The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-05-16
Selected Mlistellanp
THE THREE PELLETS OF BREAD.
an Excellent Story in Ihfee Chapters
THE FIRST PELLET.

past at one Of the tables of the Cafe de
Paris. The succulent dishes had been
apparently we'll seasoned with wine, for
all their faces were illuminated, and all
were talking at the same time.
Nor was it surprising that the meet
ing had been a jovial one. The am
phityon-George Benier by name
only the other day sub-lieutenant of the
the 9th Regiment of Dragons, had un.
expectedly inherited fortune estimated
at six hundred thousand francs. Barely
a month lad elasped since he had re.
ceived, whilst serving in Spain, the
news Of the death OF an uncle, who had
left him heir to the accumulations of an
industrious and well-spent life. He had
obtained cave of absence, and had hur.
ried off to the capital to realize his Cor
tune. He had also invited what few
friends, chiefly college chums, he had in
Paris to participate in his happiness.
He had nine-in day or two he would
have 6fty. A man with a well.lined
pocket has always plenty of friends.
The banquet held in honor of this
sudden accession Of funds was coming
to conclusion-that is to say, the party
were at their last bottles of champagne.
Awaiting coffee, every one was laughing,
talking, and gesticulating, without con.
cernIng himself about listening or be-
ing listened to. The host, who was
more animated even than the others,
probably because, in his quality of host,
he had deemed it necessary to set a
good example, was endeavoring to get
a word in concerning his feats of valor
10 the Peninsula expatlating upon the
assault of the Trocaderc on the 3lst of
August, 1928, and the delivery of
Ferdinand VII, from the hands of the
Cortes but every one was too happy to
listen to details.
In the meantime, coffee had been
brought in. The young man-George
Benier was in his twenty first year
was lifting his cup to his lips, when he
suddenly put it down again with an ex-
clamation Of surprise and disgust.
t.Gareon , he shouted, in a voice
that made the whole establishment
start, take this cup away at once
And, as he said this, pc pointed to
two flies that had been stupid enough
to take bath in the hot fuid-a bath
which had cost them their lives. One
of the garcons took away the cul whilst
another busted himself in repairing the
disaster. The guests were laughing
heartily at the discontinue of the
lieutenant of dragons. 'Ah ah /
said one, George is afraid OF fly!'
But Prosper Dyonnet, college chum,
interposed - Don't you remember he
used to kill them by hundreds, his con-
science troubles him, and now the sight
of two dead flies awakens his remorse.
The Interpolation excited renewed
laughter, in which George joined hear
tily.
True, gentlemen, l always had a
horror Of flies, and 1 became so skilfuI
by dint of practice in killing them with
pellets OF bread, that | got the surname
of Tueur de ntouches.' I have not lost
my skill yet, can tel. youI; but if I ass,
assinate fiet, that is no reason why l
should also swallow them"
tWell said, observed one of the
guests and with after dinner thought
lessness, and the love OF fun natural to
youth, he proposed that George should
give them proof that he was still entitled
to what he was pleased to designate as
glorious title to distinction.
To this effect roll OF bread was taken
from table close by. George Benier,
os serious as il he were about to solve a
problem in mathematics, broke it, took
out the crumb, and began to prepare his
ammunition. Having made three pei.
lets, he held them out in his open hand.
Now he said, who'll bet that |
don't kill fly at each ehot p
'We'll all bet shouted the guests. -
What shall it be? A monster punch?
Good ; but what distance do you ais
low me?'
I'VE leave that to you-a pellet of
bread is not precisely conical ball.
In the interval, man, apparently
above Fifty years, with gray moustaches
and coat buttoned up-evidently an old
soldier-had come into the cafe. Or
dering cup of chocolate, and was read
ing as he awaited his refreshment. The
room was crowded with flies, halt stupe.
fed by the approach Of winter, and
George Benier had settled upon the new
comer-one on his arm, another on his
neck, and third had the impudenoe
actually to alight on the very hand that
held the paper. The guests watched
the direction which Georges eyes had
taken, and the some malicious idea oc.
Cured the same moment to all their ex-
cited brains. This idea 6as mutually
exchanged by Rods, and smiles, aud ir.
telligent glances, but not formulated in