Quits.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 7, 9 January 1886, Page 5

Quits.

Among the frequenters of a well-known Parisian restaurant was a certain methodical personage, who dined there every day, and always at the same table, which the proprietor with a due regard for so regular a customer, specially reserved for him. Onoe however by some mistake of the waiter, he found on arriving his usual place already occupied by a stranger, and inwardly fretting at the disappointment, entered into conversation with the mistress of the establishment, who presided at the counter, and awaited the intruder's departure as patiently as he could. The latter seemed in no hurry, for, after consulting the bill of fare, he ordered another dish and a fresh bottle of wine, seeing which the liahitui, who would rather have gone without his dinner than taken any place but his own, resolved at all hazards to get rid of the unwelcome guest, and addressing the dame dv comploir in a low tone inquired if she knew who the individual at his table was. "Not in the least." she replied; "this is the first time he has been here." "And ought to be the last," he significantly remarked, " if you know as much as I do."

" Why, who is he ?" " Tho executioner of Versailles I" " Mon Dieu I" exclaimed the • terrified dame dv comptoir .- and, calling her husband, imparted to him the information Bhe had just ri-.uived. "Make out his bill," he said, "»r.a countor'order whatho has asked for. He must . not stay here, or we shall, lose every customer we have." Whereupon, armed with the document in question, he presently crossed the room to where the stranger was sitting, and inquired if he were satisfied with his dinner. " Pretty well, ' was the answer, " but the service might be quicker. Why don't they bring what I ordered ?". '' Monsieur," replied the tmiteur, assuming an air of importance, " I am compelled to say that your presenco here is undesirable, and that I muse request you to leave my house as soon as possible, and on no account to set foot in it again," " What on earth da you mean \" asked his astonished guest. " You, must be perfectly well aware," continued the olher, " that your being seen here is most prejudicial to me, and " "Speak plainly, man I' impatiently interrupted the stranger. " I insist on being told whoyou imagine roato be/ " JParbleu!' you know as well as Ldo. The executioner, of Versailles!" "Ah! and pray who is your authority for this?" "That gentleman,," replied the proprietor of the restaurant, pointing to the habitue at the counter, who was beginning to feel uneasy as to the result of his l.'joke." "Indeed," said the stranger, raising his voice so as to be dis-. tinctly heard by everyone present; " that gentleman has informed you that I am the executioner of Versailles. Well, he ought to know, for two years ago it was my painful duty to. brand him !" With these words, uttered in a tone of complete indifference, he laid the amount of reckoning on the table; and without deigning to glanoe nt the would-be mystifier, walked out of the room, leaving the latter to dine with what, appetite he might.— Temple.Bar. . ..