River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-11-29
An Absurd
AIlIndX 4
~
By ALAN HINsDALE


Jules Latrobe was one of the best
dressed men in Paris. Anyone who
saw him walking on the boulevard in
gray trousers, fancy waistcoat and
spats, Prince Albert coat, the whole
surmounted by silk hat of, the latest
model, and carrying in his gloved hand
gold-headed cane, would have
thought him a descendant of the ante
revolutionary aristocrats.
One morning Jules was walking on
the Rue Rivoli, where there are many
shops, and met lady whom he mis-
took for former acquaintance. Rails
ing his hat politely, he said:
Woodworking, Madame, it is long
while since we have met. see that
time has had no effect upon you. You
are as charming as ever"
The lady gave Mr.. Latrobe wither-
ing glance and swept past him, leaving
him quite disconnected, for he intend
ed no harm, really believing the lady
to be an old acquaintance. She was
an American, doing little shopping,
intending when she had finished to
visit the Louvres and enjoy an hour or
so among the pictures. After the in
cident with M. Latrobe she proceeded
to the gallery and there waited for
her husband, with whom she had an
appointment
"Bob," she said, when he arrived, IT
will not go out alone again on the
streets of Paris. These people who af-
feet such politeness are infamous.
They consider any woman who APP
pears alone on the street legitimate"
"You have been spoken to-insult'
ed?"
eyes,
"By whomY
"By one who is evidently gentle
man. That's the worst of it,
"Could you identify him?"
eyes, if I should see him. But how
-"
"True, there is little chance of meet
Ing him again. How unfortunatey'
"Why unfortunate?'
Because if I could meet him I
would punch his head"
Captain Bob Emerson had won
brevet in the Spanish-American war,
and on leaving the service had been
married and was now on his wedding
trip.
The next day Mrs. Emerson, taking a
maid with her for protection, went
shopping again. Again she met Mr..
Latrobe. Either he did not see her
or pretended he did not. He turned
into a shop and Mrs. Emerson sent the
maid in after him with instructions to
secure his name and address. The
maid returned with bit of paper on
which was written in pencil, Jules
Latrobe, Is Rue D'Alger."
Mrs. Emerson had no intention of
giving the paper to her husband. She
simply desired to learn whether the
man who had spoken to her was
duke or count, or possibly member
of the Corps Legislatif. She was some
what disappointed to learn that he
was neither.
Meantime Captain Emerson had
narrated the incident to friends, men,
tioning that if he could find the ag-
gressor he would chaStise him. The
captain was informed that the only
chastisement allowable in Paris was
under the code duellO.
Mrs. Emerson, when she went to her
hotel with the slip of paper bearing
Jules Latrobe's name and address,
tossed it on the dresser. Her husband
coming in later saw it and asked her
what it was. She reluctantly told him
that it was the address Of the man who
had insulted her. Emerson took 1T up
and left the room Immediately.
He hurried to Is Rue D'Alger and on
the threshold met man of whom he
inquired where he could find M. La
trobe The man informed him that M.
Latrobe was not in. Emerson asked
when he would be in, and was in
formed that it was impossible to tell.
He came and went at his pleasure.
The captain produced his card and
handed it to the man, saying:
"Give that to M. Latrobe and say to
him that I desire to meet him at his
earliest convenience. I trust there will
be no delay"
The next day messenger delivered
small package to Captain Emerson
with bill for twenty francs written
under the printed name of "Jules La
trobe, Fancy Stationary" Puzzled,
the captain opened the package and
found 100 visiting cards bearing the
name of Edward Emerson.
Crashing his teeth the captain
seized his hat and went to the Rue
D'Alger. This time he found M. La
trobe in the shop.
"Are you M. Latrobe?" asked the
captain, hotly.
81 am. Whom have the honor to
address?"
81 am Robert Emerson"
"Ah! The gentleman who left the
order for the oards?"