Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1903-04-26
SERVES PRINCE AND PAUPER
Remarkable Old Woman who Has
Sold Papers for Thirty
six Years.


Copyright. 1903, by Press Publishing Coz
PARIS, April 25.-(New York World Ca
blegram-special Telegram lone Of the
central figures Of the opera quarter In the
"City Of Light" is Nine. Duperron, 75 years
old, who has kept for thirty-six years a
newspaper kiosk Just to the right as one
comes out OF the Grand hotel on the Boule-
ward des Capucines
Through the winter fogs and cold and
the summer heat and dust OF a full genera
tion this eccentric but highly intelligent
woman has been at her station daily with
unfailing cheerfulness to wait upon custo-
mers who come from all quarters OF the
globe and speak all languages. During the
siege OF Paris she sold evening extras with
unrufied calm while shells were scattering
death along the boulevards.
Throughout the commune she continued
her daily tasks, wisely expressing no opin-
ion on any question except that the public
could not read too many newspapers, and
thus escaping interference.
She once caused a great commotion in
the Place de L'opera at a military review
by Napoleon HI. Somebody of not enough
social Importance to insure an audience
with the emperor was keenly anxious to
bring to his notice letter, the story goes,
and Nine. Duparron never denied It, that
the letter was written by a woman in
Napoleon's household whose husband had
| deserted her in a manner particularly
shameful, even for those times.
Nine. Duperron volunteered to place the
letter in the emperors hands. While the
emperor was reviewing the troops, sur
rounded by splendidly mounted chasseurs
she suddenly darted from the crowd and
rushing to Napoleon's side, forced a letter
| into his hands.
score OF arms were outstretched 10
thrust her back, but the emperor took the
letter, directing the mounted men to see
| that the woman was not trampled by their
| horses. Furthermore, II is said that the
writer Of the letter achieved her end and
| that through the medium OF the emperor
| her husband was restored to her.
The intrepid young woman who pushed
aside an emperors chasseurs three decades
ago is bent yet active old woman today
| with intelligent memory, rich in striking
| experiences and instances. These Ameri-
| cans and English who live in Paris OF
| often come here call her affectionately
| "Auntie," while their children know her al
| the good fairy Of the "Kiack," though some
| irreverently call her old Madam Bend
over because OF her stoop from age. She
| is as kindly as ever and no one follows the
march of events more closely than does
she. Half English and half French-heI
| parents having been born on different sidei
Of the channel-Mme. Duperron is not only
| an object OF interest, affection and respect
to foreigners. but she has great clientele
among the Parisians. For years one OF thu
most fashionable clubs in the city has sen
a stylish carriage every night to take hel
| home.
One will occasionally find Nine. DuperroI
apparently dosing. but II he thinks she II
asleep let him try to pick up paper ant
pass on without paying for It.
/ Those who have seen her, decade Aftel
decade, taking in money, and never spend
| ing any, say she is rich and connected will
a noble British family. To this Nine. Du
perron responds:
Nonsense, have no money. l am onl!
an old woman who, from an advantageou
point on a busy thoroughfare OF the mos
remarkable city In the world, has had
chance to observe much. / have had m,
experiences and am content to go on earn
ing my living SO until the end, glad to hea
the people call me 'Auntie.'"