French Anecdotes Of American Life

Amuig the most absurd instances of what Europeans can be made to believe true of us, i9 One incident, taken from La Vie Parisem ia which a Prench writer claims to give ,. faithful portraiture of life in Ain erica. TL-, author tells his countrymen what hapjened in his own personal experience, on ;he occasion of a visit to a yuuug Americaulady, to whom he had previously been into(juce. " ' One evenitig," says he, I found Alice alone in the parlor. Her cousin had started' out f or a walk with their Ix-aux. I was surprise tpvnotice that she as not in her usual elegant toilette, and -when I asked the reason, she said that she ■vas warm and tired." " ' Let us go to Hoboken.' I proposed. ' The fresh air from the river will do you good." " ' No,' she replied. " 'Will you go out and take some roast oysters and an oyster salad T "'No, I am not hungry.' " ' Well, then,' I suggested, ' let ua go to Mailliard's and have an ice.' " ' No, I teil you,' she said. 'But wait ! If I should go out with you what would the whole affair cost, including ure supper, the theater, and all the usual expenses i" "' I hardly know,' I answered; ' besides, what difference does it make ? It's of no importance. Come on, please, and do not worry yourself about my purse.' " ' Just listen to me,' said she. ' You would spend about $15. Now, instead of going out, let us remain at home, and take a cup of tea, and you can eive me the $15 !' " The wiiter not only vouches for the authenticity of this story, but gives otherequally ridiculous. The Figaro, reprints ing theni, gravely remarks that it is not probable that such marmers are universal iu America - evidently considering they are, however, by no means uncommon.