The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-20
rtArEp rnAxns wrrn nIs DIE.
An Eccentric Frenchman Who Used TO Have
Lots of Fun Dyeine Dogs.

READING, Pa. Nov. 13.-For several years n
sign displayed opposite the Central Railway
station here attracted the attention OF rustics,
who thought IL funny. It read:
Il live to dye, and dye to live"
The sign was that OF a reputable French
dyer. Sebastian Boehnlein. A few nights ago
he dropped dead In New York OF heart disease.
Boehnlejn was an old character OF Alsnce-Lor-
raine. A fewayears ago his dyehouse here was
burned out. and he lett Reading for Johns
town. N. V, but finally moved to New York
city. He was a musician, played In New York
concert halls. and belonged to several music
societies there.
Boehnlein had n white woolly spaniel dog OF
good size. and this animal was frequently seen
as an Interesting advertisement running about
this city. The dog on patriotic occasions was
dyed red, white, and blue. On leading German
anniversaries the dog appeared In I o German
national colors. On the fail NJ the Bastile day
the tri-color OF Franco was shown on the dog.
as BOchnlein vas an enthusiastic Fronchman.
Boehnlein was fond OF n Joke. Ono day n near
friend OF his, n good-nntured Irishman. visited
him with his little yellow dog. The dog fell
asleep under the stove and tho visitor went off.
entirely forgetting his pct. Boehnlein took the
dog to tho dyohouse. and in n short time his
coat had been colored n beautiful pea green.
The dog was then tied up In the dyehouse for
the. night. The friend called a short time after
and, asked about the dog. Bochnlein, knew
was brushed and polished and let out. When he
arrived home tho owner and family were star
tied; The little dog scnmpered about IN play
ly that the dog soon noticed that something
unusual had happened, The children got q
beeause It was s., Patrick, day, and the dog
One Of the leading iremen OF Reading in
those days was George G!oodhart. II was his
dyed on a big parade day. and 80 1t came about
s 81 p =, s y, &. p %%s !, day II kes6%is E'S q dog i@ \
public with a fierce mmstache. stlaiEyi sticking
out, being well waxsd TO initiate a French
It was the, anniversary, OF the fall Of sedan.
and Bsp in"Hssa being SaoE, iGnS St Ct {nd fun n5 ESpj t,rSs a q iG his
tho Friendship Fire Company were sitting in
horse. Said one OF the aremen:
That horse has four Of the ~prettisst feet I
has got four brown feet"
a a AN Gtsqi b"rrel i9 OF Sser' t fnf S SeS w est r ieh ot thet
tho, horse, had four brown, legs. That same
night Boehnlein helped on the Joke. dyed the
owner. who had agreed TO the deception. drove
his horse past the mans store. He was startled
W Stt. me nOTSt. ioUoIpIuR Tile uTlNeT, lit .hhlu'
I'D have bet a brick house that your horse
had one white leg"
remark drove on, The next Saturday night
the boys had a big treat Of free beer and
Boehnlein was there. When the loser went to
surprised when told that the bill had already
been paid. Boehnlein had paid it. When the
loser Of the bet was told Of the Joke and the
horse appeared with his one white leg there
was. a laugh all around. and the loser OF the
bet had his own way and he treated to another
quarter barrel Of beer.