REMARKABLE STORY OF A PAIR OF TROUSERS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 92, 17 April 1872, Page 4

REMARKABLE STORY OF A PAIR OF TROUSERS.

_ o A Paris correspondent relates the following amusing story of a journalist : — " When a young man he was sent to Rome to record some passing event as a special correspondent. He had scarcely reached the Eternal City when he felt into the arms of an old friend, who at once took him and introduced him to a certain charming Italian princess. She was that night giving a grand ball at her palace. She could only give him a single word and an invitation. Delighted at so quickly getting amongst the best Roman society, he was not a little depressed at being asked by his frieuds if he bad the under-garment, tight- fitting black pantaloons — worn in evening dress in Italy. He had only tbe ordinary evening dress of an English or French gentleman. But though time pressed, he found a tailor who, for a consideration, transformed his French garment into the conventional Italian shape. Attenatnightit wasbrought to his.hotel. and iapidly arraying himself our young Frenchman went to the ball. He was introduced to pleasant partners. The music was delightful. In the second waltz, however, he felt as if seventeen thousand demons were tearing the calves of his legs. In all modesty be it said tbat the Roman tailor had left multitudinous living things in tbe inner seams, and without taking time to crush them had turned the pantaloons right side out. The unhappy Frenchman could stand it no longer. He formed a plan, and when the next fast dance commenced stole out on the balcony through one of the curtained windows, and moving to the end suddenly whipped off the unmentionables turned them inside out, and began to beat them against the marble balustrade. Unfortunately, in his haste and confusion, he displayed too much energy. The garment of torture escaped his hand' and went flying into the street. Two young pifferari thought it was a gift thrown them from an upper window, seized it, and heedless of the Frenchman's violent pantomime — he was afraid to speak — made off with the luckless article of clothing. What was to be done ? The situation was frightful. Even the dance was now over, and cavaliers were beginning to lead their partners out into the fresh air of the balcony. He looked up * it was evident that the sky could not be reached. He looked down ; nothing could save him if he jumped from such a height. How on earth was he to enter at the window and cross that room full of, elegantly dressed people to the door at the other side * and yet it must, be done. Our agile Frenchman came to one of the windows, stooped down to an almost sitting; position, pulled his inner, garment oyer his knees, and amid little screams from the ladies and shouts of laughter from the men, went hopping like, a frog. across the room. He. almost fleWj do wn . tte\ -stairs, "^ and saved ' himsel f \ from the astonished servants by a rush through the hall. It .is J needless to say! he left Rome the n^xt morning^ and,,, has ..-never einoe been,Beepan the Eternal City.