The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-04

Black Head.
The landlord. a tragic person in large felt
Tat. rose from business table undor tho key
rack and came forward removing his hat with
both hands lie did
.Sir. salute you. May inquire what your
charge for artsts?" inquired Berthclin, with
courtesy at once splendid and insinuatng.
For artists?" said tho landlord His
tenance fell and the smile of welcome disap-
pcared. "oh. artists" he said. brutality; -four
francs q day" And he turned his back upon
these iuconsidcrable customers.
Accmsto toned as he TO the rubs OF his pro-
fcssion, Berthelint unpleasantly affected by
tic landlords manner.
''Elvira," said he to his wife. mark my words:
Castel lc- t;uchs is a tragic folly
Let ask for breakfast" said ehc. with
womans tact.
large. red commissnry. pimpled and sub
tect to a strong cutaneous Transportation. have
repeated the narno of his office because he
much more commissary than man. The spirit
OF his dignity had entered into him
Il have tho honor" Leon asked. 'of meeting
Monsieur lie Conmissaire?"
Tho cominissary affected by the nobility
OF his address. lie excclled Leon in the depth IL
not in the airy grace OF his sautation
Tho honor he said, rs miner
Il am continued the strollinE player. II am,
sir, artist. and have permitted myself to in
terrupt you affair OF business night 1
give trifing musical entertainment at the cafe
Of the Triumphs of the Plow-permit to offer
you this little programme-and 1 have come to
ask you for the necessary authorization"
At the word artist" the commissary had
placed his hat with the air OF person who. hav-
Ing condesccnded too far should suddenly
member the duties of his rank.
Put up your bills If you choose" interrupted
the commissary. I'm hour or / will ex-
anime your papers at the office. But go;
am busy"
The preparations were soon made; the bills
posted. programmes laid on the dinner table of
every hotel in the town, and stage erected at
end OF the cafe of tho Triumphs of the Pillow;
but when Leon returned to the office the commits
sary once more abroad
''Ho like Madame Benoiton," thought Leon
"6chu commiss airc!'
And just then he met tho man face to face
Here. sir said he. ARE my papers VIII you
be pleased verify?"
mo use lie replied, no use; am busy: am
quite satisfied Give your entertainments"
The audience pretty large and the pro-
pretor of the cato made good thing OF il In
beer. But the Berthelinis eAerted themselves In
vain
Leon radiant in velvetecn; he had a raksh
way OF smoking a cigarette between songs that
was worth money in Itself:
lie was at the top OF his register, with his head
thrown back and his mouth open, when door
WAS thrown violently open and pair new
ccmeis marched noisly into cafe. 1t was tho
eommissary, followed by the sarde champctre
How does it happen. sir" said the commits
sary, swelling in person. that find YOU mounte-
banking in public cafe without my permits
kon?"
Without" cried the indignant Leon. Permit
me TO remind you'll
la
sire explanations"
Il nothing about what you desire" re
turned the singer. Il choose to give them and I
viii not be gagged am artist. sir, n dstinc-
ton that you cannot comprehend. / received
your permission and stand here upon the strength
of ii; interfere with me who dare"
You have not got my signature. ! tell you"
cried the commssary. Show my signaturel
Where is my siGnature?"
That just the question: where was his Sig
nature? Leon recognized that he in hole;
but his spirit rose with the occasion. and he blus-
tered nobly tossing back his curls
Another word" cried the commissary. and J
Arrest mel" shouted Leon u defy you."
II the commssary OF police" said tho
official
80 II would appear"
The point was too refined for CasteI-Ie -Gachis;
II did not raise SMILE and for the commits
sary, lie simply bade the singer follow him to his
office, and directed his proud footsteps toward
the door. There was nothing for ii but to obey
Leon did so with proper pantoinme of indner-
ence, but eel 10 eat and there was no
denying il.
The maire had slipped ont and was already
waiting at the comn,issary's door Now the
MARE. in France. is the refuge or the oppressed
lie stands between has people and the boisterous
rigors OF the police. He can sometimes under
stand what is said TO him; he is not always puffed
up beyond measure by his dignity. 'rs a thing
worth the knowledge OF travellers. When all
seems over. and man has made up his mind to
Injustice he has stliI like the heroes OF n
little bugie at his belt wherein IN
blow. and the maire. 81 comfortable deus ey
machna, may still descend to deliver him from,
the minions Of the law. The rnairc OF Castcl-le
Gachis. although inaccessible TO the charms az
music as rctaled by the Berthelins had no host
tation whatever as TO the rights the matter
lie Instantly fell foul of the commissary in very
high terms and tho comnissary. pricked by his
humiliation, accepted battle the point O., fact
The argument lasted some little while with yary
Ing success. until ri length victory inclined so
plainly TO the connissagy's side that the marie
was fain 70 Tcassert himself by AN exercise Of
authority. Fe had been out argued, but he was
sun the marie And turning from his inter
iocutor. he briefly but kindly recommended Leon
to go back instanter TO his concert.
Leon did wait be told twice Jto >.
turned to the cafe OF the Triumphs OF the p,ow
with all expedition Alas. the audience had melted
away during his absence; Elvira was sitting in
q very disconsolate attitude on the l,uitar.box.
the had watched the company dispensing by twos
and threes. and the prolonged spectacle had
somewhat overwhelmed her spirits
What was it?' she asked ianguidIy
IT'S lost battle. said he; and thcn taking
IN the money box. he turned il out Three
francs sevcnty-fve! ne cried. as aeanst four OF
hoard and six Of railway fares, and no time for
the tomboa Elvira, this Is Waterloo"