Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1912-02-20


that the celebrated box-keeper i'm
agined that everybody knew her.
Never heard of herr" the manager
declared. "But that's no reason,
Name Gfry, why l shouldn't ask you
what happened last night to make you
and the inspector call in a municipal
guard
Il was just wanting to see you, sir,
and talk to you about it, so that you
mightn't have the same unpleasant
ness as M. Debienne and M. Poligny.
They wouldn't listen to me either, at
first"
I'm not asking you about all that.
I'm asking what happened last night"
Name Giry turned purple with in
dignation. Never had she been spo.
ken to like that. She rose as though
to go, gathering up the folds of her
skirt and waving the feathers of her
dingy bonnet with dignity, but, chang
Ing her mind, she sat down again and
said, in naughty voice:
I'll tell you what happened. The
| ghost was annoyed again."
Thereupon, as M. Richard was on
the point Of bursting out, NJ. Mon.
charmin interfered and conducted the
tnterrogatory, whence 1t appeared that
Name CRY thought 1t quite natural
that voice should be heard to say
that box was taken, when there was
nobody in the box. She was unable
to explain this phenomenon. which
| tn hor Nv
PREVENTION of the ghost. Nobody could
see the ghost in his box, but every
body could hear him. She had often
heard him; and they could believe
her. for she always spoke the truth
They could ask M. Debienne and NJ
Poligny, and anybody who knew her:
and also NJ Isidore Sack, who had
had leg broken by the ghost!
Indeed" said Moncharmin, inter-
rupting her. did the ghost break
poor Isidore Sacks leg?"
Name Giry opened her eyes with
establishment at such ignorance. How
ever, she consented to enlighten those
happened in NJ. Debienne and M.
Poligny's time, also in Box Five, and
also during a performance of Faust.
Name CRY coughed, cleared her
throat-it sounded as though she were
preparing to sing the whole OF
Gounod's score-and began:
TT was like this, sir. That night,
NJ. Maniera and his lady, the jewellers
in the Rue Mogador, We're sitting in
the front of the box. with their great
friend, NJ. Isidore Sack, sitting be-
hind Nine. Maniera. Mephistopheles
was singing"-Mame CRY here burst
into song herself" 'Catarina, while
you play at sleeping and then NJ.
Maniera heard voice in his right
ear (his wife was on his left saying,
'Ha, ha! jules not playing at Sleep
ing!' His wife happened to be called
Julie. So NJ. Maniera turns to the
right to see who was talking to him
like that. Nobody there! He rubs
his ear and asks himself If he's dream
ing. Then Mephistopheles went on
with his serenade. But, per-
haps I'm boring you gentlemen
mo, no, go on"
You are too good, gentlemen"
with smirk. well, then. Mephis-
topheles went on with his serenade''
Name CRY, burst into song again
"'Saint, unclose thy portals holy and
accord the bliss, to mortal bending
lowly, of a pardon.kiss.' And then M.
Maniera again hears the voice In his
right ear. saying, this time: 'Ha, ha!
Julie wouldn't mind according kiss
to Isidore!' Then he turns round
again, but, this time, to the left: and
what do you think he sees? Isidore.
who had taken his lady's hand and
was covering it with kisses through
the little round place in the glove
like this, gentlemen"-rapturously
kissing the bit of palm left bare in
the middle Of her thread gloves.
Then they had lively time between
them! Bang! Bang! M. Maniera,
who was big and strong, like you, NJ.
Richard, gave two blows to M. Isidore
Sack, who was small and weak like
NJ. Moncharmin, saving his presence.
There was a great uproar. People in
the house shouted. That will do!
Stop them! He'll kill him!' Then,
at last. NJ Isidore Sack managed to
run away"
Then the ghost had not broken his
leg?" asked M. Moncharmin. little
vexed that his figure had made so lit.
tie impression on Name Giry.
HE did break it for him, sir" re-
broke it for him on the grand stair
case, which he ran down too fast, sir.
and 1t will be long before the poor
gentleman will be able to go up 1t
again."
Did the ghost tell you what he said
in NJ Manera's right ear?" asked NJ
Moncharmln. with gravity which he
thought exceedingly humorous.
NO, sir, it was NJ. Maniera him
self So"
But you have spoken to the ghost,
my good LADY,"
"As I'm speaking to you now, my
good sir" Name Gily replied.
And when the ghost speaks to you,
what does he say?'
well, he tells me to bring him q
footstool!"
This time, Richard burst out laugh
ing, as did Moncharmin and Remy.
the secretary. Only the inspector.
warned by experience, was careful not
to laugh. while Name CRY ventured
to adopt an attitude that was positive
ly threatening