Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1895 — A FATAL MISTAKE. [ARTICLE]

A FATAL MISTAKE.

It Was Made by a Profuse Frenchman in His Leave-Taking. A citizen of France who has an Inveterate habit' of confounding everything which Is said to him, and has been endeavoring to acquire a knowledge of our vernacular, was about leaving his boarding-house for a more comfortable quarter. All the little mysteries of his wardrobe, Including his last nether garment and umbrella, had been packed up, when lie bethought to himself the unpleasant duty now devolving upon him, that of bidding “ze folks” good-by. After shaking his fellow-boarders cordially by the hand, and wishing them, with Incessant bowing, “ze verree best success in ze virl,” and “ze benediction du chief,” he retired In search of his “dear landlady,” to give her also his blessing. He met her at the staircase, and advancing, hat in hand, with a thousand scrapes, commenced his speech: “Ah! madarne, I’m going to leave you. You have been verree amiable to me, madarne; I will nevare forget you for zat. If in my countree I would ask zee Government to give you a pension, madarne.” The good lady put down her head and blushed modestly, while our Frenchman proceeded: “Veil, I must go; you know in zeese life, it Is full of pain an’ trouble. If Got adopted ze virl vlch Lamartine made In his poesie, zeu zure should be no more pain. Adieu, madarne, adieux! perhaps forever.” Thereupon the Frenchman was making his exit, when he was suddenly called back by his landlady, who interestedly Inquired; “Why, Mr. C , you have forgotten your latch-key.” Mr. C appeared amazed, apparently not understanding his interrogator. “Yes,” continued Mrs. M , “you know it is the rule for all boarders to give me their latch keys.” “Oh, madarne!” Interrupted the Frenchman with enthusiasm, “I vill give you not one—not one, but zouzauds!” Aud applying the action to the word, he sprang toward Mrs. M , and embracing her tightly in his arms, kissed her most heroically. The affrighted Mrs. M , recovering herself, at length cried out: “The key! Mr. C , the key!” Frenchy, looking confused, confounded, ejaculates with heavy sighs: “Oh, madarne! I zot you ax me for one kees, an’ I give it to you. Vat a fatale mistake!”—Scottish American.