The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-06-20
A SUBSTITUTE.
By ARDEN.
[From the Chicago Home circle.l

0OIuC u1ty years dSO, GNV }OcHS ACti
of the same age were seated in a stage
that was rafting along the road to Alb
beville. Though total strangers to each
other, before the close of the journey they
were bosom friends.
The younger of the two, whom we will
name Nllllers, was Of an extremely open
and communicative disposition, so that i,
was not long before his companion was
IN full possession not only of. the history
of his past life, but of his intentions anf
aspirations of the future
The immediate object of his present
journey, he said, was to make the &c
quainranee of a young lady, whose parents
had entered into an arrangement with his
own, years ago. to give their daughter to
him in marriage, when they should both
nave grown up.
From all hear, he added, "Annette
Hoppe is as lovely as she is amiable
and already I feel myself deeply enamor-
ed OF her. You are married, no doubt %
Neither married nor likely to be, -
replied Beaufort, laughing. Ny history
is mere prose compared with the roman
tic poetry of your life! I am to meet my
uncle, General g., who writes to inform
me that he has been able to procure for
me position in one of the departments.
am to meet him at the hotel tomorrow
evening at six precisely for he is one OF
the most punc5ual men in the world.
The two young men, by natural agree
ment, repaired to the same hotel
''Supposing you 60 to the opera, said
Beaufort to his friend, after supper; II
have several letters to write, which will
occupy me some time; and when YOU re-
turn we can enjoy ourselves-a while before
going to bed.
And so it was arranged. Villiers went
to the opera, and returned home about
eleven.
Il have just finished, cried Beaufort,
as his friend entered the room; ''but tell
me, how did you like the opera %
Il have got into a mess 1t was late
when [ entered the opera house. | had
not taken my seat long when | felt some
one tap me rudely on the shoulder, and
a gentleman in rough voice Informed
me that | had taken his seat, and that
must move. IF he had spoken civilly
would have relinquished my seat at once;
but [ told him | had been shown there,
and there | should stay in spite of han
At this he got angry, and so did l. Well,
the end of it is that he demands satisfac-
ton, and that we are to meet tomorrow
morning at six. Now, my dear fellow, [
know nobody whom | could ask to be my
second. VIII you? that is, if [ am not
presuming too much upon your short ac-
qualntance.
'Of course [ will, my dear Villiers :"
Thanks thanks but / am going to
make another demand onyour friendship
In case | fall: will you deliver these let
tiers to Mr.. Hoppe, and break the news
to HIM as faVorably as you can? In one
respect you see, it will not be very pain
full duty, because they know nothing of
me-in fact have never seen me; so that
my loss viii break no ones heart, not
even dear little Annette s p
Certainly, l will perform your wishes
to the letter: only | feel confident you
will be able to act as your own ambassa-
DOR
Early next morning-some minutes be-
fore the appointed iime-Beaufort and
Hilliers were at the spot agreed upon
They had not to wait long until the other
party arrived also Beaufort had not
been without some hopes of being able to
bring about an amicable adjustment but
all his endeayors TO do so proved fruitless
mere mockery-the two principals now
turned back to back. When they had
each stepped twelve PAGES, they were to
turn round and fire. Precisely at the
same instant their weapons were discharg-
ed, but not With the same results. Vii
liers fell to the ground with short cry
of pain, shot through the heart, Whlle
his adversary received his bullet through
the left arm
There was no time to be lost. Beau
fort first ca.re was to make. arrangements
for the funeral, winch was appointed for
six clock the same evening This be
ing done. a more disagreeabe commission
still remained behind He had promised
Viliiers to break the news to Mr. Heppe.
1t Is always unpleasant 20 be the bearer
Of sad news; still, Beaufort felt that no
grief OF heartrendering nat,I'e would be
to any of the Hoppe Iat. 'liy.,
Mr. Hoppe was a retired ms rchant
In former years when he had engae ed IN
business, he had been under great oil
cations tC young Vil!ier's father, wl'o
assisted him at a time when. but for HE
aid, he must have been utterly ruined
Annette had only been appraised few
days of the intended visit of young Vii
liers Though she felt that she could
safely trust her happiness to her parents,
it will not be a matter OF surprise to hear
that she felt Ill at ease at the unexpected
Il do believe our darling does not like
the idea, said Mrs Hoppe one evening
to her husband as they We're setting alone;
she looks so pale and thoughtful! l
wish from my heart the arrangement had
never been made.
Tut, tut my dear? OF course she
is little thoughtful, | suppose you We're
-eh, my love? But, at all events, don t
let us prejudice ourselves against the
young man. Indeed, from all L hear, he
is possessed Of really good qualities. Let
me see: he is to arrive tomorrow, so
mind wife, we give him a good recep-
ton.
Next day, precisely at the time ap-
pointed, carriage drove up to the door
Mr. Hoppe, his wife and daughter, were
assembled in readiness to welcome their
visitor.
s'What an elegant young man, ex-
claimed old Hoppe, peepng out IRON
behind one OF the curtains, III order to
have a good look at his expected son-in-
law before he entered the house.
''And how good-looking, /" exclaimed
the wife, who. was similarly occupied,
under cover Of the other curtain.
"W Welcome, my dear young friend, .
said Mr.. Hoppe. advancing to meet his
guest at the hail door; welcome to our
house. My wife and daughter are all
impatience to shake you by the hand T.
Gould [ sreak word with you in pri-
vate?" whispesed Beaufort, who deemed
the present fitting opportunity to com
municate the intelligence of young Vii
lier's death.
''Presently, my dear friend, presently
We shall have plenty of time for that y