New-York tribune., 1909-07-11
Paris Enjoying a Farce Based Upon
a "BrdCc Game"
Paris, July !.

The Paris theatrical season comes to close
at least so far as plays are concerned
with an exceedingly droIl one-aCt comedy ny NJ
Max Maurey. produced with great success at
the Theatre Francais and acted to perfection by
NM de Feraudy. Numa and Crout. II is called
lie Stradivarius." II is irresistibly funny, ana.
strange TO say. there is not single female part
in the play. It is thoroughly wholesome and
the most straitlaced Puritan maid Of Boston
might readily take her mamma to see it. Miss
Priscilla Will probably have a chance Of doing
so. because. according 10 present arrangements,
this quaint Dickens like little curtain raiser Il
to he given in English attire next season In the
United states. Great Britain and Australia
Mcrely vague notice of the true humor OF
lie stradiyarius' can he conveyed by an out
line Of the plot. which is deity woven with dia
Iosues brimfu OF human observation. The ac-
ton pa sses In an old curiosity shop IN Paris. en-
numbered with dusty eighteenth century por-
traits. Louis Qunze silver Renaissance arm
chairs Della Rohba dishes. Louis Treize pew
ter tapestry. lace. brocades and randesticks.
Flack. the clever, INSCRIPTIONS antiquarian.
does Il thriving business by supplying American
and other amateurs Viih rare brlc-a hrac,
promptly and punctusIly. Flure. sympathetic
musician. rather down in his luck. who often
calls at Flacks shop either to borrow money or 10
sell objects fFat ne mas piiksA up H' a 'di H''i'i'
tells F4sci about certain Count krabs, Rus
sian art ,onroissedr. Who according 10 Flure, is
a bosom friend OF various grand dukes and Is IN
the habit OF making important purchases.
Fiure who has come into the shop after the
performance Of one OF his concerts. casually
leaves his fiddle in its case on table during
brief absence. Count krabs enters the shop
and inspects and critcises object after object.
which Flack commends with eloquent yirtuosity.
Count Krabs remains insensible To all the wares.
But while Flack is vaunting the graceful lines
Of a Leonardo da Vinci vase. for which a prince
~ price is dernan nded. Count Krabs catches sight
of F1ure's violin. He examines il with grave
attention and reverence. lie says "Ah! This
is Just what | have been looking for for years.
No doubt about there is genuine Stradiva-
rius, | must have it." This is complete sur
prise for Flack, who nevertheless rises 10 the
situation By remarkng. "Ah. How unfortunate!
This priceless instrument does not belong To me,
but TO a friend OF mine who is a musical artist"
mo matter" answers Count Krabs Il must
have it at any cost. Try and arrange the mat
ter with your friend l will pay 20ooO francs
for It. but on one condition. and that is it must
be delivered to me to-day. l shall be at my
hotel until 4 o'clock" Count Krabs leaves the
shop, after selecting one or two vases OF value
to be delivered at the time the violin
In comes F1ure who wants Flack to buy a
sevres coffee cup. Flack turns TO Flure. and
offers him 100 francs for his violin F1ure hest
tates and says: "Oh. no! l could never part
with my old violin. 1t was bequeathed TO me by
a dear friend. venerable musician. and 1t would
be criminal in me sell it Just think 1t
over" says F1ack II Will give YOU far more
than II is worth. l have taste for music and
I want this violin. Come. what do you say to
200 francs7" This bargaining is spun out with
great cleverness. until at last Flure consents to
part with it for 10000 francs. Flack pays him
the money forthwith and Flure takes formal
receipt. 1t is getting toward 4 O'Clock. Flack
takes the violin under his and goes off to
Count Krabs's hotel to deliver the "Stradiva-
rius" and get his promised 20,00O francs. Flure
remains alone in the shop. Count Krabs en-
ters. AT what price did you sell the fiddle?
is his first question. Ten thousand francs"
replies Flure-'just think the old thief at first
offered only a paltry 100 francs for it,
Flure and Count Krabs divide the spoils and
each pockets 5000 francs. Pretty back
comes Fleck, who has called at the hotel and
been told that the count had returned to the
curiosity shop. Count Krabs opens the case of
the violin and says, why. good heavens! This
is not the same violin that l saw before. You
have changed it! This Is Stradvarius.
but ordinary tinge-tange pothouse fiddle! L
never could think of giving 10000 francs for
such thing! For gracious sake take it away
The count goes off indignant Flack faces
FIure and asks him to return the 10000 francs
FIure replies that "a bargain is bargain" that
he holds the receipt and that he has invested
the money. Luckily for Flack. opulent anna
teur enters the shop and examines various rare
objects II can offer you genuine Stradivarius
suggests Flack mo: that does not interest
me-" replies the amateur. "Ah,' retorts the
will, FIack" but this musician here can show
you the receipt certifying that I have just paid
him 10000 francs for it! Moreover" adds
Flack, II can assure you that 1t is great bar
gain and | will let you have it for 10000
francs" "Ah. Fifteen thousand francs! Why,
that is different | will give you 1900 francs
for H." The naive connoisseur hands over the
money and goes away with the "stradivai;--
and the curtain falls upon this delicious bit OF
irony. - ! D.