A WOMAN'S INGENUITY.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3056, 30 November 1878, Page 4

A WOMAN'S INGENUITY.

X story is told in a Parisian newspaper of a certain Deputy, who, although a most exemplary citizen, and most prompt and efficient in the discharge of his duties as a Deputy, is not endowed with the gift of eloquence; who, in fact, not to put too fine a point upon it, is a miserable speaker. The other day, however, 'it became absolutely' necessary for him to address his constituents, who,' were on the tip-toe of expectation to hear, him hold forth. He rose pale and nervous, and, without opening f.his r mouth for a moment or two looked hurriedly around. Then his face brightened slightly,- and he began. - But before he had spoken half-a-dozen words a telegraph boy found his way through the crowd, and placed a telegram in the hands of the agitated orator. With trembling fingers the Deputy opened the envelope, then suddenly struck his hand upon bis forehead, and exclaimed in tones of narrowing anguish, " Ah, man Dieu / my wife, my beloved wife, the compan-ion of my life I" The rest was drowned in hissobs.r Everyone was moved with sympathy, and, amid exclamations of tender compassion and emotional pii:y, the Deputy made his way home/ Unfortunately, however* he had left the fatal missive on the table, and the chairman, taking it up, and,, being pardonably curious to know' what the terrible news which had so -deeply affcted their Deputy could be, read as follows :—" The washerwoman claims 38 francs, and threatens a public scandal; come at once, or send me the money." It was a happy device of the wife to, spare her husband the humiliation of breaking down in his attempt to address the meeting ; but she might have invented a better excuse, and prdbably would have -done so had- she contemplated the possibility of the telegram falling into other hands. . , « .