THE MAN WITH THE FLOWER.

Bruce Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 2182, 11 July 1890, Page 5

THE MAN WITH THE FLOWER.

A well-known fashionable French gentleman, with a taste for cards, has been exciting the attention of the curious in the French capital. When times run merrily withal, his costumes are of the best and the richest. Afterwards may come for him a period when fortune ceaaea to favour.

Then the luxurious topcoats, lined with sealskin, and the expensive evening suits, fade out of sight. Shabbiness creeps slowly into being, and seamy cuffa, frayed button-holes, and ragged collars tell the unmistakable story of want.

But in evil times, as in good, the wanderer always wears a magnificent crimson flower. His button-hole bouquet may be worth more than the whole wardrobe upon his back, but it is never missed from its place, although how it ever came there was a mystery for a long period.

At last the wonder came to light. A few years ago, Monsieur had a ran of luck. The goodness of chance favoured him. From the moment he sat down to play, the croupier passed over the spoils of the table to him, until at last, late in the evening, he rose the winner of j^a fortune.

Next morning" be had a good long meditation over the sudden turn of the wheel, and knowing perfectly well that " lightly come, lightly go," he determined at any rate, to be sure of the one luxury of life which he prized more than his dinner — the wearing of the most matchless crimson flower in his button-hole which France could supply.

Going to his favourite Jleuriste's, he ba "gained for a fresh bouquet every morning as long as he should live, paid a handsome sum down in full payment of the floral annuity, and went back home, satisfied that, whatever happened, he cnuld always gratify his pet vanity.

Since then, hard times have encompassed the flower-wearer's path, but notwithstanding the seediness of his clothes, there is always to be seen in the lapel of his coat the one incomparable flower of the day,