Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1904-11-26
CHAPTER VIII.

u
rather short, thck-set man, whose spark
ling teeth were hidden behind huge
black mustache, and whose black beard
was cut in the vandyke style. with all
thc precision of Partisan dandy, though
he was dressed only In stained and
well-worn pair of gray linen trousers
and a ragged blue flannel shirt. was en-.
gagged In taking down the shutters Of the
Hotel de Paris, facing the levee of New
Orleans.
The Hotel de Paris was a small, two
story building, which seemed so thin and
puny between its two four-story neigh
bors that one might have imagined some
body had found 1t in quite another spot.
and had malici sisly dropped it into its
place to FIJI up the gap. 1t was brightly
distempered In salmony pink. and the
green shutters and green window blinds
gave 1t a cheerful aspect. to which the
fiaring signboard. adorned with the leg.
end. John Roberts, Proprietor" In gold
letters on green ground, added consid-
erably.
Just then the rather unsteady and un.
even tramp Of many steps resounded on
the broad stone flags. and a company Of
the newly enrolled Louisiana state Vol
unteers, In gray uniforms with red cord
lngs. came marching by In open order car.
rying their converted Brown Bess mus
kets In any manner from the trail" to
che fright shoulder shift" singing
Away Down In Dixie" and looking for
oil the world as IL no thought of a posi-.
hle death on the battlefield found a place
In their minds.
The short. dark man, who had been
watching the soldiers pass by. shrugged
MS shoulders In disapproval Of their un-
disciplined gait, and grunted impatiently
as he dragged the heavy shutters from
their places. This portion Of his work
being over. Monsieur Henri Sainton-
for II was he-sat himself down on a
wooden stool and looked about him like
q man dazed by his exertions.
He had been sitting on the stool for
che space Of about Ave or six minutes.
when a sharp, scowling face appeared
at the top Of n small staircase. a face
rs bearded rs his own, but with the
difference that the hair was Of coarse
red Of various shades.
Look here. Henri" cried rasping
voice, what on earth are you up to now?
Are you going to kick your legs about all
day? And the red-bearded man. dressed
In linen trousers and a flannel shirt only.
came with slippered feet downstairs, and
stood facing Henri with his arms crossed
over his chest. "What do you think l
brought you here forf' he asked. with a
sneer Of disgust. do you think 1t was
60 eat sponge cake"
"No," growled Monsieur Henri Sain.
ton, IN reply to Mr.. Bernard Quayle. for
he was the gentleman who had resumed
his old pntronymic Of John Roberts. you
not bring me for sponge cake. You bring
me for clean knives, scrub floor all day.
oil night. You bring me for fight ven
sailor call you zief and make your eyes
black viz growing oyster can. rebel. I
clean knife no more. l scrub floor no
more. Negro cheap. You buy negro,
clean knife. scrub floor. I go bed"
"You ungrateful Sweep" said Mr..
Qunyle. with slow, kissing emphasis.
"Where would you be now IL had not
taken pity on your"
"MeT retorted Henri. deanntly. I'm
Paris. You come ere, and zere are cafe
concerts In Paris"
EYES," rejoined Mr.. Quayle: there are
cafe concerts, and there are also police;
and nice figure you'd cut-you. an es.
capped convict. They'd have you by the
neck before you were up to many Of
your larks. Thank your stars you are
with me. and be grateful"
Grateful" nearly yelled Henri. "Vat
for gratefui"
I'LL tell you what you ought to be
grateful for" Kissed Mr.. Quayle. "Y0u
ought to be grateful to me for teaching
you the beastly English you are speaking.
You ought to be grateful to me for allow
Ing you to share with me when we 70
lieved that conhding Dutchman Of his
two thousand three hundred dollars"
YES" interrupted Henri, "two x0u.
san gree 'underd. You take zousan' five
underd. You give me eight 'underd. I
ave nozlngs. You buy hotel. You boss.
You ave all you want. scrub floor,
clean knife, take down shutter"
At this Outburst Mr.. Quayle thought
II polite to change his demeanOr. He
became friendly, changing the subject
and saying: Confusion to that villain
Adams. who sent US to slavery In the
galleys."
"Deas to Eat pig Adams!' exclaimed
Henri, with great fervor. I've will make
of i'm food for dogs. I svearw
"And death to that wretched hussy
through whom we were sent to the gal
leys." Quayle went on.
Henris ret0rt was not so fervent. He
pursed bis lips and shrugged his shout
ders.
EYES," he cried. after moments
pause. "But she beautiful, and II she
nice viz me. not know"
"What d'you meanT' snorted Quayle
"You are not alone to be considered In
this matter. suffered through her AZ
nd 4 h0 uOt l.
You swOre you would kill her when you
got the chance"
"Yes, l swear, and I keep my swear
replied Henri. But IL she nice, very
nice, I not know" he added, with q
sigh.
Quayle looked at his companion again
as il he would have poisoned him with a
glance had he been able.
"I'n keep your nose to the grindstone
my friend" he muttered to himself. I'll
you were not intended to be my catspaw
I'd soon make short work of YOU"
At that moment the sounds Of bugls
playing march made both Henri and
Quayle prick up their ears. The clear
pulse-quickening melody seemed to gril
them, and they both stepped to the door
Another mass OF souiers--a battalion
this time-were coming with swinging
step along the road. A couple of horse
men and-what seemed more strange
a lady ON horseback rode at the head OF
the column. henri's eyes instinctiyel,
frightened as he recognized the uniform,
as those worn by the regular Frencl
Zouaves--dark blue jackets, ref
brooches, red caps with blue tassels, AM
blue Wristbands.
1T is the Louisiana Zouaves." said