes. and then suddenly
without fault Of your own, had seen ali
that you had accomplished DESTROYED
through the sheer Indifference Of another?
or course, natures differ. All the world
has not my artistic instinct. Do not think
am ungallant, monsieur, but cannot help
thinking that W oman, beautiful and tender
as she Is. often brings mans hest efforts
to naught. With lovely woman In pos
session or your heart and mind monsieur
1t will be impossible for you to remember
me, your old friend; but / nm accustomed
to ingratitude, and"
The rest of monsieurs reflections were
lost In the rapid clicking of his shears.
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