The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-28
YKo eron1Es 81 Dn. 1Elra.
mis- res Duek eiunbi and Ms pasrssnt d
year with the FiceinE Hnpres- Eursnie.

~
when n party of visitors called at DR.. Eyans's
house near the Champs-Elysees in Paris some
yoars ago they heard sounds, as they rang tho
bell. from beneath the white marble steps where
they stood, and directly a%fterward DIR. Evans
emerged from below In his shirt sleeves, covered
with cobwebs, but not In tho least disconnected
by being caught in such q guise. lie lauRhingly
explained that he was in search OF his pet duck
Columbia, which could not be found. AS no
seemed much distressed. his visitors followed
him through the garden. peoring here and there.
Thy had heard OF DIR. Evans's $1,000 dogs, his
horses and his wonderful collection of birds,
brought from every part Of the globe, but wero
surprised At the evident pleasure with which he
told the story of the duck.
It seemed that when very young the duck
showed q strong affection for Mrs. Evans, fol-
lowing her about the garden and even into tho
house, where sho made herself quite at
homo in the drawing room. Tho bird proved
80 intelligent and affectionato that Mrs.
Evans devoted considerable time to teaching
her different tricks and the proper manners for
polite society, till the duck finally became an
acknowledged member of the family. much ad-
mirod by all who camo to tho house.
During tho Commune. when Paris was starv-
ing, this adored duck suddenly disappeared.
and great was the grief In the Evans household.
Rewards were offered and every effort made to
discover tho thief. but all to no purpose, and
the family mourned tho loss of the duck with
sincere grief. trembling as to tho probable fate
OF their pet. Some months a~fterward, while on
PERTAINING q number Of friends at dinner, q SER
want whispered with much excitement that o
soldier was outside who said the duck had been
found. The good news ran round tho table.
The man was brought into the room, and there,
perched on his shoulder, was Columbia, much
bedraggled as to plumage and far from being
the sleek and naughty bird Of tho past She
blinked her eyes in the candle light, and then,
suddenly recognizing Mrs. Evans's voice as tho
hostess called her name. gave q joyful quaok
and tapped across tho iower-decked table to
Mrs. Evans's bare shoulder, whore she nestled.
rubbing her head lovingly against her mistress's
cheek.
Then the history of tho previous months was
explained. 1t seemed that. tho garden gate
Goo oiumbi Hee wa tsii ni sco Dne taSi ' aio sSIt tho Spiia
fat, sleek. and to his hungry eyes the ,embodi-
ment OF a goodly meal. In q trice he had tho
tho side street, stiting as best he could the In
dignant quacks of his prey. But on arriving at
the men. Columbia strsightway began her pro-
gramme OF tr~icks-'wSaltzing, bowling. kissing.
cap Gn'' meek W With hhG an nfec iGslnfey sa asdi,s Of s mer
istaction. Her faith in human kindness saved
her life. Tho men, one and all, voted to remain
hungry rather than eat so delightful q creature,
and Columbia was their pet from that hour. .
His story finished, the soldier received a sub
much laughter. while Columbia nodded APPROX.
al from Mrs. EvRns's shoulder.
tho tale emerged from beneath a lilac bush and
came waddling across the lawn to meet tho
visitors Vi h t stepping, t now AN and then aien, to boy 3T,d deeply ply
was quito near DR.. Evans began to whistle a
waltz. Columbia stopped, then began to dance.
nothing nothing VASE wars ever tan more srDe 'f irre nssi "p padi SnFSs
than the awkward gravity with which she went
ly on one side and neck outstretched.
Tho host then led his visitors to the house.
s ssfSyD snse Se 'e the way isr 20 ' hSiI. Hi ilis sy %ifE p %hsS
divans, and Eastern lamps hanging from the
groined stone ceiling, he called attention to .
1T Is there" he said, where tho Empress
press. She was a brave womani"
on IrGm there ant oh he The LED d, the way Sng II II .. q i Sf,E gallery
fapi T. things. The " wallis we're h hung ns'S With h. Portraits %trntis
OF many OF the crowned heads of Europe given
to Dr. Orv Ev ana by %, the Erisl mails rG spl,en nlti. tables
filled with curious and interesting things; tho
first sword worn by the little Prince Imperial,
of all the Russins, and n miniature of the Prln-
cess Louise painted by herself. when a young
did room was the frieze which ran round the top
OF the walls. 1t was about three feet deep. and
Of his favorite birds in the aviary. Their bril-.
liant colorine and grace were faithfully repro
duced. and DR.. Evans pointed out its beauties
with more interest and, pleasure than he had
eyinced in his princely gifts.
Before the visitors left he showed them tho
room upstairs where Eugenie dressed for her
flight. From a drawer no drew out the shabby
plaid shawl. old-fashioned scoop bonnet and lace
veil which she had worn, and had sent back
afterwardI as souvenirs. DR.. Evans said. as no
folded them away;
Only twice in my life have I actually known
fear. The first was when I proposed to my wife.
The second was when l told tho guard at the
gate of Paris that 1 had u poor, mad woman
with me whom 1 was taking to her friends. As
he knew me he vas not suspicious; but II he
had 80 much as asked tho Empress to raise her
veil neither OF our lives would haye been worth
beside me and hor breath coming in faint gasps.
but lust then she tainted which was the most
sensible thing she could have DONE"
The conversation turned on the beauties Of
tho new Paris. The many articles pub
lished recently in the American pross. to the
Evans the tip as to the streets to be cut through
the, city, arc omphatically wrong. DIR. Evans
said that afternoon that 1t was Baron Hauss-
mann himself who confded his plans to him,
and 1t was to tho Baron's friendship he owed
the millions he made by timely Investments.
ErTrRE mr. rrpRrDE run rryra