The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-05-24
The Three Pellets Of Bread.
THE FIRST PELLET.

THE FIRST PELLET.
In 1924, towards the end Of Octo-
Der, ten young men were concluding a
repast at one Of the tables Of the Cafe
dc Paris The succulent dishes had
been apparently well eeasoned with
wine, for all their faces were illumin-
ated, and all were talking at the same
time
Nor was it surprising that the meet
ing had been a iovial one The am-
phitryon- George Benier by name
only the other day sub-lieutenant OF
the 9th Regiment of Dragons, had
unexpectedly inherited fortune esti-
mated at six hundred thousand francs.
Barely a month had elapsed since he
had received, whilst serving in Spain,
the news of the death of an uncle, who
had left him heir to the accommodations
of an Industrious and well-spent life.
He had obtained leave of absence, and
had hurried off to the capital to rea-
lie his fortune. He had also invited
what few friends, chiefly college
chums, he had in Paris to participate
in his happiness. He had nine-in a
day or two he would have fifty. A
man with a well-lined pocket has al
ways plenty of friend.
The banquet held in honor of this
sudden accession of funds was coming
to a conclusion that is to say, the
party we're at their last bottles oil
champagne. Awaiting coffee, every
one was laughing, talking, or gesticu
lating, without concerning himself
about listening or being 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 good example,
was endeayoring to get a word in con-
corning his feats of yalor in the Pc
ninsula; expatiating upon the assault
of the Trocadero on the 3lst of Au-
gust, 1923, and the delivery of Ferdi-
nand VII. from the hands of ihe Cor
ties; but every one was too happy tc
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
exclamation of surprise and disgust.
"Garcon r he shouted, in voice
that made the whole establishment
start, take this cup away at once"
And, as he said this, he pointed to
two flies that had been stupid enough
to take bath in the hot tluid-a bath
which had cost them their lives. One
of the garcons took away the cup,
whilst another busted himself in re-
pairing the disaster The guests We're
laughing heartily at the discontinue
of the lieutenant of Dragons.
"Ahl alb p said one, George il
afraid of a fly"
But Prosper Dyonnet. a college
chum, interposed: Don't you remem-
Der he used to kill them by hundreds
! his conscience troubles him, and now
the sight of two dead flies awakens his
remorse."
The Interpolation excited renewed
! laughter, in which George joined
heartily.
"True," he said, gentlemen, al
WAYS had a horror of flies, and | be
came so skilful by dint of practice IL
killing them with pellets of bread, thai
| cot the surname of 'Tueur de mouch.
es.' | have not lost my skill yet, can
tell YOU; but if i assassinate flies. thai
is no reason why | should also swat
low them.
"Well said" observed one of the
quests; and with after dinner thought
lessness, and the love of fun natural tt
youth, he proposed that George shoulC
give them proof that he was still emit
tied to what he was pleased to deslg
nate as a glorious title to distinction.
To this effect roll of bread was ia
ken from table close by. Georg
Benier. as serious as if he were abou
to solve a problem in mathematics
broke it. took out the crumb, and be
Gan to prepare his ammunition. HAY
ING made three pellets, he held then
! out in bis open hand.
"Now." he said, who'll bet that
don't kin a fly at each shot 2
"Well all bet, shouted the guests
oWhat shall it beY A monste
I punch p
, oGood; but what distance do 20
allow me 2"
ave leave that to you-a pellet c