Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1899-06-07
.NS5M
! THO TWO
7 FRANCS.

brlCnanUeau tedneu DUCK III his Chaif
and, stretching out his long, thin legs,
yawned luxuriously. Then, recovering
himself with elaboration, he thrust his
hands deep down into his trousers pockets.
aye gods" he cried, "Melpomeme
smilesl The mighty Jove is gracious!
Dame Fortune, willful jade, anding that
genius caresses that which first she flaunt-
ed, rewards her humble servant with the
base metal that sustains his life, and he
has vet 2 francsl Wealth, riches illimita-
bler'
"Two francsl How shall we spend
them9' he muttered tragically. "How
shall we dispose Of this superfuous boun-
tyP'' And. with dramatic gesture, he
thrust the fingers of his right hand
through the masses of his long gray hair.
"Ha! We have It," he cried suddenly In
deem. stentorian tones-"the Cafe Dianel
We WI dine, taste once more ambrosial
fare and Quaff again the nectar of the
gods. The thought Is good"
Jumping from his seat, he took off the
old Powered silk dressing gown he was
wearing and, hanging it carefully on
nail, went 70 the tiny cupboard that con-
tained his wardrobe and drew forth an old
and somewhat threadbare fur lined over
colt, In which, in. spite of the hot June
sun, he proceeded to clothe himself.
He put on q large slouching hat and,
taking cane richly mounted with polish
ed brass, walked out of the room.
It was a long way down from the attic
to the street, and the stairs were dark and
narrow. At the last he reached the ground
-<rx>d tv,k ha darH yarrOxv y,acSaOa
which led to tho street. Here he paused,
standing for a moment before a dirty,
dilapidated door, At last he made up his
mind and, raising his hand, raped loudly
with the knot Of his cane
"Come in, ;" said pleasant voice.
Brichanteau turned the handle and,
1ingtng back the door, stood for q mo-
ment on the threshold, hat in hand, bow
ing magfifoently.
"Good morning, madame" he said.
The room was hot and steaming. The
ceiling, though low, was hidden from view
by numberless cords, on which hung vari-
Gus articles of clothing, all moro or less
damp. On the opposite side Of the room
plump, comedy little woman was busily
employed ironing.
"Good morning, M. Brichanteau," she
feplleu, lOOhiuB up AOt q iiioihono hoih Aioh
work. sit Is a fine day"
1.-THE day is indeed fine," answered
Brichanteau, leaning elegantly against
the doorpost as he spoke Aurora smiles
and deigns to rain her golden sunbeams
like flowers upon her humble slaves"
Madaihe raised her hands with that
pretty gesture which is common to every
true born Frenohwoman. La, monsieur!
How beautiful you talki You are indeed
O true poet.
He smiled and shook his head with con-
scious humility. May, madame, you
flatter me. / am no poet, only humble
slave of art, slave who has endured
much for the cause, it's true, but one who
is yet slave"
She shook her head alphabetically.
"You have had trials, monsieurS"' she
asked.
"Trialsv" he answered tragically.
"Aye, trialsl have struggled, I have
starved, have played to cheering multi
tudes and to bowling mobs, have en-
dured commandments of vegetables and re-
ceived showers of roses, and yet have
played on. Genius cannot be overcome
by trides; nAught but death can quench
its consuming fire. The public do not un-
derstand Brichanteau. So much the worse
for the public. They are fools. Mean
while Brichanteau still plays on"
He stopped and, folding his arms theat-
rically, resumed his old position by the
doorpost. "A thousand pardons. I did
but come to inquire for little Susette, and
I have stopped to chatter"
The woman stopped her ironing
e"Thank you, monsieur; she is better, !"
she replied 1.-THE doctor says that all she
wants is good food-chickens and wine
and fruit. But. alas, such things are i'm
possible; 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.
Adieup' And, bowling gracefully, he
walked out of the room.
The Cafe Diane, the object of Bri-
chanteau's journey, was some distance
from his lowly abode. Thither he wended
his way with slow and dignified steps, and
as he walked he dropped his head forward
as If in deep meditation. This fit lasted
until he had almost reached his destina-
ton, when, two doors from the cafe, he
halted outside fruiterer's shop. He stood
irresolute for several minutes, now look.
ing at the stores of fruit piled up in front
Of him and now casting longing glanoes
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 grapes?" he
asked, waving his hand, with a magnif-
cent gesture, toward the fruit in question.
1.-TWO francs pound" answered the
shopman, bowling politely.
The actor concealed his disappointment
with an effort, for he thought the price
exorbitant.
81 will ham a pound, /" he said grandly.
After all, there are the SOUS" he NUT
tered as he strobe proudly out of the shop.
Madame, Dame Fortune smiles. The
gods are indeed gracious. Today they
shower their blessings like rain"
The woman paused in her almost cease
less ironing. "What has happened, mon
sieur?" she asked, surprised at the inter
ruption.
my old friend and comrade, Monsieur
the Marquis dc Morton, one of the few
who do not forget Brichanteau, has sent
me q hamper of the produce of his cha
teau," answered the actor grandly.
Among other things, he sent these
grapes. beg you to accept them for little
Susette." And he thrust them into her
hands.