Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-08-24
The Blue Satin Slipper.

$500
given the conductor a fee, and prom
Used themselves solitude on their we'd
ding journey.
"AlI aboard" shouted the conductor
Just as the train was about to move
an elderly man sprung on the step, and
entered the compartment. The dool
slammed, the bell struck, and the train
moved away. Although annoyed by
the intrusion, the young couple contin-
ued their conversation in English
when they were interrupted by theil
fellow-traveler in a much better Eng
fish than their own.
"Monsieur," he said, dryly, eff you
have any secrets to relate | would adj
wise you not to do so before me in Eng
lish, as / am conversant with the Ian
guage. | am sorry to intrude upon
you, but this is the only compartment
l could find place in. However, l will
try to go to sleep"
And he faithfully tried to do so. But
his efforts were vain, and finally he
drew a book from his valise and began
to read. When he plunged into his
sack he drew therefrom large roll Of
Bank of England notes, and, showing
them to Leon, asked if he could change
them at the next town. Leon replied
that it was probable that he could do
so, as the road was much frequented by
English travellers.
When they reached the next town
the Englishman descended first. After
him came Leon, who endeavored to
conceal his wife's ankles as she de
husbands Suddenly there darted
from the group of loungers on the plat
form young man of peculiar appear
ance. He was sallow and unshaven;
his eyes were bleared and bloodshot;
his clothing was shabby to the last de-
gree. His once black coat was but
toned closely to the chin, probably to
conceal the lack of a shirt. He ad-
vanced toward the elderly Englishman.
Uncle" said he, humbly.
"Is that your" said the other, angri-
Iy; ''be off, don't want to have any
LHluS 10 uO Will you.
Come, uncle" said the other, with a
mixture of menace and humility, don't
be so hard on a man"
He seized the elders arm, and led
him aside After some moments con
versation the uncle seemed to soften,
and opening his valise gave the other
some bank-notes. The nephew de-
voured the remaining roll withhis eyes,
and after a curt word of thanks dis
appeared in the crowd.
Leon and his bride entered the hotel,
and were shown to the best room in it.
Their status as a newly married couple
procured them that honor. The walls
were covered with paper showing
scenes around Naples. Unfortunately,
certain idle travellers had added mus
tacheS to all the female faces and pipes
to all the male, so the effect was, to a
certain extent, lost. The room was
called the blue room," the furniture
having been once of that color.
Leon ordered dinner to be served in
Su6Il lOOlJ llS bllIlSultS III III oNt'I III >
it excited his wonder, and on inc firing
ne found that the officers Of ne sd
HussarS were giving a dinner to their
comrades of the 61st Chasseurs that
very evening, hence the confusion. To
his horror he learned that the banquet
was spread in the room Immediately
adjoining the blue chamber. However,
there was no help for it. The host
swore by all the gods that the officers
were the quietest mCn he ever saw in
mis- life; that-excepting the chasseurs
there were no more lamblike individ-
uals in the service than the hussars.
And besides, they always rose from the
table before midnight
AS Leon, somewhat troubled in mind
returned to the blue chamber, he no
ticed that his English fellow-traveler
occupied the room on the other side
The door was open, and through it he
saw the Briton seated before bottle
and glass, and contemplating the cell
ing.
well, it makes no difference, after
ALL" he said to himself; ''the English
man will soon be tipsy and the officers
will be gone by midnight"
When he entered the blue chamber
Leon looked to bolts and bars. On the
Englishman's side there was double
wall and door, which he bolted. Or
the officers side there was no door, but
a very thin partition.
The couple had a mediocre dinner
which they would have enjoyed more
had it not been for the talk of their
military neighbors. The conversation
of those gentlemen had nothing what
ever to do with tactics, strategy or the
art of war in any way. On the con.
trary, it consisted of highly seasoned
stories. And such stories! They were
followed by roars OF laughter, and ever
our friends of the blue room found i
difficult at times to preserve their gray
ity in quiet.
But the stories grew broader, the
laughter grew louder. From des his
torres decolletees they became toute:
nues. Although he was not prudish
Leon thought the situation rather EN-
barrassing for his bride; and, sendin:
Tor the landlord, he requested him t,
beg the gentlemen not to make 81
much noise as there was an invalit
lady in the next room. The host en-
tered the banqueting room, and his re
quest was followed by roar of dissent
Finally one voice prevailed over tn
others, and cried:
What sort Of a woman is she?"
t.Mall onntlcs,,o,, ,.I,.,lioI H. -.