New-York tribune., 1921-06-19
FL Z n GER r

u.s. We went to bed. On the 11th we failed
TO raise any funds We tried to enlist in
the army, but were rejected. Toward
O'Clock that evening we had had our first
spell OF faintness, with queer metallic taste
on the tongue. We ate last morsel OF
sugar and drank at fountain. We were face
t. face with the abomnabe specter of starva
ton.
mo appetite! 1t is mockng thing, appe
tite. We say I am famished when a meal is
half an hour late. We use stupidity fright
tul word. Hunger, my boy, doesn't make the
stomach writhe. 1t strikes YOU brutallv with
club on the back Of the neck. You are
stunned. You can't speak
eve stayed in bed We dreamed. and orr
dreams were much alike. For Alexis tur-
key with truffies, for me leg of mutton with
hageolets. We understood each other. How
sweet it smells" murmured Alexis, in ecstasy.
And knew we'll that he was talking about a
turkey with truf1es. |, more modest, stuck to
my leg of mutton. I saw it before me, rosy,
with golden crust the flageolets softened in
an unctuous sauce. Good Lord! 1t was like
thirst in desert with an exasperating vision
OF a lemon sherbet. Full-blooded people like
me when they dream of eating almost have
paralytic stroke.
"The next day, at 6 o'clock in the after
noon, Alexis made me get up!
"'We're not going to starve here he cried.
Come! l know slightly certain M Lefour-
gex, who dimes every night in little place
near the Madeleine Well explain matters
to him. He won't let us perish. Because
you know, FRANCOIS, I swear to you that we
are going to die if we don't get something to
eat
I'VE met M. Lefourgeix as he was entering
the restaurant At first he thought we were
drunk. When he looked at us more closely he
opened wide the door of the paradise and
ushered US in, as you push sick man into an
apothecarys shop. He called OUT Serve them
two warm bouilons first The bouiilon they
give to mendicants We still had a little pride.
1T isn't necessary Alexis stammered. But
the idea of swallowing cold oysters terrified us.
All! that soup And that divine entrecote
la bourguignonne! And that cheese! And
that coffee! We absorbed at the same time
life and wisdom. Before everything else it
was question Of never having such an ex
perience again. Alexis renounced his designs.
renounced my verses. We became what you
call rich. Not rich enough to roll in a car
rlage, nor to buy works Of art, but rich enough
to eat. Since then have never had fear Of
anything except to be hungry again. / have
taken precautions-all possible precautions
never to be hungry again, no matter what
happens"
M. Capriel got up
And to-day, the 18th Of December, make
pilgrimage with my friend Alexis, as we
nave done every year for the last forty-five
years. We buy meal at the place at which
we were saved. That house brings luck It
was formerly only wine shop. Now it is a
nigh class restaurant. All the rest Of the
year am on a diet. So is Alexis. We are
paying for our privations when we were Young,
But tonight, farewell to our diets! OYSTERS
hurnham, consomme, entrecote, camembertl
AND little partridge au foie gras, which I
forgot. And the strongest Wines. Good
night' my boy. Go home and dine with YOUR
parents. You don't interest me any furtherw
The next day Leon was awakened bv his
mother. who seemed greatly upset.
We have sad news,'' she said. "Your God
father died last night. The doctor advised
nm to be careful, to live soberly. Now. If
seems shat ne ate enough for four people at a
cabaret with his friend Rebureau. He went
nome III. It's horrible. A man like that, who
mas earned millions, thanks to his intelligence.
TO dle-to die of indgestion!"
And Leon thought
My godfather didn't die of indigestion.
but II told the truth, who would believe me?
M FRANCOIS Capriel, we'll known merchant,
landed estate proprietor, died of hunger-died
OF having been hungry on the l2th of Decem-
ber, 1876"
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