Judge — June 28, 1884 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

' THE JUDGE. A PF DME Y, GREAT MYSTERY a * SOLVED. DISCOVERY OF THE REAL AUTHOR OF THE “LITTLE FIVE-YEAR-OLD" STORIES IN Rentes fell rapid This was Berthier’s hour. He foreclosed his mortgages and bid in the premises. He was rich a millions. His father-in-law died, and his wife eloped with a barber. Berthier smiled, and raked in the old plumber’s fortune. The sink pipe in Count D’Arras’ kitchen sprung a leak. The Count telegraphed for Berthier, who came down inaspecial train with twenty of his trustiest ar D’Arras did not recognize his old servant in the millionaire plumber. Berthier withdrew the match that temporarily plugged the leak, and watched the orifice intently. At length a distinct and undeniable drop of water was seen to ooze forth. “Hein,” said Berthier,“ this is serious.” He instantly ordered the floor of the kitchen to be torn up, and that part of the castle wall which stood adjacent to be blasted out. This being done, relays of his artists worked day and night, and in ten days the leak was declared securely closed. It wasa magnificent tri- umph for Berthier. The ‘Journal des Plombiers” issued an extra edition with a most laudatory and exhaustive account of the delicate processes employed and the exquisite skill displayed in the achievement. Then Berthier presented his bill to the Count, who immediately went into convulsions.“ Par- donnez-moi M’sieu,” he said to Berthier when he recovered his articulation, ‘I have but 300,000 francs in bank. I must needs pray some indulgence in this matter.” HARPER'S MAGAZINE. ‘* Bah,” answered Berthier affecting a cordial bonhommie, “Am I Harpagen ?~ “ Restez tranquille, M’sieu. I'll take the money with a deed of the park and farmlands on account. You can give mea mortgage on the Castle forthe balance. What, shall we French devour one another as do those infames les Yankis du Rue de Wall? This struck the Count as very generous and equitable, and he thankfully acquiesced. He survived the interview but three days, and died leaving nothing to his only son and heir but the mortgaged castle. Default being made in payment of interest on the mortgage, Berthier immediately foreclosed and bought in the premises. Beggared and friendless the young Count became his servant as Berthier had been his father’s. Surely the vengeance of the quondam peasant was now glutted to the full.‘ Not yet, ah, not yet” would Berthier mutter to himself with a curse: “the father has gone, the son remains.” One day while lounging on the back stoop he became aware of a sound like the rapid drawing of corks in the hallway within. He softly opened the door. Young D’Arras was kissing Alphon- sine, the plumber’s only child and heiress. A malignant smile, such as a demon might cast upon a lost soul, flashed across Berthier’s | features. “You love her?” he asked eagerly, addressing D'Arras. “I adore her,” answered the youth proudly. “And you, Alphonsine.” “A sigh anda blush told’ the secret of her virgin heart. ‘* Enough,” Berthier, ‘send for the curate, I buckled on the spot. And,” continued he turning to D’Arras and slowly hissing out his words, “I wish you joy of your bride!” ‘Then when the marriage ceremony was over he said to his daughter “I’m going around the corner to see a man. It will be very late before I return. You needn’t wait up for me.” There was a strange mocking in histone. Alphonsine shuddered as he spoke. . . * . . said "Whave you At midnight of thatdaya man stood on the Pont Neuf at Paris. “A wild joy that had something demoniaca! in it lit up his features. ‘‘ First, the father,” he spoke, ‘‘and nowthe son. My revenge is slaked.” He broke intoa horriblelaugh. ‘She's the daisiest snorer in France,” he chuckled, ‘*and her feet would freeze a volcano ”—(He alluded to Alphonsine). “D'Arras is doomed, and my mission on earth is over.” Sospeaking, and with a yell of fiendish triumph that startled the slumbering ward he leaped over the parapet into the inky flood beneath, DAN. DE LYON, How does Pat propose to get over single- blessedness? Why, he proposes to Bridge- it, of course. vi domestic cookery—making both comicbooks.com