Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-04-28
"A Distinguished Stranger
BY George AIDE
BY George AIDE
\NE evening when Mae and jim en-

~ tered the room they found Barney
in conversation with strangers
pale, dark-eyed young man with short,
black ringlets. Barney was sitting on
the edge of the bed smoking pipe. lie
had surrendered the only cushioned
chair TO the stranger, who arose quick
ly as the two other members of the
commune came in and said: II thank
you very much for your kindness and
l believe that now / will go to my own
room"
He spoke with a foreign accent and
rather slowly, making each word dis
tinct.
Don't be in hurry" said Barney.
"Roll another cigarette and We'll sit
down here and talk it over"
He introduced the stranger as Mr..
"Um-cole," or something of a similar
kind. Barney never remembered a
name and always fumbled il in making
an introduction
"Gre bault," corrected the stranger,
with smile which enabled him TO dis
play a white and even row of teeth.
Mac and Jim shook hands with him and
begged that he would keep the COM
Portable chair. as they were accus-
toned TO sitting on the edge Of the
bed and really preferred II.
You must pardon my intrusion,
gentlemen" said the stranger. II
have not had the pleasure Of meeting
you and | should not have taken to my
self the liberty of entering your apart
ment, but I wished for some tobacco 10
make cigarette and | smelled the
smoke and-I should tell you that I
am in the room next to you here at the
head Of the stairway"
you're more than welcome" said
jim, heartily. Come in any time that
YOU need tobacco" Che tobacco be
longed 10 Barney
You prefer TO roll your own cigar
cites, do you?" asked Mac.
All, yes. | like it so much better
when il is rolled by myself than the
cigarettes which you buy in the box. I
learned TO roll cigarettes at my home.
In my country we do not often buy
those that are in tho boxes"
His reference 10 my country" and
his hesitating manner 81 speech con-
firmed the impression that he was Of
foreign birth. Within few minutes
the members Of the commune by for
ward questioning learned that he was
native Of Switzerland and had lived
in France and Germany before coming
TO the United States. Also he had Wis
tied Italy. He spoke French and Ger
man. some italian, but English-ah,
not very well. The commune assured
him that his English was beyond criti-
cis1n
They had not Travelled. Not one Of
them had been as far away as New
York, and so they adopted respectful
air Of inferiority when Mr.. Gre bault
began 10 talk of Berlin and Paris and
London. Barney had n fair knowledge
Of German which he brought out for
the entertainment OF his neigh Dor. and
Mac tried several French phrases on
him. Mr. Grebault was distinctly all
right. After he had gone back 10 his
room the members Of the commune
discussed him and agreed that he had
charming European manners and as a
linguist and traveller was 10 be envied.
But what was be doing in Chicago?
Mac, who was romantic and imaginative
at every opportunity, gave il as his opn-
ion that Grebault was a member Of
some rich and noble family and had
come 10 America after being cast from
the palace by his father, comte de Gre
bault because of love affair the son
having fallen in love with a beautiful
maiden who had no title. The younger
Grebault was now in America TO make
his fortune.
The neighbor said or did nothing 70
blight this picturesque theory. He
came into the room occasionally 10
smoke a late cigarette and help Barney
and Mac with their efforts TO speak
the foreign language, and he was always
courteous, smoothly affable and yet po-
litely reserved. He did not give any
intimation as TO how he made his liv-
ing, and the members of the commune
did not feel privileged TO ask direct
questions.