The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-04-19
A LUCKY MISTAKE
From the French of
CHARLES FOLEY.
0NE of my best friends is a country
l squire, 90 years older than myself,
Copyright. 1901. by Authors syndicate.>

IL squire, 90 years older than myself
iovial, kind-hearted, and, albeit little
rough, man whom it is impossible
not to like. Overlooking with the love
of his fellow men, he gives TO every
beggar whom he meets, sometimes be.
fore he is asked, and, what is more
remarkable, almost always accom-
panies the aims with pleasant word.
often even by joke. This custom is
awkward, when one is promenading
with him on the boulevards, and upon
such an occasion | once ventured to re-
monstrate with him for encouraging
familiarity from the scum of the earth.
His handsome face looked grave, nay,
sad; he was silent moment; then he
said:
MY friend, have you ever known
what it was to be hungry, and not pos
sess a sou wherewith to buy bit OF
bread?'
'No," answered, astonished at the
question.
"Well, / have; that is what causes
my sympathy for the poor creatures
Yes, in spite of the fact that l am now
a landed proprietor, and was then
strong, young. we'll educated, and will
ing to do anything to earn my living.
! have known actual misery; bitter.
grinding poverty. Society left me to
perish with hunger, and it was only by
means of crime that l was able to
continue an honest man."
ocfn h.
ment, for, although said nothing, he
smiled good-naturedly, and proceeded
to enlighten my curiosity:
81 will not tantalize you. for see you
are marveling at such a paradox. Well,
then. know that from the age of 20 to &c
years I was sorely put to it to gain my
bread. When things were at their dark
est, after tramping the streets of the
cruel city, and seeking through the
suburbs, in vain, for work, sat down
to rest one evening at twilight, in the
railway station of Poissy. 1 had not
lost my self-respect, and l paid suffi-
cient attention to my personal appear
ance to prevent me from looking like
pauper. although my clothes were
somewhat threadbare. Trembling with
fatigue and starvation. ! dropped on a
bench in a dark corner. too miserable
TO move. Presently, behind me heard
the pert voice of waiting-maid adj
dressing some one, evidently young
coachman.
AT first 1 listened mechanically, but
was soon alert, and interested.
my lady will not sleep tonight at
her house at Hennemont,' said the
voice, but you must be at the depot.
all the same. She will take the train
at 1925, after the concert, as usual,
and will arrive here at one a. IN. She
will not leave her compartment, for
she is to go on to Caen, where she will
sing tomorrow, in the representation
of THE Saviors of Orne"
MY. but it is fine thing to be Lol-
cite hubert, to be fashionable singer,
and to be paid 1000 francs night, for
four little songs.
"'She says that you must be waiting
on the platform, ready to take the bag
which she will hand to you, through the
window. when the train stops. You
must be quick and careful, for the bag
will contain the thousand francs for to.
nights performance, and her diamonds
which she is afraid to leave in her dress.
ing-room at Paris. and which she will
not need for the part she takes at Caen
AS for me, / have a holiday until to.
morrow afternoon
Both the woman and the BOY left
without perceivng me, where l sat in
the shadow. My head swan. I was
hungry, | had not a sou. and felt nv.
self in the grasp of an irresistible temp
tation. | came out of my corner and
inquired where Miss hubert lived
Everybody knew of the popular singer
and / had no difficulty in finding out
all / wished to know. Hennemont was
league from Poissy, on a hill. The
road lay for most of the way through
thick wood which had once been {
royal forest. The coachman was MOI
more than half my size. 1t would b,
easy to stop the carriage in the road
overpower and bind him, and flee will