The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-07-31

With no introduction whatever, he
walked into our club one evening in
such winning unsophistieation and
confidence that no one had the heart to
stare him out, however politely. His
manner was captivating, his voice per-
feet, his French accent a delight. With
q simultaneous glitter of white teeth
and sparkle of black eyes, he an
nounced that he was SO much 9
stranger in Philadelphia, but that he
would for the winter remain, and that
he did game of chess so much like
to play
1t was mildly suggested to him that
our club membership was very limited
as to numbers, and that many were on
the waiting list, but he did not grasp
the significance of this, saying that he
would only the game of chess play once
in the while.
EVERYTHING was in his favor We
were all in good humor that evening
He was well, even elegantly dressed
and as good-looking as picture. His
manners were those of the cultured
Frenchman. There was about him an
air of youthfulness and vivacity, and
of good will toward all men that was
most attractive. While talking he was
constantly on the move, and every
movement was graceful. He took us
all by storm with a gesture describing
his loneliness. He seemed made to be
always the center of a group, and the
vivid despair of his gesture, accompa-
MED by delighted smile and a sparkle
of teeth, was takingly humorous. We
exchanged chances among ourselves
and several Of us went into the chess
room with him.
1t was not supposed that so light
and graceful a creature could play the
nobIest of games; but he won two out
of five from one of the best players
His moves were absurdly swift, the
longest probably not taking more than
half minute. Indeed, our nan clearly
lost one game because he was ashamed
to take time for thinking the matter
out. On his side, the the little French
man was so filled with delight at every
good move by his opponent and was SO
ready with surprising remarks and pre-
posterous and unheardof EXPLANATIONS
and phrases that there was group
hanging about his board all evening.
1t was impossible to be bored while in
the neighborhood of so much life, en-
ergy, movement and good will. I trust
that he may see this mention of HIM
self and learn that he was liked and
appreciated.
The outcome of it was that Pierre
Pierre Levavasseur we learned to be
his name-Was asked to drop in once
in a while; membership complete, but
we should be glad to see him and have
a game with him whenever he felt like
it, He did not thank us, seeming to
think it a matter of course; but his
face lightened UP and he looked at
us all as though he thought us de-
lightful.
Devoted to chess and also company,
he "felt like it" rather frequently. Be
fore a month had passed there was no
longer q man in the club who. grum-
bIed because of his presence. With
women about there might have been
jealousy and trouble, as he would
doubtless have had much less diff
Guilty than the average man in win
ming woman's heart; but, the fair
sex being absent, we all elected to
think him an exceedingly good fellow,
Even Telephone, the club dog-so
called because he was in the habit of
talking to his master across 500 miles
who would scarcely notice many OF
the old members, took a fancy to
Pierre. Strangers were always warn
ed not to approach Telephone without
proper introductions, and then only In
a respectful manner; but Pierre had
only to give him a smile and a hearty
pat and they were friends. No doubt