The labor world., 1898-01-15

He is staying at the Hotel Lis
bon. but he is often in the cafes,'
said Braconnier, a big bellied, loud
voiced fellow, who looked up to Pol
1inet as his master.
Tonight, then,' said Pollinet,
with a menacing smile. This PoIi
net, must tell you, was great fel-
low of nearly feet, broad and
plump and very good liver. He
must have the best and plenty of it,
and he daily increased in embon-
point, though he lost little of his
activity. With rapier or pistol he
was supreme, and it was said that
he had already killed his twenty
first. He had served in the army as
colonel, SO he declared, though
there were some who could take an
oath that he began life az bakers
apprentice and was afterward valet
to Colonel de la Tournies.
"That evening Pollinet sent three
of his friends out into the city to
obtain news Of the Englishman,
and presently Braconnier returned
breathless to say that milor had just
entered the Cafe Grande Monarque,
in Rue Pelissier.
"'Come, then, my friends, said
Pollinet; with a laugh, let us call
on this terrible Englishman. You
shall have good sport, on the word
of Pollinet, unless he is a coward,
and even in that case I shall terrify,
him. .;5 fsz..
Laughing gleefully, Pollinet and
six, Of his friends set out for the
cafe. They were in luck. Milor was
there, sprawling as usual. He was
seated with a bottle Of wine at one
Of the tables near the door, with a
chair for each foot, and he disdain-
ed to raise his head when the party.
entered. NJ. Pointon, in appearance
a gentleman, was slipping wine with
him, and they only spoke in mono
eyllables at long intervals.
"Pollinet smiled significantly at
his companions, and they took the
nearest table to the Englishman, but
still milor did not deign to raise his
head. 81
"Pollinet called for wine for HE
party and then remarked loudly:
'Pah! Surely ! can smell an English-
man There must be one Of those
island pigs near mel The rest
laughed loudly, and all turned their
eyes to milor, but he did not even
raise his eyes, though the secretary
cast one searching glance in Polli-
net s direction.
!" All, resumed Pollinet, there
are English yonder, and the smell
nauseates mel Look at that mans
bulk and his boorish pose! Those
barbarous islanders!'
Again the party laughed, and
Pointon whispered something to his
master, who yawned and made some
curt reply. XIII I'll,
''The attack was not succeeding
so we'll as Pollinet had expected. It
was like throwing stones at wood
en- figure, and he became angry and
sent waiter for Blanc, the propri-
etor 6 s#...,s
"'What do you mean, Blanc, eaid
Pollinet, raising his voice SO that
he could be heard all over the room,
by allowing pigs Of Englishmen to
defile your establishment which we
honor by our custom7 Turn them
out instantly
!" 'Sh-sh, monsieur said the
unhappy Blanc in a whisper. j beg
pardon, but it is an English milor
and his attendant
4" AS l know, and l tell you to
turn them out, unless you want to
lose our custom
"Poor Blanc, afraid of offending
either party, was white and perspir-
ing at every pore. But, monsieur,
he stammered, forgive me, but he
--he pays well. Likewise he is ter
rible, and IL dare not.
9 Obey instantly, insolent, said
Pollinet arrogantly, unless you seek
ruin! Where is your patriotism9'
Before lie could reply there os.me
providential intervention for the
cowardly proprietor. At that mo-
ment Pointon approached the party,
with an insolent smile on his face.
"A thousand pardons, messieurs,
he said sweetly, but monsieur, my
master, is annoyed by your loud
tones, especially yours, monsieur,
indicating Pollinet with a bow. He
begs of you either to moderate your
voice, keep silence or leave the
room.' And he bowed to them again.
"Pollinet's friends could not help
smiling at this courteous but effect
i've counter thrust, and the bravo
sprang up, ivid and dumb with fu-
ry. The secretary had not waited
for his rQn1v hit returned tO his