The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-05-24

hDoNc hity years OF age, with gray
moustachos and coat buttoned up
evidently an old soldier-had come in
to the cafe Ordering q cup Of choco-
late, he had taken up newspaper,
and was reading as he awaited his re-
/ freshment.
The room was crowded with flies,
half stupefed by the approach of win
ter, and George Benier observed that
three had settled upon the new conner
one on his arm, another on his nick,
and third had the impudence actual
ly to alight on the very hand that held
the paper The guests watched the
direction which Georges eyes had Ia
ken, and the same malicious idea oc-
CURED at the same moment to all their
excited brains This idea was mutu-
ally exchanged by mods, and smiles,
and intelligent glances, but not form
ulated into words. That would have
spoiled the fun George, encouraged
by these looks of appreciation made
his preparations for the commission of
a griovous act of folly.
/ Placing one of the pellets on his
thumb, and holding it there by the
medium finger curved into a bow, 50
as to act as spring, he took aim at
the right hand of the man with the
gray moustaches. 1t must be said to
his credit, however, that he hesitated
for moment, a ray of sense flushed
across his mind, and he turned round
to look at his friends. But all he saw
there was encouragement by mods and
winks and smiles. 1t was such fun
Alas how many foolish things are
done under the absurd impression that
there is something funny in them
Georges thumb went off; the pellet
was shot forth, and killed the fly that
lay on the officers hand.
superb Y calculated his friends,
but in subdued tones, not to interfere
with the progress Of their rich friends
experiments.
As to the veteran, he never moved
but continued to read his papaer as if
nothing had happened. Encouraged
by his success, and excited by the ap-
/ plause of his friends, as also by the at
tention of other spectators who had
been attracted to what was going on,
George Benier took aim at the Shout
der, and the second fly fell victim to
his skill After this there was no re-
ceiling. The man in the buttoned-up
coat persisted in ignoring the insults
put upon his person; there was only
I one hl more TO kill to inaugurate the
monster punch, and that fly was
stretching out its fore-feet not many
inches below the formidable gray
moustaches. Oifwert the third pellet,
and the intrusive insect fell dead. The
experiment concluded, there was no
longer any cause for silence, and all
the guests united in shouting "Viyele
Tueur de mouches !"
But whilst they were thus jubilant
and triumphant, the man in the but
toned-up coat had slowly risen, and
STOPPING, he deliberately picked up the
three pellets Of bread, which done, he
walked over, quite calmly, to where
I George sat with his friends. The
laughter now suddenly ceased, and
the attention of the other spectators
became breathless. Strangers, as well
as the friends of the "Tueur de mou-
ches," knew that matters could not
stop there, A pin might have been
heard to fall in the whole cafe.
The man with the gray moustaches
salnted the company. The salutation
was especially returned 10y George
and his guests. George was q little
pale, but calm. The veteran, extend
ing his hand, in the palm of which
were the three pellets of bread, was
about to speak. But George, who
would not allow, even for half second,
that it should be supposed that he
would leave the responsibility on any
one but himself, anticipated him.
cit was l, sir; | shot those pellets. "
The unknown bowed again
"That is sufficient, sir"
So saying, he quietly unbuttoned
his coat, and drew forth a card from
his waistcoat pocket
Monsieur" he said, "will be good
enough to show me that he is as skill
full with a sword as he is with pellet
of bread"
"Atyour orders, sir, replied George,
as he exchanged cards with his adver-
sary.
Upon the strangers card was gra-
ven: "Louis Rodet, Ex-Captain OF
Light Infantry"
Next morning at ten the young sol
der of the Trocadero and the veteran
of Austerlitz and of Wagram met, ac-
companied each by two friends, in the
Bots de Boulogne. George was a
proficient in sword exercise, but by no
means as much so as the captain. At
ter few passes he had to give up the
combat, his right arm being pierced
through and through. As the veteran
left the field, he saluted his wounded
and discounted antagonist with great
c0urtesy:-
"Tiil we have the pleasure of meet
ing again, sir, he said
"You are really too kind, retorted
George Benier.
And following the old soldier with
his eyes as he took his departure, ac-
companied by two veterans Of his own
p stamp
"Ah ca r he muttered, "what does
that animal mean with his pleasure Of
r. ] n,aotino, ma ouain - nnau no NOT