Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1902-06-07
THE BINDERS.

excited the curiosity of the fashionable
world Where this society met, what
was its object, and whether the mem
bers were consplring against the French
government, or against foreign govern
pents, were questions frequently asked
in fashionable drawing rooms. Yet no
one was able to answer these perpleXing
questions, while the significant name OF
Binders" by which the society was
known. only served TO deepen the mys-
terry and 70 make the world at large
more curious about it.
1t was noted, however, that all the
members of the organization Were bach
elors and also that they belonged to the
NEST distinguished families of France.
Now, however, that the society no longer
lndiscreet for me TO write the odyssey
of this very interesting group.
The chief end of the society was to
demonstrate to its members the beauties
and privileges Of celibacy, cOntrasted
with the irksomcncss and disadvantages
of matrimony. hence the significance of
the name "BlinderS meaning that they
hal closed the blinds of their hearts
against marriage The gay president.
Hector dc MeydeSir, AMI the vice presi-
dent. Dntailly. were, Of course. the most
rampant advocates of celibacy. The for
mer, q handsome young bachelor of 80,
had for his motto Love all pretty WON
en- n motto which he carried out with
scrupulOus nicely.
The views of the vice president, Dutail-
~. naval officer. and the intimate
friend of De Meydcsir were diametricai-
~ opposed 70 those of the president. for
he entertained most profound contempt
for women. They irritated and pro-
voked him, and when forced to be in
their company he appeared awkward.
timid and i'll at ease, and could never
fathOm how Sylf-respecting man could
so far forget his dignity rs to lead a
cotillon. Still, under these two widely
different characters the society increased
and progressed and for some years was
extremely prosperous However. on
cannot play perpetually with fire with
ont being burned, and 50 the wings of
the gay. handsome butterflies Were
singed by the pretty girls with whom
they profcssed to ilirt, and gradually,
the heroic efforts of the
twp founders, the members slipped away
and joined the ranks of the benedicts,
leaving only the president and the vice
president to guard the citadel.
Another fool, Crowlcd Dutailly,
throwing Figaro on the table beside him,
as be and De Meydesir sat in solitary
grandeur one morning in the clubs
lounging room.
"A fool? WHO'S a fool?" languidly in
quired the president, looking up from his
book. ------.. ---~.-.,.--,.-- ..->----e.--
CASTOR de Foemerin," gruffly respond
ed Dutailly; 'he has gotten married.
De MeydeSir contented himself with
simply yawning, then after a pause he
said with tlippant air, Poor dewitt, |
pity himI He should have followed the
example Of the butterflies, those bright
winged fairies of the air. They sip the
sweets from all the flowers. but do not
fnger with any of them, and that is my
Dutailly had listened with ill-concealed
bad humor and when his colleague had
women, both young and old. aud TO me
they are simply unintcrCstiug bundles of
chiffon. roses and silk"
"a letter for Monsieur de MeydcSir,"
said the valet as he entered the room. in
terrupting the conversation. The preSi-
dent took it, broke the seal and exclaimed
gaily, "A note from Mile. Cleo. who cx-
poets to see me this afternoon at the
Baronne de BIS tea. Adieu, Dutailly.
until tomorrow he said. as he left the
room. Three days later Dutally, the
sea dog, was ordered off on a long cruise
in foreign waters, and when he returned
TO Paris after an absence of four years
he was broken hearted 10 learn that the
president of the Binders" his COM
panion and intimate friend, Hector de
McydcSir, had broken his vows and had
taken unto himself a wife; and finally.
after many hesitationS and interior CON
filctS with himself, he resolved To call
on Hector ana learn from his own lips
the motives which had induced him to
ahjurc his principles
Monsieur is at home" said the valet
as he opened the door ar The De Meydesir
mansion, Introducing the Infatuated Off
Ger into a splendid Moorish room. where
he found the lord of the household. lying
back IN a luxurious arm chair. his hand
some head resting ON a soft cushion
while he blew clouds of smoke before
him from the most delightful OF Turkish
cigarettes, nutailly looked about him in
disgust: everything in the room Savored
OF teminlmty, from the gold. narrow
rlmmed miniature of a beautiful girl on
the mantel TO the rare Moorish vase on
the table with its gay bouquet of glo-
rlouS PINK carnations. As soon as the
first illusions of greeting were over. Du-
tailly IN his characteristic blunt fashion
snapped out: Il understand YOU are
married. Isis il really true?"
Most asSuredly, old fellow" came the
prompt reply. Il have been a benedict
for three years" Dutailly gave Il slight
start as though ne could scarcely believe
the words, then squaring himself ON his
chair, he looked with compassion on the
eN-preSident of the Binders" as he said
in plying tones:
OF course You are unhappy"
Not in the least. my dear boy. On
the contrary, | am the happiest man in
the world"
Il don't believe it," grutlly responded
the sea dog. Then in words tinged with
scarcasm he reminded De Mey dcsir of his
butterfly theories
Here take n cigar" said De McydeSir
and listen 10 the story OF my
is quite unique Directly
after your departure | lost heavily at
play. my father grew angry at my eX-
travagauce and declared he would no
longer cancel my debts, then to retrieve
my fortune | borrowed from mouey-lend-
crS; was unfortunate q second time and
found myself followed about by hant,
Of creditors, One morning | received a
curt note from my father requesting me
To cal Ion him. | Went. he received me
with an avalanche of abuse. declaring
that he had been greatly annoyed 10y my
creditors to settle my eNtrnva-
giant bills. And you settled them" I
said. No, | refused he answered
Sternly, and, moreover. I warn you thar
or next day YOU will he lodged
at Clvky
This announcement really startled