The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-11-26

amount would be due in weeks time, and considerately informing him by way of postscript that as he (Trichard) couldn't pay it, he (Chalumeau) neces- sarily must.
 What was to be done? The musical household had already weathered more than one similar catastrophe, but on each occasion their credit had been con- siderably shaken, and it was impossi- ble in case like the present to have recourse to the usual renewal or part payment. No, both agreed that the money must be got, but how?
 During the next few days the activity of the unfortunate couple was prodi- gious. While her husband worried one publisher after another out of their lives with offers of every imaginable species of composition, vocal and in strumental, Adele mustered up all her little stock of trlnkets, and (not with out tear of regreD carried them to the pawnbroker's. But alas! the total result of their united efforts barely reached half the sum required. The morning of the 14th had arrived, and they were sitting disconsolately to- gether, racking their brains how to make up the deficit, when one of their neighbors, painter, who occasional ly dropped In for a quarter of an hours chat and a cigaret, entered the room.,
 Do you know" he said, looking around as he helped himself from his hosts tobacco pouch, that never re- marked these two engravings of yours before. Where did you get u am?"
 T don't remember" muttered Chalu- meau mechanically.
 meau mechanically.
 francs apiece"
 "Eh! what!" exclaimed the musician, suddenly awakening from his stupor, What are you talking about? what is worth a hundred francs?"
 Each of those engravings by the window"
 "You are certain?" | "Parbleu! I wouldn't take less than | 250 for them, if they were mine." | Ten minutes later Chalumeau was on his way to the Quai Voltaire, bearing | his treasures, in their old wooden frames triumphantly under his arm. | succeeded in convincing print-seller of their rarity and value, and in dis posing of them for ,225 francs, which according to agreement, he was to re- ceive at his own abode in the evening. | The dealer was punctual, and before retiring to rest the now happy pair had the satisfaction of discovering that, what with the amount already collect ed and this unexpected windfall, they were in possession of the entire sum in bright five-franc pieces, packed in a solid canvas bag.
 By the by," said Chalumeau to his wife, what is our creditors name?"
 Monsieur Dufour, 8 Place de la Bas- tille," she answered. Tt doesn't say who or what he is."
 Never mind, I shall find him easily enough. I had better start the first thing tomorrow
 Suppose we both go," suggested. the fair pianist.
 Are you afraid of trusting me alone, petite?'
 T think it will be safer" said Adele So that point was settled.
 Early on the following morning, arm in arm and in the highest possible spir- | it's, Monsieur and Madame Chalumeau set out on their expedition; the wealth. CT was delightful, and the flower mar ket of the Madeline had never In their opinion looked so lovely
 Shall we take the omnibus?" asked Adele, 'It is long way to the Bas- tile" "On a day like this?" cried her hus- band. What with the stoppages and the heat, we should be worse than on foot. I vote for nilord"
 "Too dear" said his wife, shaking her pretty head; "the walk will do us both good"
 So on they trudged, carrying the bag | by turns, until they had crossed the Rue Neuve des Capucines, when their progress was suddenly impeded by an obstacle in the shape of a stout gentle man with jovial air and loud voice,
 "Hello!' said or rather shouted the newcomer, barring the passage, and tapping Prosper familiarly on the shoulder. ''Whither in such hurry. my children?''T
 Uncle Joseph!" exclaimed Adele,
 Himself, my children. Come into the cafe; 8 glass of something will do us all good"
 Not bad ideal" began Chalumeau. "That is," he murmured, recollecting himself, eff we had time.
 "But we really cannot stop" chimed in his wife. l "Pshaw!" cried Uncle Joseph, "a glass of madeira won't delay you a minute, and I'll take no refusal" So in they went
 | One glass succeeded another, and by the time the decanter was half empty, eleven o'clock struck, and the trio be- gan to feel hungry.
 "What can you give us for break fast, waiter?" inquired Uncle Joseph.
 Anything monsieur likes,'' was that functiouary's encouraging answer; "eggs, outlets, mayonnaise of lobster"
 My favorite dish!" involuntarily whispered the musician; but Adele was inhexible, and rose from her seat.
 Not another moment" she said, Cor we shall be too late. It is past eleven, and we are not a third of our way to the Bastile yet.'
 That clock is too fast" coolly replied the stout gentleman, land you have plenty of time. Besides, you are my guests, remember, and we don't meet | every day.