The times., 1900-12-24

In the midst of a rich, Burgundian plain
lies the little old town of Sens. All along
the reads that approach 1t slope rich vine
yards from which come its heady wines.
pleasing at once to the capable palate and
the luxuriant eye. The peasants whom
one meets along the route are almost as
silent as the vines and almost as dark in
color as the dark red wine. Their dialect,
too, is saturated and deepened in vowel
sounds until in esthetic expression it
more nearly resembles the South Italian
tongue than the volatile French of Paris.
The dumb. swarthy women, with thick
at the SOIL and resemble the peasants of
Millet without the poetry.
One day in the fall a young American
trudged through a warm, heavy rain to-
ward the town. He had, couple of weeks
before. left Paris with his knapsack on
his back and q determination to walk
through Burgundy to Switzerland. 1t was
with a delightful shiver of expectation
and sense of imminent adventure that
he felt himself alone on the highways. He
passed through many little red-tilted
towns practiced his bad French on the
natives, and put up for the night at places
where the sight of him was an event;
where the people stared wonderingly at
the strange spectacle of a man who was
walking for pleasure through land the
language of which he used with ludicrous
difficulty.
On the particular day that, drenched, he
was approaching the old cathedral town OF
Sens his adventurous enthusiasm had for
the time somewhat waned. His clothes
were bedraggled, his hair long and un-
nd ha lra6 org nj
cranky, because he wore knee-breeches
and had a light game Lag in which he
carried toothbrush, a change of under
wear and sweater. On reaching Sens he
had the usual linguistic difficulty in find
ing an inn, but finally landed in a little
place right opposite the cathedral, in
small square kept by a Frenchman and
his wife They had neither servants nor
children. and the newcomer was the only
guest. They looked suspicious at first
when the American presented himself But
when they at last understood that TINS
was merely rather peculiar tourist ana
that he had a sufficiently well-lined purse,
as well as a friendly manner and an in
genuous countenance, they became hos
pitable enough after the silent manner OF
the people of small towns The man was
a round person of about forty years OF age,
with smooth, good -natured, and rather
stupid face His wife, after the nature
of French women. was sharper in manner
and quicker in look. She came from the
Kitchen without removing her apron and
having looked over the stranger went
about her work again, leaving her more
social husband to perform the courtesies.
The tramp and the host ate the simple
supper together. and the former stam-
meringly told about how he came from
New York and was merely amusing him
self in the bad Burgundian weather. AS
he was very tired he went to bed immed-
lately after supper and fell into sound
sleep. His hostess awakened him at 7
in the morning, and he descended to cat
his breakfast While at this simple meal
he heard the following conversation in
the kitchen near by, between the man
and his wife. He understood French bet
ter than he could speak il. Not knowing
that fact. the French people were in
cautious, and soon their voices rose high
in dispute.
The dispute was about the size of the
bill. The man wanted TO charge the ordi-
nary amount, which was very small, but
she saw no reason why they shouldn't get
Ave or six times the usual sum. Their
respective arguments were as follows:
He is a stranger said the husband,
"and we ought not to fleh him.
Yes, he is a stranger replied his
wife, "and that is a sign he is rich. Why,
otherwise should he travel. alone, afoot,
in Burgundy? 1t is the chance Of our
lives"
But he is a good fellow" the man
urged. We talked very agreeabIy to-
gether last evening. He went to bed
early and gave US no trouble"
"Pah," exclaimed the better half.
you're a ninny. The American ate like
pig l never saw man eat like that
haFH Ign tC rfn fga rs~sII ITa
does not know the customs and / insist
that you let me manage this affair"
no, no. he is a good fellow" repeated
the Frenchman, "and he is my guest, and
a stranger, and l shall charge him only
the regular amount
Then the woman few into passion.
She screamed:
Good fellow. indeed. What kind of a
good fellow would you be if it wasn't for
me? Who is it that manages? Who is
il that saves, who is IL that makes both
ends meet. if it isn't me? You play the
grand seigneur and l do the work, l do
the calculating, and when l see chance
10 90 a good stroke of business you come
and spoil it all with your good-fellowship
and your honor. You ninny,"
Then the man grew angry in his turn.
Shut up" he shouted, in a deep voice
u will do as l please. l will charge as !
please. ! am the master of the house.
(Je suis ie maitre de la maison.) am the
master OF the house, and l Will do as
please" 90
She still protested. but le drowned
everything she said with a si'Htorian: Il
am the master of the house." and finally
left the kitchen and went TO the Ameri-
can, who had finished his breakfast, had
adjusted the game-bag and was listening
with grea; interest TO the dispute. The
Frenchman had a flush on his face, look
OF ethical Indignation, as he took out
small pad Of paper and made out his bill
three francs (siXty cents) for two
meals and 4 bed. He was charging only
the regular rate and he looked soulfully
satisfied. He shook hands warmly with
the American and told him to call again
on his way back to Paris. AS the tramp
was about to leave, madame came out
from the kitchen smiling benevolently
She advanced impulsiveiy and seized the
strangers hand.
''Adieu, monsieur" she cried. do come
again. 1t is so agreeable to have met
you. Are all Americans like you?" she
asked, with touch of coquetry.-The
New York Commercial Advertiser.
THE TAILS OF COMETS.