The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-21
STORIES OF THEIRS.


HE French stAtesmans CoWhruIco Emu
the Comical Side Of 1t.
There are stories of Theirs cowardice
which his greatest admirers and sincercst
friends have never been able to contra
dict. Tho semiofficial account of his ar
rest ON the morning of the coup d'etat
would reach tho acme of comicality but
for a scene enacted at Bordeaux after the
capitulation Of Paris He was then in
mortal terror of being apprehended by
Gambetta, who, for the space of four and
twenty hours, seemed prepared to set the
whole world at defiance rather than con-
sont to the peace which put an end to his
dictatorship. Those scenes, though in
tenscly comic paled before Theirs antics
when fear made him the assailer instead
of the assailed. No lie was too glaring no
pretext too flimsy, no step too mean, no
combination too absurd that held out the
slightest chance Of satisfying his wrath
and allaying his white liyored poltrOon-
cry And inasmuch as tho most subtle Of
his devices were too transparent to impose
upon the merest child, his anger increased
not at their frustration-for no one trou-
bled to Illustrate them-but at their being
published.
He never forgave Nine Rouher for hav-
ing made him tho laughing stock of the
whole of France. When the "vice emper-
or, as her husband was ironically called
during tho empire, took up his residence
onco moro in Paris, Theirs Immediately
dispatched number of detectives to keep
watch Ono evening it suddenly poured
"cats and dogs" and Nine. Rouher sent
umbrellas for every single detective, apol-
ogizing at the same time for providing
only cotton ones. MADAME regrets,
said tho servant in his mistress name,
"but times arc too bad for silk ones. She
babe me tell you, however, that when tho
emperor returns you shall have silk ones
to watch NJ. THEIRS.
Tho imperialists at tho Cafe dc la Paix
did still botter They treated the dozen
"mouchards" told off to report upon their
doings like men and brothers, invited
them to join their company and supplied
them moro than literally with refresh
mcnts. Then Theirs burst out into fran
tic rage. II really believe those mounte-
banks of imperialists are trying to mako q
fool of mcp' he screechcd one night at tho
top of his falsetto voice to the Marquis
Philippe dc Marsa, who, though an avowed
partisan Of tho fallen regime, was fire.
guent visitor at the presidency at Ver-
sailles in virtue of his mother having mar
ricd the Comtc Roger (Du NortD, a stanch
republican and friend of Theirs. AS tho
marquis did not answer Theirs scrcechcd
louder than ever, expecting his interlocu
tor to deny the impeachment. 81 really
believe those mountebanks of imperialists
nre trying to mako fool Of mel' cab
solutcly, NJ. 10 President" was the quiet
reply. "They arc not only trying, but
succeeding
This proved too much for the irascible
little man. A fresh gang of informers
was ordered to the Cafe do la Paix to in
timidate the imperialists If possible, but
at any rate to catch tho old gang in ia
grant neglect Of duty. The imperialists,
however, would not be intimidatcd and
took care that tho friendly detectives
should not be caught Tho imperialists
had not only been warned in time Of the
contemplated move but of the exact mo-
mcnt for its execution. On that memo
rablo night u tremendous storm broke over
Paris. As the hour for the expected APP
pcarancc of the newcomers drew near the
others were informed Of what was going
to happen, and they arranged to meet their
colleagues outside In order to show them
that there was no neglect of duty.
But, alas, it wns raining in torrents,
and they had no umbrcllasl Thereupon %
well known imperialist went in cab to
an English establishment hard by and
bought n round dozen of those useful arti-
Giles. Next day tho bill was sent, not to
the president of the republic, but to his
Fidus Achatcs, NJ. Barthecmy Saint-lIi
laire, with u request for reimbursement.
Tho letter was characteristic You,
monsieur wLo arc rcputcd to he the only
surviving Carbonaro in France, must
know how hard it is for spy to BIO
dronched to the skin in the execution of
his duty, and we trust you will point this
out to M. 10 President of tho republic. -
Albert d. Nandam in Saturday Review.