The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-02-17

Sing It again!
London Spectator.
THE TWO FRANCS.
Brichanteau leaned back in his chair,
aud, stretching out ms long, thin legs,
yawned luxuriously. Then, recovering
himself with deliberation, he thrust his
hands deep down into his trousers
pockets.
His fingers came in contact with some
coins, and, after jingling them for few
minutes, he collected them in the palm
of his hand, and, pulling them out, count
ed them carefully. They consisted of two
francs aud few sous. Putting them
back into his pocket, he rose, and, as
Stunning majestic attitude. extended his
arms to heaven and spoke. His deep,
rich, powerful voice Hooded the room.
"Ye gods" he cried, "Melpomene
smiles. The mighty Jove is gracious
genius cares not for her frown, now,
wolnanlike, caresses that which first she
Haunted. Behold, today the theater re-
wards it's humble servant with that base
metal that sustains his life, and he has
vet two francs! Wealth, riches illimit-
able! Two francs! Aha"
With a gesture Of MAGNIFICENT aban-
resting his chin upon his left hand, sat
for a few minutes with his brows knit
as if in deep thought. 1.-TWO francs!
How shall we spend them?" he muttered
tragically. How shall we dispose of
this superhuous bounty of the Haunting
dame?" And, with dramatic gesture,
he thrust the fingers of his right hand
hair. "Ha! We have it," he cried, sud
denly, in deep. stentorian tones. 1.-The
Cafe Diane. We will dine; taste once
more ambrosial fare. and quaff again
the nectar of the gods. his good. The
thought is good"
Jumping from his seat, he took off the
old Powered silk dressing gown he was
nail, went to the tiny cupboard that
contained his wardrobe, and drew forth
an old and somewhat threadbare fur
lined overcoat, in which, despite the hot
June sun, he proceeded to clothe him
self.
his chin to see if it required shaving. and
readjusted his long, lank hair, he put on
a large, slouching felt hat. and: taking a
cane richly mounted with polished brass,
walked out of the room.
1t was long way down from the attic
to the street, and the stairs were dark
and narrow. Brichanteau, who always
carefully explained to his few visitors
that he preferred the attic, as it was
ing stars," walked down with evident
diStaSth
At last he reached the ground floor,
and stood in the dark, narrow, passage,
which led to the street. Here he paused,
standing for a minute in deep meditation
before dirty, dilapidated door. At last
he made up his mind, and, raising his
hand, raped loudly with the knob of his
cane.
"Come in" said pleasant voice.
Brichanteau turned the handle. and,
finging back the door, stood for mo-
ment on the threshold, hat in hand, bow
ing magnifciently.
Good morning, madame" he said.
The room was hot and steaming. The
ceiling, though low, was hidden from
view by numberless cords, on which
more or less damp. On the opposite side
of the room plump, comely little WON.
an was busily employed ironing.
"Good morning, Monsieur BRIGHAM
teau," she replied, looking up for mo-
ment from her work. 1T is a fine day."
"The day indeed is hne,' answered
Brichanteau, leaning elegantly against
smiles, and deigns to rain her golden
sunbeams like flowers upon her humble
slaves
Madame raised her hands with that
pretty gesture which is common to every
true-born Frenchwoman. LA, Mon
sieur! How beautifully you talk. You
are indeed a true poet.
conscious humility. NAY, madame, you
hatter me: I am no poet; only humble
slave of Art. A slave who has endured
much for the cause. it's true; but one
who is yet a slave"
She shook her head, sympathetically.
"YOp have had trials, Monsieur?" she
"Trialsv' he answered, tragically.
starved; have played to cheering multi
tudes and to bowling mobs; t have ell
dured bombardments of vegetables, and
received showers of roses; and vet have
played ON. Genius cannot be overcome
by triHes; naught but death can quench
its consuming fire. The public do not
understand Brichanteau: So much the
worse worse for the public: They are fools;
He stopped, and, folding his arms the
atrically. resumed his old position by the
door post.
."And vet there have been triumphs,"
she suggested, soothingly.
, "Triumphs!' he replied, eagerly. AYE,
there have been triumphss,, too. My
tions that filled the house. The applause
was thunderous. The magic of my sway
carried everything before it. 1t was vic
tory, indeed. To be sure, one miserable
critic, full of envy, dared to decry me;
but l challenged him, and he fell before
the onslaught Of my righteous fury like
an oak before the tempest"
did you kill him?' she asked, horror
Kill him, the cur! Nay. Genius can
afford to he magnanimous. He thought
the victory was his; but he had to deal
with one who had played Roland and
'Bayard' and Napoleon the Great and
his skill was unavailing. 1 spared his
I am retarding you. A thousand par
dons. l did but come to inquire after
chatter"
The woman stopped her ironing.
THANK you, monsieur; she is BETTER"
she replied. ''The doctor says that all
she wants is good food chickens, and
" any oAAu - out, tlIdSs IuluSS
are impossible; they cost money" she
added, sadly.
""Tis true" answered the old actor,
shaking his; head mournfully, 'they cost
money. Madame, feel for you, and
hope the little one will soon be well.
Adieu!' and bowling gracefully he
walked out of the room.
The Cafe Diane, the object Of BRIGHAM
teau's journey, was some distance from
his lowly abode. Thither he wendell his
way with slow and dignified steps, and
as he walked he dropped his head for
ward as if in deep meditation. This fit
lasted until he had almost reached his
destination, when, two doors from the
cafe, he halted outside fruiterer's shop.
He stood irresolute for several minutes:
now looking ut the stores of fruit piled
up i'll front Of him, and now casting long
ing glances at the adjacent restaurant.
At last he seemed to make up his mind.
Drawing himself up to his full height,
he stalked into the shop.
How much are these grapesy' he
asked, waving his hand, with a magnifi-
ton. -
"rwO francs n no,,nd - onsu,o,1 A.