The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-04
PASSION FOR UMBRELLAS.


London Mail.
The death in Paris OF 'Bibi la Puree'
robs the Bour Mich Of one of its choicest
characters.
Andre Sails was once q sculptor, but for
many years past he had been Bohemian
Of the weirdest type. He attached himself
to the decadent poet Paul verlaine. and
survived his master by but seven years. He
must have been nearly seventy.
A graphic description Of Bib is given by
Mr.. j. F. Macdonald in his book, Paris
and the Parisisns." The scene is the Boule-
ward Michel and the hour 8 at night; the
students are sitting at their coffee and
cognac, when
Everyone winks, everyone laughs. as a
long, lean, rustily-dressed person comes in
view; grizzly hair falls on his shoulders,
three cabbage roses hang from his coat
He leans slightly on an umbrella, silver
mounted. neat. His eyes are humorous and
green; his cheeks shaven and sunken. He
looks seventy. Reflectively he puffs at an
inch of cigarette. Walters point at him;
students salute him. Now he bows, now he
smiles-Bibi of the Rive Gauche. Bib the
Bohemian, Bib la PURGE.
who is Bib? Secretary, valet anything
and everything, to Paul verlaine was Bib.
six years ago. They met In the Procope.
where verlaine used to take his absinthe
Soon close friendship sprang up between
the two; Bib amused and interested the
poet. When verlaine was stupefied with
absinthe, IL was Bib who led him home
When Verlaine had no money to buy alb
sinthe. II was Bib who sold the poets auto
graphs on the Boul' Mich and his books
on the Quays. Two years passed; Verlaine
fell ILL., In spite of Bibi's tender care he
grew worse. and was removed TO the hos
pital, where he died-leaving Bib a legacy
OF three shirts.
Then all at once a strange passion took
possession of him. He had rot known il
In his youth-it seized him suddenly and
amounted, IN short. to this terrible vice: an
irresistible craving for other peoples UNI
brellas. His honor tottered before them.
Old or new. shabby smart. they stirred
in him dishonest emotion. He would use
stratagem, craft: visit corners casually.
linger by hatstands lazily, disappear sud
denly. until someone would say, ITEMS. on
est Bib? Et items, on est mon paraplule p
Next morning Bibi would enter the Pro-
cope as though nothing had happened"
On the anniversary of Verlain's death
the students subscribed for new suit and
presented 1T publicly TO Bib at the cele-
grave Bib wept bitterly. and the mourners.
the ceremony was done. But alas, Bibi's
soul had been stirred by stack of UNI
brellas leaning against tree. 1t was too
much for him; drying his tears, he slipped
away, and with him disappeared no less
than fifteen umbrellas"
In his latter days no students feast or
carnival cortege was complete without Bibi
At mi-careme he went through the streets
on a throne. as Bib simply. with umbrellas
about him. ON all points of etiquette
Latin Quarter etiquette-Bibi was consult
ed. He had a hand. too. in every practical
joke. He IL was who helped Karl, the stu
dent, TO trick NJ Quesnay de- Reaupaire: the
notion of employing Yelled Lady was
his And there was much JOY in the Quarter
When the joke took triumphant effect.