Marshall County Republican., 1867-05-10

Ddb WOulu udNC SPUN INC iuh- oSoiSc,
encouraged by these looks of appreciation,
made his preparations for grievous act of
folly
Placing one of the pellets on his thumb,
| and holding it there by the medium finger
curved into bow, so as to act as spring,
he took aim at the right hand of the man
| with the gray mustaches. 1t must be sa id
to his credit, however, that he hesitated
for moment, ray Of sense flashed across
his mind, and he turned round to look at
his friends. But all he saw there was en-
couragement by mods and winks and smiles.
1t was such fun Alas how many foolish
things are done under the absurd impress
sion 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
"Superbr p calculated his friends, but in
subdued tones, not TO interfere with their
rich friends experiments.
| As to the veteran, he never moved, but
continued to read his paper as if nothing
had happened. Encouraged by his success
and excited by the applause of his friends,
as also by the attention of other spectators
who had been attracted to what was going
on, George Benier took aim at the shoul-
der, and the second fly fell victim to his
skill After this there was no receding
The man in the buttoned-up coat persisted
in ignoring the insults put upon his per-
son; there was only one fly more to kill to
|, inaugurate the monster punch, and that fly
was stretching out It's fore-feet not many
inches below the formidable gray mus
taches OFF went 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 "Vive le Tueur de mouches,"
But whilst they were thus jubilant and
triumphant, the man in the buttoned-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 George sat with his
friends The laughter now suddenly
ceased, and the attention of the other spec
tators became breathless. Strangers, as
well as the friends of the "Tueur dc
mouches," knew that matters could not
stop there. A pin might have been heard
to fall in the whole cafe.
The man with the gray mustaches saluted
the company. The salutatIon was respect
fully returned by George and his
guests. George was little pale, but
calm. The veteran, extending his hand,
in the palm of which were the three pellets
cf bread, was about to speak But George,
who would not allow, even for half sec
ond, that it should be supposed that he
would leave the responsibility on any one
but himself, anticipated him.
ut was l, sir; shot those pellets"
The unknown bowed again
That is sufficient sir"
10 no orrlQtlU unhyrttnnQA N hlc
coat, and drew forth card from his waist
coat pocket.
Monsieur" he said, "will be good
enough to show me that he is as skilful
with sword as he is with a pellet of
bread -
AT your orders, sir, replied George, as
he exchanged cards with his adversary
Upon the strangers card was craven
"Louis ROdet ex-Captain of Light In
fantry"
Next morning at ten the young soldier
of the Trocadero and the veteran of Aus
terlitz and of Wagram met, accompanied
each by two friends, in the Bois de Bou
lOgnc. George was a proficient in sword
exercise, but by no means as much so as
the captain. After 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 wound
ed and discounted antagonist with great
courtesy:
It'll we have the pleasure of meeting
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, accompanied
by two veterans of his own stamp
"Ah hal" he muttered, what does that
animal mean with his pleasure of meeting
me again.? Does he not think one lesson
of politeness sufficient? The idea is any
thing but reassuring."
George Benier had to keep his bed two
months. His wound was severe, and he
had to observe complete repose. After
these two months, a third was enjoined in
his room for cOnvalescence.
at was well worth while" be said to
himself, "to hurry from Spain to claim my
inheritance, and to have to spent three
months in suffering and tedium."
But at length he was free, and happy in
being able to walk, cat, run and laugh like
everybody else. Prosper Dyonnet re-
manned his boon companion, although he
entertained a slight grudge towards him
for his folly in resuscitating his talents as a
collegian in so opportune manner. But
he remembered also that George had had a
few glasses of champagne too many, and
he forgave him. Prosper, besides, knew
Paris intimately, and not only assisted him
in procuring carriage and horses, but also
introduced him to the world.