Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-07-09

apartment of Bridoux. he was man
of about 60 years OF age, Armand
looked at him critically.
Il wish to speak to M. BridouN.
That's my name, sir
Il wish to see you on a serious afr'
fair"
Come in, said Bridoux.
Armand entered and Bridoux offered
him chair
Sir said Armand, II have heard
OF YOU as being one of the most erndite|
autograph collectors in Paris, ana
wish TO show you something very rare
-an autograph OF the Empress Marie
Louise.
So saying, Armand unbuttoned his
coat, carefully took out his lanK
pocketbook, and from it took the letter
which he placed under the eyes of the
autograph collector.
Bridoux read il, unused, and said
ut is very short. You say that those
characters are from the hands of the
Empress Marie Louise? Her auto
graphs are very rare"
at is authentic. The empress adj
dressed 1t to the great Napoleon the
day after the battle of Lutzen."
But the emperor lived at the Tuile-
ries then"
Certainly, sir and that observation
proves your intimate knowledge Of the
history of the time But IL you will
remember, during the absence of the
Little Corporal as he whirled from
battlefield to battlefield, the empress
was in the habit of retiring to the
Louvre"
Bridoux was evidently fattered at
his historical knowledge being praised;
but, rubbing his nose refectively, he
said:
How did the letter fall into your
hands,
ooh, in the most natural manner in
the world | got the letter from my
father, who got 1t from my grand
father. My grandfather soldier o.
the empire, and fanatic admirer Of
Napoleon picked mp this letter one
day when it had fallen from the pocket
of the great man, and preserved II
as a precious relic. Sir, nothing but
the most urgent need would force me
to sell 1t. But | must have 100 francs.
1t is for me a question of life and
death. Nevertheless, ! beg you to be-
lIeve | am patriotic. for il come TO
you it is because you are French, and
because, If you purchase it, this pre-
cious document will remain in my
country. | could have had ten times
the price ] asked YOU Just now IN
Englishman tried to buy it on any
terms. He followed me, even logging
my steps to the door Of this house"
But Bridoux evidently did not APP
pear in hurry to bind the bargain.
Il would willingly buy it, but ] wish
to consult All expert first"
Il regret, sir" replied Armand that
| I can not wait" He turned cold inside
as he said 70 himself: This affair Is
going to fall through il Jules does not
hurry up.
! At this moment the door-bell rang.
/ Bridoux went to open it, Jules entered.
! He was unrecognizable. His hat was
on the back of his head, his coat was
buttoned to the chin, and he had on
pair of long, red whiskers, not I'M
like those which adorn the English
tourists who travel around with those
queer personally conducted" parties,
At the sight of this curious person.
age the autograph collector stared in
SPECIFICATION
Pardon me-" said the false English
nan; Il wish to speak to the gentle
man who just came into your house. "
Bridoux was about to reply when
Armand interrupted
How" said he, "you here again
man."
Eyes | will give you 200 flames for
your letter.
But ! told YOU would not sell it. /"
Il will give you 500 francs"
Il tell you, sir, that l am already
making a bargain with this gentle
man"
Il will give you 1000 francsr'
q beg you, sir, to leave the room.
Very we'll" said the false English
man, Il will wait for you outside the
doo', but | must have that autograph,
and he left.
You see" said Armand to BridouX,
the price that Englishman attaches
to this precious document Don't force
me to let 1t pass into his hands, when
\ ! ask you only 100 francs.
The autograph collector wa, at last
convinced He took out Of his secre-
taire a banknote for 100 francs and
gave 1t to Armand, who thanked him
and withdrew
Not long after that the two young
men made a raise, and the first thing
they did was to put a banknote Of
100 francs into an envelope with this
Endorsement: Restitution and
thanks" and addressed it to Bridoux.
But Bridoux never knew what 1t
meant He simply covered the 100
francs into his treasury, and, for him
the note OF the little saleswoman at
the Louvre lace counter is still an
4. -