Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1909-08-06
& TheOnly Personal


few years ago and can testify to its
truth.
My friend, Paul. is French news
paper writer, a "rara avis" that is
to say, an excellent man full OF kind
ness. incapable of hurting any one or
of taking an unfair advantage by
means of his profession or of his
newspaper. On the contrary. his
greatest pleasure consists in doing
good. To please, to serve his friends
and give happiness to politicians, lit
terary men and artists enchants him.
81 cannot understand" said he,
"the modern newspaper, aggressive.
exploiting private life, commercial.
practical. am not practical. Salts
fed with the little money l make,
every day when retiring l like to
think that 1 have given pleasure to
some one"
Truly" said I, like kings you
have an epithet. Everywhere they
call you The Good Senator A. says
ne does not know how to show his
gratitude for the puffs you have given
him, The Duchess X. spends the day
pointing out the notices you write on
her balls and dinners. You must
have a great many friends"
"a great many. | am one who be-
lieves in friendship and this year 1
shall revel in It,"
"How?"
"You shall see. Now that we are
alone / shall make a confession to
you. You know that six months ago
l abandoned the theatrical column
to take charge of the society notes.
The manager wished it because he
said l treated the actors and singers
entirely too well and 1t is true. In
two years l have declared all the ac-
tors, actresses, tenors and baritones
to be the most eminent. What does
It cost to give them pleasure? And
have the satisfaction of being able tc
say that 1 have done 1t gratis; that
no one can claim that l have even
asked as much as a ticket"
You were not so kind to all, for
poor Guerra
"Ah, Gueral!"
Eyes, you have not been in the
habit of treating him well, far from
It,"
at is strange" exclaimed my
friend, ait is incomprehensible. mys-
terious, but the human heart is thus.
He Is a fellow that irritates me.
When they applaud him. regret it
with all my soul. 1t is my only re-
morse, but he annoys mel"
"He sings very well. and is a very
good actor"
at may be, but detest him."
go on with what you were say
Ing"
"Ah, yes, you will see. What I
wish to confess to you is that l am
very appreciative of presents"
'Indeed?"
mo matter how small: or better
still. prefer that they be small. As
am incapable of asking anything in
exchange for the thousand favors that
l do. so l am happy If presented with
a flower for the buttonhole. un petit
rien, as we Parisians say. And as to-
morrow is my feast day"
you can count on my present, and
the first of ALL"
"No, l forbid it, for you are a
friend of the heart, the only one that
must give me nothing. Promise that
you will not give me anything"
81 promise. and get of easily"
"But to all others, bankers whom
have dubbed opulent and who do not
own two rooms, women | have called
handsome and who frighten little
children, orators, poets, duehesses,
widows who give receptions. ladies
of doubtful social success who give
balls, to all who spend and triumph
and whom I Aatter, I have told that
tomorrow IS St. Paul's day. You
know how it is done. DO not expect
me the day after tomorrow, for it is
NV feast day. ON Thursday shall
not dine out for 1t is my feast day
And so, everywhere the announce
ment is made"
at is customary"
''And I hope that more than four,
yes, more than ten Will remember me,
don't you think so?"
How can you doubt it?"
you shall dine with me. Here,
we two, served by my faithful SER
want. Mary. we shall drink a bottle
of champagne.
And drink to goodness :.
and to puffery,"
THAT is decided"
Well, l went to spend the whole
afternoon of his feast day with him.
The table was full of visiting cards.
1t was O'Clock when reached the
house. Paul was playing a waltz on
the plano.
MANY returns of the day, Paul.
Let us see what has come to u.s.
Nothing yet. Cards "a
telegram from the Marchioness M.
from her castle. The FORTRESS wished
that God might grant me a thousand
years. The baker. while felleitating
me. told me that henceforth bread
Will be dearer."
What were you playing?"
And we spent the afternoon sing
ing ballads, until Mary began to set
the table. And the cards continued
to arrive. One was from a friend who
regretted his inability to give a pres
ent, as he had lost at the Bourse. A
very rich deputy wished to come in
person instead of sending his card.
And my poo> PAUL. growing sad,
very sad, said:
Mary, go and get us SOM Ndes-
sert. / have not bought any. INIT
ing on the bonbons and fruit aN1ny
friends"
And | tried to hide a smile. for
"The Good" as we called him, would