The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1856-06-11

eciNhh'; JoJiullS. Dear lnas'er now
kind you are You perceived that I
wished to hire with Monsieur Billiard,
and that | did not know how to name it
to you so You have yourself given me
permission to change / shall never,
monsieur, forget your goodness"
Here's pretty business p exclaimed
the surprised master "a that thought
-Yon rascal, do yon mean to say
that you wished to leave me for Billiard ?"
but monsieur himself
'Ur grateful !"
"Dear master, let us understand each
other Are you going to dismiss me, or
ere you not ?"
"Gct about your business !" shouted
Bonneau, for once in real passion.
Francois retired, fully pursuaded that
his master only meant to try him
Come" thought the clerk of finance,
this is but bad beginning | wanted
to make an enemy of the fellow, and he
only thanks me for my kindness !" At
that moment, Victor, tho young artist,
entered the room, holding letter i'll his
hand
"Ah monsieur, beg pardon" said
he. drawing back. Il thought You had
gore out, and was seeking Francois"
You look agitated Monsieur Victor
/ hope nothing unpleasant has occurred p
Only, monsieur, that I'm excessively
angry with Monsieur Dugrinct |
could not mount guard this morning. he.
cause my grandmother was taken sud
denly i'll. and had no one to attend her
but myself. There happened TO he
riot in the street, aud our captain. Dug
rinet, said to me, in his daughters pres
euce. that was afraid to show myself.
and kept ont Of harms way. Now that's
a sort Of thing won't bear from any
man ~
"Parhlcu r' thought Bonncau; here's
a fine opportunity for me 1t won't be
difficult to make an enemy Of this Young
fellow Really" said he aloud. Il don't
know but your captain is in the right
Every citizen should do his duty"
Certainly; but there are other duties
rs important as those Of citizen Nv
grandmother has cnly mc-the state has
many children
IF every one said that, but few would
take arms" remarked Bonneau. dryly
Every one has not so good reason
as have. y
but every one should act so as to
avoid SUSPICION"
Victors handsome face flushed high.
What nm to understand by that
Monsieur Bonneau ?"
"Whatevcr you choose "
"You nro imuudunt. 'snd the painter.
'aud must give me satisfaction. As
don't want my poor cri rindmother to be
disturbed the sooncr we fight the better:
So | will just engage n second and wait
for Won at the Bois De Boulogne."
'Why-whar - said Bonncau, who
did no, quite relish such sharp practice
'Monsieur Victor Monsieur Victor I"
But the painter was already gone
"Well,' thought Bonneau, Il won't
hurt him much. TIL just give him a
flesh wound, which will excite his raucor
against me. Billiard viii Re satisfied
when | have yourg man of talent for
an enemy" Feeling very natural
reluctance to explain the cause IF the
duel to any reasonable friend Bonneau
conientcd himself with engaging Fran
co.'s as a second. and desiring him to
follow him to the appointed llace
The valet thought his master had taken
leave of his senses and hcfnre going cut
ran to tell the story to the family of NJ.
Dugrinet
When the clerk and Lis second ar
rived on the field, they found Victor
and his friend there already They had
brought swords, and Immediately began
to fight. Bonneau was by far the best
swordsman. but, instead Of taking advan-
tage of bis superiority. he sought t, dis
arm his antagonist without hurting him
In doing So. however, he inflicted a
wound on the young mans hand, and the
blood flowed freely
"What shall | do ? You are wouded ?n
cried the o,qucror, more pale than the
conquered.
'Tis notlirg," replied Victor; {" let
us go on " But at that moment Mon
sicur aud Madame Dugrinet with their
daughter Agu"s, appeared on the field
and the ladies, like two Sabines, rushed
between the comhatantS
Stop /" shouted NJ. Dugriuct
"sbcuthe your swords, my frionG, " Then
turning to Victor. he said. Il have done
you injustice, Monsieur Victor; YOU arc
a brave fellow; and, TO moke you amends.
give you full permission to win my
daughters heart; it. indeed" he added.
smiling. you have not done so already"
"Ah monsieur !" said Victor 'hs ia
the happiest moment Of my life And
you, monsieur" he added, turning to
Bonneau ''must permit me to reckon you
among my best friends. 1t is you |
owe my felicity"
There's more Of it, muttered tho
clerk TO himself Il turn away faith
full servant. and he's delighted I wound
a worthy young man with my sword and
he's enchanted beyond measure. What
the duce shall do2 Billiard ought to
have given me recipe for making enc
mics"
Meantime the slight wound on Victoi's
hand was bound up by the slender fng.
ers Of Agnes, who, however, We are
bound to declare, took unfair advantage