Evening star., 1921-05-29
4 RIST1DE Pujol started life on


~ his o~n account as chasseur
~ In a Nice cafe-one of those
luckless children tightly en-
caked In bottle-green cloth by means
Of brass buttons, who earn a sketchy
livelihood by enduring with cherubic
smiles the continuous maledictions of
the establishment. Before his days of
hunted-little e-devifdom were over ne
had acquired suficient knowledge of
English TO carry him. few years
later. through various vicissitudes in
England. until. fired by new social
ambitions and self-educated in hap
hazard way. he found himself appoint
ed professor of French in an academy
for young ladies.
If the head mistress of the academy
had herself played dragon at his
classes, all would have gone well. He
would have made his pupils conju-
gate irregular verbs. rendered them
adopts in the mysteries of the past
pArticiple and the subjunctive mood.
and turned them out quite innocent
French tongue. But dis alter visum.
The gods always saw wrong -headedly
otherwise in the case OF Aristide. A
weak minded soverness-and in a
Eoverness a sense Of humor and of
novelty is always sign Of a weak
mind-played dragon during Arstide's
lessons She appreciated his method.
which was colloquial. The colloquial
therefore were a gigEling Joy from
beginning to end. He impaired to his
pupils delicious knowledge. En- avez-
vous des-f-homards? Oh. les sales
which. being translated. is: Have you
any loosers? Oh. the dirty animals
they have hair on their feet'-a catch
phrase which. some years ago. added
greatly to the gayety Of Paris. He
made according to his own state
ment) French a living a language.
The head mistress suspected lack
of method in the teaching of NJ. Pujol.
and one day paid his class sur
prise visit.
her. The class. including the COVER
ness. oubbled and gurgled and Shrek
ed with laughter. NJ. Pujol. his bright
eyes Aeleam with merriment and his
arms moving in frantic gestures.
danced about the platform. He was
tide told . story he told 1t with the
eioquence Of his entire frame. He
eent himself double and threw out his
'Ii stait saeui CONNIE un porc," he
And then came the hush of death.
The rest Of the artless tale about the
man A. drunk As pig was never told.
The head mistress. indignant majesty.
strode up the room.
m. Pujol. you have a strange way
OF giving French lessons."
Il believe. madame" said he. with a
polite bow. .'in Interesting my pupils
in their studies"
"Pupils have to be taught. not in
terested," said the head mistress.
VA, kindlxy the ola fhrnnph
some irregular verbs"
So for the remainder Of the lesson
Aristide. under the freezing eyes of
the head mistress. put his sorrowful
which his own knowledge was singu-
1arly inexlct. And At the end received
his dismissal. In vain he argued. Out
raeed Minerva was inplacable. Go he
must.
1kYE and him. then, one miserable
w December evening. standing on
the arrival platform Of Euston station
(the academy was near Manchester,
an unwonted statue Of duoiety. At his
feet lay his meAger valise: in his
hand was an enormous bouquet. a
useful tribute Of esteem from his dis
consulate pupils: around him lug
EaSe-laden porters and passengers
hurried: in front were drawn up the
long line Of taxis. their drivers
WAtefpfoofs glistening with wet: and
in his pocket ratified the few paltry
coins that. for heaven knew how long.
were to keep him from starvation.
Should he commit the extravaganza
Of taking q taxi or should he go forth.
valise in hand. into the pouring rain:
He hesitated.
"Sacfe mile cochons. Quel chien
de climat." he muttered.
A smart footman standing by turned
quickly and touched his hat.
Bse pardon sir; I'm from Mr.
"rm glad to hear it. my friend" said
you're tn. French gentleman from
Manchester
Then. sir. Mr.. Smith has sent the
motor for you"
"rhat's very kind Of him." said Aris-
tide.
anp tine followed. The footman held in
vitinRly open the door of cozy
Limousine. Aristide paused for the
fraction of a second. Who was this
hospitable Mr.. Smith?
bah" said he to himself. the best
wAv OF findins out IL to go and see"
He entered the car, sank back luxu-
riously on the soft cushions and in
hailed the warm smell OF leather. they
started, and soon the pelting rain beat
harmlessly against the windows. Afis-
tide looked out at the streaming
streets. and. hugEing himself COM
fortably, thanked Providence and Mr..
smith But who was Mr. Smith?
ITEMS. thought ne. there were two lit
tie Miss Smiths At the academy: he
had pitied them because they had
chilblains. freckles and perpetual
colds IN their heads: possibly this was
..heir kind papa. But. after all what
did It matter whose papa he was" He
vas expecting him. He had sent the
motor for him.
Hampstead. standing. as far as he
could see in the darkness. in its own
grounds. The footman opened the
door for him to alight and escorted
him up the front steps. neat par
lormaid received him in comfort
ably.furnished hall and took his hat
ana greatcoat. and magnificent bou-
S..Hr. Smith hasn't come back yet
from the city, sir: but Miss Christa-
bel I. In the era-ins ;,,ins roDm; eDi..,s give
tne back my bouquet"
The maid showed him into the
drawing room. A pretty girl OF three,
and.tventy rose from fender-stooi
and advanced smilingly to meet him.
vondsr,ne whether Thomas would
spot you. I'm so glad he did. You see.
neither father nor I could give him
any DESCRIPTION. for we had never seen
you"
English loved titles.
He seems to be an intelligent fel-
lov. mademoiselle."
There was a span OF silence. The