The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-12-29
A Wonderful Christmas Night
(From the French of Francois Coppee.
five parts.)


| place. The sun and NJ. Jean Baptist'
| Godefroy rose at exactly the same time.
| NJ. Godefroy was an enormously re:
| financier at the head of d large banking
| house, director in many important corpor
! ations deruty for the Department of Eure
| officer of the Legion of Honor, and so on
] Now the sun, from the instant of rising
| had begun the day by giving pleasure Il
everyone, enveloping all the trees on the
| boulevard in a rosy glow. shower;ng hi:
| brilliant rays with strictly impartial lib
crafty OH all the humble pedestrians forced
| TO rise early by the necessity of earning
| their daily bread. He had the same smil,
| for the young clerk in a thin overcoat, or
| mis- way TO the office, the little milliner':
apprentice shivering in last summers wrap
bought at d bargain counter, the workman
| hurrying along the slippery pavementS
| with a half loaf of bread tucked under his
| arm, the conductor on the tram car sound
| ing the Indicator, and for the vendor OF
| roasted chestnuts just filling his first No.
| full.
Whereas VI. Godefroy, on the contrary
was disposed to be thoroughly out of hu.
| NOR with everything and everybody
Having assisted at a banquet the previous
evening, where ne had indulged in many
| trufiies. and eaten too abundantly of rich
highly apiced dishes. from soup TO salad
he was suffering from an unusually severe
attack OF 'n1igestitr, a fact which male
itself known in the sharp tone of the be-
rung for his valet, who, as he received the
car OF hot water from one of the maids,
said with sigh and a grinace:
THE master has one of his attacks; he
is sure to be in a bad temper. We are
going to Rave hard time, all OF US, you'll
see. my poor Gertrude"
And he went off on the tips of his toes,
entering the bedroom noiselessly, drawing
back the curtains, lighting the fire, and ar
ranging everything for his masters toilet.
"HoW is the weather. asked NJ Code
troy, grumpily.
Very cold, sir. only six above, but the
sun is shining, and it will be fine day.
Still using his razor. Mr.. Godefroy APP
preached the window, and drawing aside
the muslin curtain, looked out on the boule-
ward all brilliant In sunshine. Something
resembling a smile played around his lips.
Had he been told then and there that he
was rejoicing in the cheeriness of every
thing. after fortnight of fog and lowerin g
skies, in common with a little printers boy
in a paper cap enjoying a SIDE on mar
row strip of ice facing the window, he
would have felt himself insulted All the
same II was so, and for the space of a
minute this busiest OF busy men, over
whelmed win financial and political re-
sponsibiltieS, was actually so far lost to
sense of self respe:' as TO watch with plea
sure the carrieges and pedestrians hurry
ing gaily through tue golden mist.
But rest assured, it was only for a mill
ute, To smile and enjoy the beauty of
winter morning is all very well for Idle
people, who have no really serious mat
tiers to think Of for women, children,
poets. and the lower classes. NJ. Godefroy,
however, hid something better to think, of,
and today, especially, he was simply up 20
his ears in important engagements.
From $50 TO 10 he had appointments in
his private Office with a number of men,
nearly as overwhelmed and harrassed as
himself, men as carefully dressed and
shrewG, men apparently as destitute of
feeling and Imagination, men with evident
ly hut one idea--to get money. After a
hurried Breakfast his coupe would take him
TO the BourSe, there to meet other busy
men, who had risen at an equally early
hour, ali for the same reason-to get
money. From the Bourse TO a business
meeting where he was to preside, seated at
large green-covered table with enormous
iLkstands, surrounded by more busy men,
with hard, shrewd faces. and all discussing
some new plan with the same object-to
get money. This was his programme for the
day before Christmas.
His toilet made, and most carefully made
NJ. Godefr0y went to his office, and the con-
slant succession OF business men began
Long and earnest discussions, involving
very high figures. continued until 10 o'clock
sharp. when " Godefroy escorted his last
visitor tc the door. whence, giving orders
that no one was TO he admitted, he passed
on to the dining room, magnificent apart
ment with si0eboards and buffets loaded
with costly plate that would have been
treasure for any cathedral
NJ Godefroy, however, still suffering
from indigestion, could enjoy none of the
dainties on the table, contenting himself
with an egg IN the shell, and was tr:fing
with a bit of Roquefort, when a door open
ed to admit child, pretty. fair-haired.
delicate looking little fellow, in a blue VEL
vet coat and large felt hat with feathers.
his occurred every day at precisely the
same moment, a quarter TO eleven, while
the coupe was waiting at the door and the
spirited sorrel impatiently paving the flag
stones.
his busy money-getter occupied himself
with his little boy fifteen minutes; one
quarter of an hour he consecrated to pa
ternal affection. Not that ne did not love
his child-he adored him, after a fashion
his own-but, my dear sir, with so many
of the last Importance weighing on
a man, what in Heavens name is to be
done?
At forty-two, II Godefroy, a rich bour-
the young and pretty daughter of the
Marquis de Neufontaine. a club acquaint-
ance who, very poor, was only too glad TO
give his daughter to a man who would pay
her fathers debts, and who on his side.
was infinitely elated at the idea of beng
with a family of rank
Mme. Godefroy lived but a short time
and left one child, whom his father loved
for many reasons. First, because he was
MS child, and boy; secondly, because he
was half Godefroy, half De Neufonta!ne.
and lastly, the frail little mite commanded |
infinite respect from MS father as the heir |
Of millions.
The baby cut his teeth on golden rattle. |
and was being brought up as if he were !
4 Dauph-n. Save the quarter of an hour |
With his father. he was absolutely gwen |
over 10 the care Of servants.
Good morning, Roul,''
'Dood mornn'. papa"
The Thrifty Explorer.
do you know why It is that So many ex-