The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1895-08-24

~".Who takes up the 1000 louis?''
"I do!'' cried Gastambide,. with an
exuberant gesture. ....>...
The next day about 7 O'Clock in the
evening, when the boulevards swarm
ed with people and the restaurants be-
gan to. fill up, shabby wretch made
his way through the crowd with bent
head and watchful gaze, picking up
here and there the cigar ends that
others threw away.
The man was still young and had
evidently fallen from higher rank to
Judge from the distinction OF his pale,
refined face, his patrician hands, his
general bearing: Very tall and thin,
ne must once have been an elegant
figure in society. Now he was reduc-
ed-by what vice or misfortune? Ito
old shoes with broken elastics, down
at the heel and patched on the toe, to
trousers shiny at the knees and fray
ed around the hens; to wretched
coat, faded and worn, which was but
toned to the throat to conceal the
lack of linen.
An old felt hat, which looked as if it
might have been fished from arubbish
heap, slouched over his head, and per-
haps to give himself the illusion OF a
shirt collar, or maybe under the inf1u-
ence OF old habit, he had tied around
his neck an cid black silk cravat
which looked as if it might have been
worried by family ofplayfu puppies.
Still it was evident that this unfor-
tunate man was not DISCOURAGED or
deSpalrlng. for in all his misery there
Il
usually apparent in men of his class.
AS he passed before Vigneron, a. res
taurant then very fashionable, he
STOPPED for a few seconds to look in
at the clear windows, with their
guipure hangings, through which he
could see the diners seated opposite
to rlchlydressed ladies and dividing
their attentions between the exquisite
viands and their fair companions. At
this moment a gentleman and lady
got out OF carriage and entered tn.
dining room. Throu2h the open door
the shabby man could see q centre
table laden with fruits and early vegs-
tables, while toward him wafs ed that
odor OF repast so disagreeable to those
who, have just dined, so delectable to
the hungry
He advanced and before the door
closed entered and timidly placed him
self at the first empty table.
But be was scarcely seated when the
head waiter, a distinguished and styl-
lsh looking individual, per eived him
and hurried toward him with an,ex-
preston Of annoy 5szssss
WHAT are you doing there, you!" n
":Why," replied the unfortunate,
pointing to the other guests, ~ come
to eat like all these people?'
tie spoke SO seriously that it was
impossible to think he had been drink
ing. The head waiter concluded
that he must be weak-minded, and
said sarcastically:
"YOu have mistaken the hour and
the door, my good man; the soup
kitchen ls around the corner and the
soup is dispensed in the morning. He
shook his napkin at .he intruder to
chase him off, as one would troubl-
some f1y. His appearance certainly
did not grace the establishment. But
the other did not seem disposed to
quit the place.
IL don care much for soup,'' he
answered, land the food given out in
the morning would not suit me-"
The head waiter was struck with the
purity OF his accent and the refine
ment OF his tone. "This is no born
vagabond," he thought: 'it is some
man OF position, ruined by gambl-
ing"
"And," continued the shabby one,
There IS no reason why you should
not serve me dinner when [ am ready
to pay for it. There-if YOU have
any doubt-there is my pocketbook."
He opened his old coat and from an
inside pocket drew out a pocketbook
stuffed with bank notes. SELECTING
one he handed it to the waiter.
You may look at it closely: Won
Will see 1t is not a counterfeit
1t was anote for a thousand francs.
and there were at least fifty others in
the purse to Judge from it's volume:
The waiter took it and scrutinized it
for several instants with wide nostrils
and medltative crown. Then abrupt.
ly raising his head, like a man who
makes a prudent resolution, he re-
turned the bank note to it's owner,
The latter made a movement AZ. #
to rise saying:
.s.Now if you refuse to serve me I
will 90 elsewhere"
But the head waiter quickly begged
him to remain.
mo, no; stay. Give your order"
Then calling one OF his subordinates he
pointed to the man stTake this
gentleman's order,' adding rapidly in
low tone, ''Do not lose sig ght OF him.
Do not let him go OUT He present.
ly Disappeared -. -A --
Five minutes later he returned ac-
companied by a policeman. :; - ~ :,
All the occupants Of the restaurant
had opened their eyes when the yaga-
bond installed himself at the table,
| and had watched him with marked
| disapproval. No one doubted that it
was he whom the officer had come to
! seek, and every head was turned to
see what was going to Happen. =
Sure enough, the officer went direct-
" toward him.. He continued to en-
10y q savory slice without seeming to
notice the sensation he had created.
He even started like one suddenly