The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-06-30

THE COUP THAT Failed

1
you ask me, my dear duchess,
to recount the circumstances
which so Unexpectedly prevented
our noble prince from regaining
the throne of France. You have
heard how Louis repaired to
Paris at the instigation of his
loyal companions, ready to par
take In that movement which was
to restore to our country her
royal lineage and wrest its rule
from those imbecile Republicans.
And then-all was in readiness
for him to place himself at the
head of his adherents. And he
disappeared!
Everything that could be fore
seen had been prepared for. The
labor strike had paralyzed the
capital. The electricians, acting
the part of strikers, cut the wires.
Paris was isolated from the world.
Our royalist adherents had rallied
at the strategical points, all arm
led. At the critical moment, when
our Louis devoted form should
be seen riding through the streets
upon his gallant charger, his
eagle eye flashing, his mustach
magnificently curled, concert
led movement was to be made
against the government offices
and the chamber Of deputies. The
president was to be imprisoned,
five generals were to proclaim the
restoration of the kingdom; Paris
would have been ours. and, with
Paris, France.
"And where was our Louis? For
three days he had been secreted
upon the Avenue Montmartre.
There he kept in communication
with the leaders of the move
lment.
"Only three persons knew his
whereabouts, myself, Henri and
| Auguste. The government was
mot even suspicious that he had
left Switzerland. And to think
that we were foiled, our plans
overthrow by this miserable
barber!
"Alas, my duchess. even a
lprince is not exempt from the ne
Icessities of life. He must eat. He
must drink. He needs to sleep.
And, horrible to mention, he must
be shaved. Our Louis had not
dared to intrust himself even to
his own valet, so urgent was the
need for precaution. And, though
we waited upon him assiduously
none of us knew how to shave
nor would we have dared to risk
cntlIfn0 fhn RIVAL hind
Gould We send Louis forth
unshaven, with three days
stubble beneath those magnifi.
cent mustaches? The soul recoils
from the suggestion. He would
have been a mockery. madame
What should we do?
"For long we pondered upon
this question. And at last 1t was
to Auguste that the suggestion
came.
Send for a barber said this
miserable one.
"'But he will recognize the
prince objected Henri.
But, If SO, we can detain him
until our plans have been full.
filled
$50 he persuaded us, and we
left the house and hurried to the
corner for barber. 1t was grow
ing late, and our friends were al
the rendezvous. We took the mis-
creant to the prince.
T :" DO you know this gentle
man?' ] demanded, sternly.
No. replied the barber, gaz-
ing at Louis thoughtfully. I'm
less-it is not Mons. Applepear,
the Englishman?' he answered.
HE deceived us, the scoundrel
So sure that Louis was not de-
tected, we withdrew, leaving the
barber at his horrible pursuit.
And in the next room we waited,
till a wild shrek as of some
strong man in agony resounded
through the hall. We rushed in,
just as the wretch vanished with
a flying leap through the window.
Upon the floor lay Louis,
moaning in anguish, his handker-
chief to his face. A wound of the
throat, you will surmise, my
duchess? Alas! How can I tell
it? Upon the floor / espied a
dark and silken thing. I looked
at it and at our prince. One-half
of Louis magnificent mustaches
was gomez