Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1884 — A Story from the Life of Dumas. [ARTICLE]

A Story from the Life of Dumas.

The following story from the life of M. Dumas, the elder, says the Parisian papers, has never been published before. One day the great novelist had to pay a draft of 5,000 francs. If he could not pay it the doors of the prison at "Clichy were open for him. Walking along the boulevards and meditating on his position he came across one of his fellow-workers, as yet unknown, who had only a few days ago been admitted into the Society of Dramatic Authors. His clothes were shabby, his hat of advanced age, he himself was long and thin, with fiat feet, and a walking-stick in his hand. “I am saved” thought Dumas, and to the man he said: “Do you want money?” “Of course.” “Come along, then, and do as I bid you.” They took a cab and drove to Scribe’s, where Dumas instructed him to walk up and down the pavement while he went into the house. On arriving, Dumas dashed into Scribe’s room, exclaiming, “They have caught me; I must go to Clichy.” “Impossible. How much money is it?” “A mere nothing—s,ooo francs. Look down there.” Scribe stepped to the window and saw the stranger keeping guard near the vehicle. He gave Dumas the money, and the latter took his departure in great haste. His companion received 500 francs and the rest he kept himself. A few days later a meeting was held by the Society of Dramatic Authors, at which Scribe presided. There were only a few members pres- - ent, and Dumas, with his fellow-work-er, sat in the front.row. On rising to open the meeting, Scribe recognized the shabby fellow, and angrily called for the servant to throw the police officer out of the room. “Such persons had no business there.” In the midst of the general confusion Dumas approached the President’s chair, and whispered something into Scribe’s ear. The latter burst into a loud laugh, and then composing himself, said: “Pray pardon me, it is a mistake; you may stay.”— St. James' Gazette.