Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-07-23

U1eUI o. DE1UVUks Nc ~ut98A@VA- W.
lcctor lived alone. He wassa man Of
about sixty yars Of age Armand looked
at him critically. tl So ~ r1yn
II wish TO speak to M. Bridoux."
y ''That'smy name, sir.R n i if
A'I wish to see you on . serious
affair" 5000 gas
"Come In" said Bridoux. ghe
Armnnd entered, ana Bridoux offered
him q chair. tlp
SIR said Armand, II have heard
Of You as being one of the most erudite
autograph-eollectors In Paris, and !
wish to show you something very rare
an autograph Of the Empress Marie
Louise" .ra so slas
So saying. Armand unbutt0ned his
coat, carefully took out his lnnk pocket
book, and from It took the ietter,which
be placed under the eyes Of the auto
graph-cOllctor. VOL ri
Brldoux read 1t, unused, and said:l
1t Is very short. You say that those
characters are from the hands Of the
Empress Marie Louis! Her autographs
are very rare. 'f =
'Itfis authentic. The empress adj
dressed 1t to the great Napoleon the
day after the battle of Lutzen. II
"But the emperor lived ut the Tuile-
ries. then
Certainly, sir, and that observation
proves your intimate knowledge OF the
history of, the time. But, II you will
remember, during the absence Of the
Little Corporal. as he whirled from bat
tle-fcld TO battlefield the empress was
in the habit OF retiring to the Louvre.'
Bridoux was evidently fiattered at his
historical knowledge being praised;
but. rubbing his nose refectively, he
said:
How did the letter fall into your
hands?' afei1'
"Oh, In the most natural mSnner In
the world. got the letter from my
father. who got 1t from my grandfather.
My grandfather-a soldier of the EN-
'p're, and fanatic admirer of Napoleon
picked up this letter one day when 1t
had fallen from the pocket OF the great
man, and preserved 1T as precious
relic. Sir, nothing but the most urgent
need would force me to sell 1t. But l
must have one hundred francs.srItris
for me question or life and death.
Nevertheless, lbeg, yon to, believe am
patriotic, TOT IL come 10 you, II Is be-
cause you are French, ana because, IL
you purchase 1t this precious docu-
ment VIII remain In my country. could
nave had ten times the price l asked
you. just now an Englishman tried TO
buy 1t on any terms. lie Followed me,
even logging my steps to the door OF
this house 1904 Sd. itlz faolsaH
But Bridoux evidently did not appear
IN hurry TO Dind the bargain.
1 would Willingly BUY IT, but wish
10 consult an expert hist
i regret, SIT, replied Armand, that
cannot wait" lie turned cold, inside
as ne SAID 10 himseif: Iiiis analr Is
gong TO ran through IL Jules does not
hurry up"
AT TINS moment the door-beil rang.
bridoux went TO open It. Jules entered.
lie was unrecognizable Ills nat was
on the back OF MS head, ms toat was
puttoneu 10 the chin, AMI ne hau OH 4
PAIR Oh long req whisKers not unlike
those which acorn the EnSl,sh tourists
VINO travei around with those queer
personally conducted parties.
Al the sight OF TINS curious parsonage,
the au'ograph-coiiector stared IN stupe-
iaction.
Pardon me- said the false English
man. WISH 10 speak 10 inc GENRE
man won just came INTO your mousse.
brluouX was ABOUT 10 reply, when AT
mand interrupted.
How, said he, you here again.
man:
yes. VIII give you TWO hundred
francs Tor your letter. -ss...,s..,,
but told you would nor sell It.
i VIII give you fve hundred friincs."
Il tel you. sir, that am already max
ing bargain with this gentleman
4 VIII give you thousand francs.
Il beg you, SIT, TO leave me room"
very well,, SAID the 'aise Ehgils-
hhi"n, win "uiI LII !o' o"'''"c VIC
door, but must have that autograph,
anu ne ieIt
on see, SIlu ArEltltI 10 ijrluOIX,