Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-03

sion of amusement. half-imbecile morio
feared upon the table. His huge form, for
| he was a giant among stalwart men, and
| his great moon-shaped head made him at
| orce object hideous and miserable TO
contemplate. But the poor creature seemed
unaware of his own deformities, and smiled
| coEtentedly and patted the table caressing-
= ly to the sprightly rhythm.
| Gazing upon this choice assemblaSe, the
| PLEASANT was vaguely conscious that some
| of the curious and uncommon faces seemed
| familiar, and the picture of the Franciscan
! monk whom they had Overtaken on the
| read required to him, together with the
| misgivings he had experienced upon part
i ing from that canting knave.
| He half expected to see Nanette, to hear
| her voice, and was relieved that the gypsy
| on this occasion did not make one of the
| unWonted gathering. The landlord, observ-
| ing the FOOLS discriminating gaze and read
| ing something of what was passing in his
| mind, reassuringly motoned the newcomers
| to unoccupied corner, and by his manner
| sought to allay such mistrust as the ap-
| pearance of his guests was calculated to
! inspire.
| I'VE have to take those that come" he
| said, deprecatorily. THE rascals have
| money. 1t is as good any lords. Be
/ sides, whateer they do without, here must
| they behave. And-for their credit-they
| are docile as children; ruled by the cook s
| ladle. You will find that, though they be
| ill company, you will partake of good fare
[ If l say ii myself, there's no better master
| of the flesh pots outside of Paris than at
| this hosiery. The rogues eat as well as
| the kings gentlemen. Feasting. then fast
| ing, is their precept."
| 'At present we have a leaning for the
| former good host" carelessly answered
! the fool. Though the latter will, no doubt
| come later"
For which reason 1t behooyes a man to
| eat, drink and be merry while he may re-
| torted the other. what say you to carp
1 on the Spit with ShallOtS and a. ham boiled
| with pistachios?" 4ft
THE ham, If it be ready Our appetites
| are too sharp to wait for the fish,
! Then shall you have with it cold teal
| from the marshes, and I'll warrant such a
| repast as you have not tasted this many a
| day. Because man lives in a retired
| spot 1t does not follow he may not be an
! epicure,' he went on, land in my town
| days was considered a good fellow among
| gourmands." His eyes twinkled, he studied
iShed kitchenward
HIS self-praise as a provider of creature
| comforts proved not ill-deserved; the vi
| ands, well prepared, We're soon set before
| them; serving lad filled their glasses from
| a skin of young but sound wine he bore
! beneath his arm, and, under the influence
| of this cheer, the young girls cheek soon
lost its pallor. In the past she had become
! accustomed to rough we'll as gentle COM
pany; so now 1t was disdain not fear she
| experienced in that uncouth gathering; the
same sort of contempt she had once so
| openly expressed for Master Rabelais
| whipper-in for all gluttons, wine bibbers
| and free livers.
| AS the darkness gathered without the
| merriment increased within. Over the
scene the dim light cast an uncertain luster
| 1ndefatigably the dicers pursued their pas
| time, with now and then an audible oath or
muttered imprecation. which belied that
! docility mine host had boosted Of The