The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-04-06

few truths as WE'LL"
''But, papa, that will be ingratitude.
You must remember that this young
man has saved your daughter from un
faux pas"
"Un faux pasl He has rather led
you into one. But, silence, miss! ]
am not going to receive lessons, above
all. lessons in memory, from silly
girl who forgets her purse.
NJ. Chapoulot has taken his hat,
and looks oven more enraged than
ever.
The old servant comes back. "a
cabman is at the door, but he will only
agree to single journey"
A"Oh, that will do! can easily find
another to return"
And M. Chapoulot goes out in furi.
Gus haste, while Charlotte timidly
confides to the sympathizing servant
that she knows even more of the
young man than she has dared to say.
For month past he regularly Travelled
in the same omnibus, and she has no.
ticed that he has noticed, etc., etc.
Agenor, in his bachelor apartment,
sits thinking over his experience Of
the evening, and vowing he will not
wash until the morning the hand that
had been touched by the dainty
fingers Of Charlotte when she received
the card
Suddenly sharp rap at the door, o
violent opening, and stout gentle
man, out Of breath, his hat upon his
ears and cane in hand, breaks in upon
his dreaming.
Monsieur exclaims the invader,
your conduct is scandalous. You
are not worthy the name of French
gentleman. An honest man would
never take advantage of the embarrass-
ment and inexperience of young
lady. To profit by the absence of o
father aud q purse, to offer your
money-and your card into the bar
gain-to an unprotected girl, it may
be good investment, but it is q bad
action. ] have brought You your six
sous again, and would have you to
know, sir, that, as for my daughter
and myself, we wish to have nothing
to do with you"
And the stout gentleman, trembling
with his vehemence, puts his hand
into his pocket to get the money,
when, before Agenor has time even to
recover from his bewilderment, a new
actor enters upon the scene 1t is the
cabman, all furious, with IN oath upon
his lips, and brandishiug his whip in
threatening manner.
"Ehl you'll What do you mean?
You engage me for single journey.
/ tell you / cannot stay. You even
order me to hurry. And then you
jump from my cab like a madman,
and rush in here without q word.
None of that for nae. I have only
one thing to ask. Pay me my money
quickly, Or" And the whip goes
round again more emphatically than
before.
Agenor understands nothing OF it.
But the stout gentleman, who has
searched vigorously in all his pockets,
becomes suddenly pale, then red, then
redder still, then crimson, then violet.
He is silent in stupefaction a minute,
and then, in answer to more vigorous
demand from the cabman, he manages
to falter:
~ NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS."
"Oh, yesl 1 know" cries the en-
ragged cabman. II have seen that
dodge before. You needn't try it ON
with me. Come alongl you shall tell
your.t tale at the police office" And
he begins to drag away by the shoul-
ders the unfortunate Chapoulot, who
is ready to fall into an apoplectic fit.
But Agenor, q true providence for
the family, draws from his pocket the
necessary sum and dismisses the
driver.
"You will allow me, sir" he says to
NJ. Chapoulot, who, all at once under
standing that it is possible to forget
ones purse, aud that of all friends a
friend in need is one indeed, can only
reply with q smile:
"Monsieur-M. Blauchet, I believe
80 centimes for the omnibus and l
franc 75 for the cab. that makes Al
sous I owe you. If you will be good
enough to dine with me this evening
we will settle our affairs at once. AS
an old business man, like not out
standing debts. Besides, ready
reckonings always make good friends" +"
A quarter OF an hour later the SER
want puts third plate upon the table
in the Rue de la Trocadero. A month
later there is a still larger party,
when the wedding of Charlotte and
Agenor is celebrated. And M. Cha
poulot will often say to those who
care to hear him:
Beware Of borrowing, OIL fathers
of families. made once a debt of
Al sous, and could only repay it with
a dowry of 10000 francs. Strand
Magazine.