St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-01-07

than she has dared to say. Fora month
past he has regularly Travelled in the
same omnibus, and she has noticed 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,
violent opening and a stout gentleman
out of breath, his hat upon his ears
and cane in his hand, breaks in upon his
dreaming.
"Monsieur!" exclaims the invader,
your conduct is scandalous. You are
not worthy the name of French gen
tleman. An honest man would never
take advantage of the embarrassment
and inexperience of young lady. To
profit by the absence of father and
purse, to offer your morey-and your
card into the bargaln--to an unpro-
tected girl, it may be a good investment,
but it is bad action. | have brought
you your SIX sous again, and would have
you know, sir, that, as for my daugh-
ter 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, be-
fore Agenor has time even to recover
from his bewilderment, q new actor en-
tiers upon the scene. 1t is the cabman,
all furious, with an oath upon his lips
and brandshing his whip in threaten
ing manner.
"Eh! you! What do you mean? You
engage me for single journey. tell
you l cannot stay. You even order me
to hurry. And then you jump from my
cab like mailman and rush in here
without word. None of that for me-
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 vigor-
Gus demand from the cabman, he man
ages to falter:
81 have-forgotten-
ooh, yes! KNOW" cries the enraged
cocher. III have seen that dodge before.
You needn't try it on with me. Come
along! you shall tell your tale at the
police Office" And he begins to drag
away by the shoulders the unfortunate
Chapoulot who is ready to fall into an
apoplectic fit.
But Agenor, a true providence for the
family, draws from his pocket the nee
essary 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, and that of all friends a
friend in need is one indeed, can only
reply with a smile:
"Monsieur-M. Baluchet, ! believe
30 centimes for the omnibus and one
frame IS for the cab, that makes Al
sous l 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 reckon
ings always make good friends"
A quarter of an hou" later the servant
puts third plate upon the table in the
Rue de la Trocadero A month later
there is still larger party, when the
wedding of Charlotte and Agenor is
celebrated. And NJ. Chapoulot will often
say to those who care to hear him:
Beware of Borrowing, oh! fathers
Of families. C'est I'm faux pas. made
once debt of IL sous, and could only
repay it with dowry IF 10000 francs"
Strand Magazine.