Ferdinand Feghoot was an ardent admirer of the great
Sarah Bernhardt. It was whispered in Paris that he
would do anything for her.
One cold winter day in the 1870's, they were strolling
together along the Left Bank when suddenly, right
before them, an elderly gentleman threw up his hands,
cried out "Adieu! All is lost!" and cast
himself into the river.
"Helas, it is Aristide Plonc, the good landlord!
" screamed la Bernhardt. "Aristide, try to
swim! Come in to the bank! Look, I will hold out my
parasol to you!"
"I refuse!" cried the old man. "I am
bankrupt! None of my tenants has paid me! I will
not come in!" And he went under again.
At that point, Feghoot took off his coat, plunged
into the chill waters, and effected the rescue.
After they had taken M. Plonc home, dried him,
filled him with cognac, and paid his most pressing
bills, Sarah embraced Feghoot warmly. "You are
brave, mon ami," she purred in his ear.
"Poor Aristide, why did he do it? He must have
been out of his mind!"
"He just didn't have enough rents
to come in out of the Seine."
(By Reginald Bretner
writing under the pen name Grendel Briarton)
