Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-07-29
THE EVICTION
OF MONSIEUR
BY
J. G. PLUMMER
Copyright. 1904. By Daily Story Pub. Col


/ baggage" said Mrs. Raggett, 'un-
less he pays me what he owes me. And
tomorrow morning, too"
II think Musseer Grande means all
right" demonstrated Capt. Gaggett.
somewhat feebly.
You are nice judge Of people, you
are" retorted his wife, scorntully
there's not a rum-sucking old sailor
about the wharves who hasn't borrowed
money from you, and they all mean well.
tYoud think the Old Boy meant well,
suppose, if he stuck you on his fork"
Capt Raggett, guiltily conscious of
having loaned Capt. Simon Bond dol
1ar, that very morning, held his peace.
For a whole month that old French
man has been promising me my money"
continued Mrs. Raggett, says he's
letter coming from France with a lot of
money in it. Where's the letter, I'd
like to know? won't be made fool of
no more"
wait until tomorrow night pleaded
Capt. Raggett, "the letter may come to-
morrow"
Letter from the moon," shifted his
wife, there's no letter, you ninny; he's
only playing off on me for time"
If you please" said a gentle voice
from the staircase, SIS it that the post
has come not yet?"
"Ges, he's come, gone and forgot it,
replied Mrs. Raggett, roughly.
And no letter" cried Monsieur
,Grande, with gesture of despair. Il am
idesolated, Madame Raggett. Again
cannot fulfil my promise. But patience,
Madame, it must come, it must come"
There may have been gales at sea-"
put in Capt. Raggett.
'Yos, yes" exclaimed the Monsieur,
land held the ships ahead, no aback;
patience, Madame, patience"
The old man ascended the stairs to his
room, supperless. for Mrs. Raggett had
made no hospitable sign.
Monsieur Grande was the sole boarder
at the Raggett mansion. The tall, thin,
old Frenchman, with the oval of his face
accentuated by the grey imperial at his
chin, with his gentle manners and per-
petual struggle with the idioms of the
English language, had made many
never made favorable impression on
Mrs. Raggett. That strenuous lady de-
nounced his gentleness as weakness,
and his mistakes in language, stupidity.
At first the Monsieur made a meagre
living, writing for some Franch news
paper, but, latterly, his contributions
seemed unwelcome, and he became back
in his board. Then a letter came from
France, and the Monsieur came to Mrs.
Raggett. his face as radiant as a sunny
day in June. In his excited manner he
read that legal matter had been settled
in France, and that remittance of 3 1000
frans would be made the monsieur by
the next mail. Monsieur trod on the
air. He invited both the captain and
his wife to dinner at a French restau-
rant. and to the theatre afterwards. He
promised treats, galore, to the neigh
bors, and presents to the dirty children,
who loved to play tricks on the old
Frenchman.
But day succeeded day, and the letter
came not. Day by day the irony of Mrs.
Raggett changed to insulting mockery
and the gentle old man was over
whelmed with shame. Wistfully he
watched for the postman each day. and
sadly he bowed his head, as he passed
the house, without leaving the expected
nlssive.
Capt. Raggett, entering his room,
stealthily, found the old man sitting
with his face on his hands.
"Ahoy. musseer,' said the captain,
softly here's bit of bread and am
hooked from the safe. Eat it,"
g! am desolated," groaned the mon
sieur, will the letter nevaire Gomez"
"Musseer," said the captain, suffering
from throat obstruction, you'd better
get ready to weigh anchor tomorrow.
COMMENT" asked the monsieur.
"The missus II ask you to get out to-
morrow" explained the captain, still
suffering with impeded utterance. Il
want to give you the word"
II must leave; is it that must leave?"
That's what she says" said the cap
tain, "and you come straight down to
the schooner Nautilus. I'll give you a
berth"
But my letter, captain. 1t will come
here, and must be here to get It,"
Capt. Raggett shook his head, sadly.
He did not believe in the letter, but not
for the world would he have had the
monsieur suspect his doubts.
Mrs Raggett arose the next morning,
in first rate humor for an eviction