[The Historian of these adventures feels most keenly his utter inadequacy to the requirements of this scene. Need he say that the above description is a complete _fiasco_? Reader, your imagination, if you please.] CHAPTER LVII. THE DODGE CLUB IN PARIS ONCE MORE.--BUTTONS'S "JOLLY GOOD HEALTH." Not very long after the events alluded to in the last chapter a brilliant dinner was given in Paris at the "Hotel de Lille et d'Albion." On the arrival of the Senator and Buttons at Paris they had found Mr. Figgs and the Doctor without any trouble. The meeting was a rapturous one. The Dodge Club was again an entity, although an important member was not there. On this occasion the one who gave the dinner was BUTTONS! [Illustration: He's A Jolly Good Fellow.] All the delicacies of the season. In fact, a banquet. Mr. Figgs shone resplendently. If a factory was the sphere of the Senator, a supper-table was the place for Mr. Figgs. The others felt that they had never before known fully all the depth of feeling, of fancy, and of sentiment that lurked under that placid, smooth, and rosy exterior. The Doctor was epigrammatic; the Senator sententious; Buttons uproarious. Dick's health was drunk in bumpers with all the honors: "For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-e-e-llow! For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-e-e-llow!! For he's a jolly good FE-E-E-E-E-E-LLOW!!! Which nobody can deny!" All this time Buttons was more joyous, more radiant, and altogether more extravagant than usual. The others asked themselves, "Why?" In the course of the evening it became known. Taking advantage of a short pause in the conversation he communicated the startling fact that he had that day received a letter from his father. "Shall I read it?" "AYE!!!" unanimously, in tones of thunder. Buttons opened it and read: DEAR SON.--Your esteemed favor, 15th ult., I have recd. "I beg leave hereby to express my concurrence with your design. "My connection with the house of Francia has been of the most satisfactory kind. I have no doubt that yours will be equally so. "I inclose you draft on Mess. Dupont Geraud, et Cie of Paris, for $5000--say five thousand dollars--rect of which please acknowledge. If this sum is insufficient you are at liberty to draw for what may be required. "I remain, HIRAM BUTTONS." Thunders of applause arose as Buttons folded the letter. A speech from the Senator proposed health of Buttons Senior. Another from the Doctor. Another from Mr. Figgs. Acknowledgment by Buttons. Announcement by Buttons of immediate departure for Cadiz. Wild cheers! Buttons's jolly good health! "For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-e-e-llow! For he's a jolly good fe-e-e-e-f-e-llow!! For he's a jolly good FE-E-E-E-E-E-LLOW!!! Which nobody can deny!" THE END.