Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21


ment for smaller delinquents; and there he
would have pursued a useful and healthy
calling for a lengthy period, the exact
length having been fixed by the judges of
the supreme court. But NJ. Godefroy
showed him out relentlessly, notwithstand-
ing his importance-it was absolutely neces-
sary to be at the bourse at IL o'clock-and
went into the dining ROOM
1t was q hxuriously furnished room The
furniture and plate would have served to
endow cathedral. Nevertheless, notwith-
standing that NJ Godefroy took a gulp Of
bcarbonate of soda, his indigestion refused
to subside, consequently the banker could
only take the scantiest breakfast--that
Of dyspeptic. In the midst of such lux
ury, and under the eye Of well-paid but
Ter. NJ. Godefroy could only eat couple OF
boiled eggs aud nibble a little mutton chop.
The man of money trifed with dessert
took only crumb of Roquefort-not more
than two cents worth. Then the door
opened, and an overdressed but charming
little child-young Raoul, four years old
the son of the company director, entered
the room. accompanied by his German
nursery governess.
This event occurred every day at the same
hour-a quarter to II precisely. while the
carriage which was to take the banker to
the bourse was awaiting the gentleman
who had only quarter of an hour to give
to paternal sentiment 1t was not that he
did not love his son. He did love him
nay. he adored him. in his own way. But
then. you know business is business.
wordly-wise and "blase,' he had fancied
himself in love with the daughter of one of
his club friends-Marquis de Neufontaine,
an old rascal-a nobleman, but one whose
card playing was more than open to sus-
picion. and who would have been expelled
from the club more than once, but for the
influence Of NJ. Godefroy. The nobleman
was only too happy to become the father
in-law of a man who would pay his debts,
and without any scruples he handed over
his daugbter-a simple and ingenious child
Of seventeen, who was taken from a con-
vent to he married-to the worldly banker.
The girl was certainly sweet and pretty,
but she had dowry except numerous
aristvcratic prejudiceS and romantic illu-
sions. and her father thought he was fortu-
nate in getting rid of her on such favorable
terms. NJ. Godefroy, who was the son of
an avowed old miser of Andely. had al.
ways remained a man of the people. and
intensely vulgar. In spite Of his improved
circumstances, he had not improved. His
entire lack of tact and refinement was
painful to his young wife. whose tenderest
feelings he rulhlessly and thoughtessly
trampled upon. Things were looking I'M
promising. when, happily for her, Mad
anne Godefroy died in giving birth to her
frst-born. When he spoke Of his deceased
wife, the banker waxed poetical, although,
had she lived, they would have been d.
vorced in six months. His son he loved
dearly for several reasons-drst, because
the child was an only son: secondly. be-
cause he was a scion of two such houses
as Godefroy and Neufontaine; finally, be-
cause the man of money had naturally
great respect for the heir of n any millions
So the youngstnr had golden rattles and
ether similar toys, and was brought up
ike a young Dauphin. But his father,
overwhelmed with business worries, could
never give the child more than fifteen min
ties per day of his precious time-and, as
on the day mentioned, it was always dur
ing 'cheese"-and for the rest of the day
the father abandoned the child to the care
OF the servants.
Good morning, Raoul"
Good morning, papa"
And the company director. having put his
serviette away set young Raoul on his
left knee, took the chid's head between
his big paws. and in stroking and kissing
1t actually forgot all his money matters
and even his note of the afternoon, which
was Of great Importance to him. as by 1t
he could gain quite an important amount
of patronage.
Papa" said little Raoul, suddenly, will
Father Christmas put anything in my shoe
tonighI?"
The father answered with "Yes. If you
are good child" This was very striking
from a man who was a pronounced free
thinker. who always applauded every anti
clerical attack in the chamber with a Wig
orous Hear, hear" He made a mental
note that he must buy some toys for his
child that very afternoon.
Then he turned to the nursery governess
with:
Are you qu tie satisfied with Raoul. Mad
emoiselle Bertha?
Mademoiselle Bertha became as red as a
peony at being addressed. If the ques-
ton were scarcely CONNIE IL faut," and
replied by little imbecile Singer.
ITS fine day." said the f1nancier. but
cold. If you take Raoul to Monceau Park,
mademoiselle,. please be careful to wrap
him up we'll"
Mademoselle, by a second fit of idiotic
doubts and fears on that essential point,
he kissed his child, left the room hastily
and In the hall was enveloped in his fur
coat by Charles. who also closed the car
riage door. Then the faithful fellow went
off to the cafe which he frequented, Rue
de Miromesnil. where he had promised
to meet the coachman of the baroness who
lived opposite. to play game of billiards,
thirty up-and spot-barred of course.
Thanks to the brown baylor which a.
thousand francs over and above it's value
was paid by NJ. Godefroy as a result of
sumptuous snail-supper given to that gen.
thanks to the expensive brown bay, which
certainly went well. the fnancier was able
to get through his many engagements sat
isfactorly. He appeared punctually at the
bourse, sat at several committee tables,
and a. a quarter to s. by voting with the
ministry. he helped to reassure France and
Europe that the rumors of a ministerial
crisis had been totally unfounded. He
voted with the ministry because he had
succeeded In obtaining the favors which
ne demanded as the price of his vote
After he had thus nobly fulfilled his duty
to himself and country, NJ. Godefroy re-
membered what he had said to his child on
the subject Of Father Christmas, and gave
his coachman the address of dealer in
toys. There he bought, and had put in
his carriage, fantastic rocking horse,
mounted on castors-a whip in each ear, a
box of leaden solders-all as exactly alike
as those grenadiers of the Russian regi-
ment of the time of Paul I, who all had
black hair and snub noses. and a score of
other toys. all equally striking and costly
Then, as he returned home. softly reposing
in his well-swung carriage. the rich banker
who. after all. was father began to think
with pride Of his little boy and to form
plans for his future.
When the child grew up he should have
an education worthy Of prince, and he
would be one. too, for there was no longer
any aristocracy except that of money. and
mis- boy would have a capital Of about 80
100000 francs. If his father, pettifog-
ging provincial lawyer who had formerly
dined in the Latin quarter when in Paris,
who had remarked every evening when put
ting on white tie that he looked as fine
as if he were going to a weddng-if he
had been able to accumulate an enormous
fortune, and to become thereby a power
In the republic; If he had been able to OBJ
tain in marriage a young lady, one of