The record-union., 1898-11-28

iiouli cAiSleuc6- uy giving pilsdlC iSS-
sons, for his father stopped all sup
plies. You had better buy a porter's
KNOT said Bookseller Wilcox, eying
the massive frame of young Samuel
Johnson, when the latter applied to him
for literary employment. Young Richie
pin did not wait to be told by any edi-
tor or publisher tOk use his bodily
strength for a livelihood. Of his own
accord he turned his biceps and mus
cles to account, but he did it in accord
ance with his histrionic proclivlties,
which had been considerably developed
by his successful parts in amateur
theatricals on speech day at the various
colleges. He became a professional
wrestler at fairs.
The Paris papers sang his praises, but
the spirit of unrest began it's work. He
engaged himself before the mast on
a coaster trading between Nantes and
Bordeaux, and this time the porter $
knot" came in. 1t is to that experience
that we owe his collection of poems
entitled La Mer,' than which, for
sheer, unaffected pathos and downright
honest strength, / know nothing better
in the range of modern French verse.
Even the Bay of Biscay, with its
constant dangers and hardships, was
too narrow for his love of adventure.
He was about to sign on merchant
man bound for South America when
he fell in with band of gypsies. The
original melodies of their race conSti-
tuted, however, no part of their pro-
gram. The chawbacons and Gallo
Hodges before whom they performed
preferred the modern music-hall dit
ties, and Richepin, in virtue of his Par
isian training, was promoted to the
post of chansonnier- -en-chef. How long
ne would have remained must be a
matter of conjecture, but the sister of
the impresario offered him her heart
and hand. A refusal meant a stab of
the knife on some dark evening. Richie
pin fed to Paris. The incident, consid-
erably altered, has been utilized for
two powerful situations in lie Chem
ineau"
The odyssey of shortcomings" was
drawing to an end A few transpon-
tine papers began to publish Riehepin's
articles.
ABLE TO EAT A LITTLE.
The problem of constant breakfasts,
dinners and suppers was yet not wholly
SOiNSu, DQl Aluct OBi Ol 1dl VI LIE
cheaper restaurants no longer read like
a Utopia The letter f stood for
feeding" as we'll as for fasting and
sometimes it stood for "feasting, as
was attested by Gargantuan repast-
with regard to quantity If not to quail
ity-which. opened at midday and was
not finished at 8 p. M, at which each
of the guests had consumed seven
luncheons without budging, and the bill
of which entertainment came to 10
francs. Each portion cost half franc,
and the company numbered eight. Al
lowing the thffd Of the sum for the
cheap wine-a liberal allowance assur-
edly-at one franc per litre, each of the
party had slowed away more than
three litres of liquid and twelve plates
cf solid. One of these, however, had
an appetite like a mouse, and even as
early as the beginning of the seventies
drank tea. / am alluding to M. Paul
Bourget, the well-known author of
"Cosmopolis.' That is why l made no
mention of the coffee, cigars and liq-
ueurs.
Gone are the days of feasting and
fasting; Jean Rfchepin has not become
recluse, and short of failing health
which Heaven forefend-will never be-
come one. He no longer wears the
conical hat with tassels, nor the hes
slams and tight-fitting breeches, but the
velveteen jacket remains, and SO do the
kindness to his fellowmen and tender
heartedness to animals and children. A
cat, dog Or ia baby, be it ever so
plain, is sure to stop Richepin's prog
ress, let his hurry be whatever it may.
1t is not my province to Judge his
theatrical work. OF one thing
I feel, however, certain; if lie Chemi
neau" breathes the spirit of unrest, it
also breathes the spirit of boundless
humanity, the tolerance for all human
foibles, for which Nature alone is re-
sponsible.-A. D. Wandam in London
Daily Mail.