Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 2 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

BONDS Some few notices went Yours, ever visited here. astray owing to change of address. for instance, M. Charlot—”’ Charlot started guiltily as all eyes 1 were turned upon him, and he blew his nose noisily to hide hig confusion. ‘Your emotion does you credit, my dear fellow,” said the attorney. ‘It shall not go unrewarded. Two hundred notices were issued. As I look around ,me I see but thirty-five who responded, thinking less of their beds and more of their friend. Brief- ly the bulk of my clients’ estates is left to charities. A sum of seventeen thousand five hundred francs was, . however, set aside, to be divided among those who at- tended the funeral of my late friend, who in his later years, had lost some of his faith in men, but not in all men. There is, therefore, due to each of you the sum of— of—hum—five hundred francs as a token of remembrance from our excellent friend. Permit me to give to each of you this little envelope and to wish you good:day and a pleasant memory. The spirit of our old comrade will be well pleased with all of you.” Charlot received his envelope with trem- bling hands. At first he had wished to say ‘No, I have not deserved this;” but when he thought of Caparolle, and Marcelle, and Suzanne, and even of the concierge, he ac- cepted that which fate had certainly thrust — upon him as a reward for virtue. ~ He returned to find Caparolle rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Did you get the five francs, old man?” asked that worthy eagerly. “No!” said Charlot, concealing his joy. ““ Alas, no! ” Caparolle groaned dismally. “Then we are certainly in thé soup.” THE KEY TO THE OF BOHEMIA. “Soup to nuts, my lad. I do not rise at six in the morning to earn a beggarly five francs. On the contrary, such is my vir- tue,. which I commend you to emulate, sluggard, that it has been rewarded by the sum of five hundred francs. Here is your half, Caparolle,” he added, passing the notes to the etcher, who had retreated, thinking the poet’s head had been turned by misery. ‘If you are wise you will in- vest it in government stock. If you are foolish like me you will dress yourself and accompany me to Mme. Renaud’s. There we shall collect Marcelle and Suzanne. I fancy a little trip to the country will do us all good, and in your prayers do not forget to thank our good benefactor, M. Sou- vestre.”’ “In short,” coneudet Charlot, beaming upon me as T sat attentive to his amazing tale, “1 am sure M. Souvestre, looking down from above, must have enjoyed the manner in which we spent his legacy. I fancy, however, M. Coupeau has cursed him many times since.” ‘““Coupeau. I fail to see where he comes in. Where does he figure in this story of yours.” “Oh, him!” said Charlot blithely. “ His downfall can be traced back to the francs of M. Souvestre. Without them our little party would not have gone to stay at a little hotel at Poissy, and if we had not gone there Marcelle would not have met Coupeau, who was stopping there. ungrateful hussy skipped with Coupeau, ran through his saving in a year, and de- stroyed his prodigality of words. What I ' give him is no charity, my friend, it is pay- ment for having released me from one of the bonds of Bohemia which might have in time fettered me to poverty forever.” ee PAST E wrote his memories with eager zest, And said: “JT have them fast—may live again Each joy if I but read!” He read in vain; The words were but chirography, no more; Rekindled naught to life. Then he forbore, Left his dim chamber, put away despair, And sought the open. Lo, through sunlit air His happy past flew homing to his breast! 5 Arcosy Grace H. Boutelle. MICLOOOK 209: The C@