Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 76: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

208 “None of. your affair, coguin de sort!. Gare! Get out, or I will pin a wooden cross on you. Back to the bistro, bour- geois!” This last outrageous insult curdled the poet’s blood, already half frozen. For a moment he had some idea of resistance, but after all a funeral was no place for brawl- ing, and he prudently climbed down ‘from his seat. “Now, get a move on, my little man,” growled the driver, assailing the poet's nos- trils with a whiff af his past evening’s de- bauch, and flourishing his fist. ‘ Quick, or i make a mouthful of you. Off with that coat and hat. Now, run along, and if I catch you near the stables Tl paralyze you. See!” The poet saw, “and meekly surrendered his trappings, shivering with regret as he saw his five francs take wings, then moved out of reach of the ee which still fell about his ears. So precipitate was his retreat that he did not stop going until he nearly fell into a trench and realized that he was in the midst of the mourners, among whom bus- tied the sour-faced little man whom he had driven. “ You are just in time,” said he, catching Charlot by the sleeve. ‘ Better late than never. A friend of the deceased, I be- lieve.” Yes,” faltered Charlot. M. Souvestre.”’ ‘Your name and address, mensieur.’’ Charlot furnished the desired inforfna- tion. . “Good,” said the little man politely. “ Might I trouble you to come back with the rest of the faithful friends of M. Sou- vestre. You can drive in my carriage.” ‘With pleasure!” agreed the bewil- dered poet, stepping hastily behind a tomb- stone as his friend, the director of funerals, went past, wearing a serene and happy smile. Charlot regarded his back bitterly. How was he to get his five francs from him? | . Luckily for Charlot’s skin the interloper on the box of the coach was sleeping when he reached it in company with the little man, and the poet skipped inside hastily. ‘Ves, I knew -the right to that title. THE ARGOSY. His companion sat silent, snuffing from a silver box, and grunting at intervals, never opening his mouth till they arrived at the. house of M. Souvestre, deceased. “After you, my dear sir,” he said, and Charlot obeyed him. The shock to the driver at the sight of this passenger was such that he reeled in his seat and con- tinued to stare with unbelieving eyes till the poet was safely indoors. “This way, M. Charlot,” said his guide, ushering him with the other mourners into a large salon, where the poet stopped. and rubbed his eyes. On a table in the middle of the room was spread a feast such as he never expected to see again—cold chickens, ham, lobsters, salads, deserts, wine bottles by each glass, and wine upon the loaded buffet. “In the name of M. Souvestre, I bid you welcome,” said the sour-faced little man. “Sit down, gentlemen. You must be hungry. It was my late client’s wish that’ you should not regret the inconven- ience of this early morning, and that for the last time you should enjoy a hospi- tality which in his lifetime was unsparing.” _As in a dream the poet ate and drank. Well, at any rate he was having his five francs worth. Only there was Caparolle awaiting his return. What would he say when his comrade arrived bloated with food, but without a sou in his pockets. Still, no use leaping to the sad conclusion, and cheerfully Charlot fought his way through to coffee and an excellent cigar. At this point their host rose to his feet and put on an enormous pair of spectacles, clearing his throat. “Your attention, my friends. I will not detain you long. No doubt you are won- dering within yourselves what is the mean- ing of all this. Within this room, through which have passed so many who called themselves the friends of M. Souvestre are now gathered all those who have earned My late client fixed the hour of his funeral himself. It was.to be at six o’clock in the morning, an hour inclement and unseasonable; but not ap- parently for those who desired to pay their last respects to an old and valued friend. The hour was announced to all who had A ARcosy | DOO CO AMG S C@