River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1873-09-23
CECII.E.

Algiers IL the Paris of Africa, or rather.
not portion of Africa, but part of
France, that had been created by the
Armies in times OF peace as it had been
conquered IN a war by the French arms
Algiers is Paris, Of course, but in becom.
ing French 1t has not lost all its Oriental
peculiarities, and in this il is puch more
attractive than Paris as romance TO real
life.
When ] was ordered 10 remain in
Alglers with my regiment coming from
Marseilles, | came with most delightful
anticipations. was young lieutenant
then, and my success with the fair lex in
various garrison towns where | had been
gave me most brilliant ideas in regard to
thc adventures that would befall me in
Algiers. Hours, with eyes like stars, en-.
veloped IN cashmere, covered with
diamonds, living in palaces with fountains
Of rOse-water, and bowers Of orange
flowers, rose before me. Indeed, the
officers talked 80 much and SO eagerly
about the charms Of the Eastern women,
their passion and their devotion, that felt
ready TO risk my life to obtain a sight of
one of the lovely creatures who haunted
my dreams.
Now this was to be the romance of my
life. The reality was already all arranged
and settled in Europe-and to tell the
truth, though my Imagination was in
AlgIers, my heart was in France with the
girl TO whom had been betrothed since
my iniaI oy. Like all Frenchmen, | knew
that could marry only the yCu ing lady
who would be thought by my parents 20
be suited 10 me in station aud fortune |
knew that only such wife could suit me,
and had not the slightest idea that NV
Eeastern romance would interfere with
any st my engagements, not even with my
love.
For loved my Le'rothed, though had
not seen her since Fae was a child. The
daughter ofan old friend Of my fatherls,
che had been brought up by her mother
IA strIctest soclusion, and in my wandering,
soldiers life, had not seen her for SIX
years. But this was my last years pro-
baton at the close OF the autumn [
was TO return to Marselles Cecile was
To come with her mother beneath
my fathers roof, and we were to be mar
ried.
The passion | intended to feel for one of
the ORIENTAL hours had nothing to DO with
the holy love for my future wile--lor the
future mother Of my children. She was
encased in the hottest temple of my heart
the very altar fire Of my lite the
Oriental episodes were but as the lightning
flashes Of summer storm, brief, brilliant.
and eyanescent
1t SO happened that at one Of the cafes
| made the acquaintance OF an intelligent
rich old jew merchant, who, from tho first,
appeared TO take extraordinary interest in
me. lie amused me with details of
Oriental life and manners told me tho
legends OF the country and in fact, seemed
TO be living page from the. !" Arabian
Nights"
In return, told him all the oircum.
stances OF my life, all my military adyen
lures, and even, IN moment OF extraor.
binary confidence, went 50 far as 10 tell
him all about Cocilo and our future mar
rlage. This was done rather to give him an
idea OF our European customs than with
any idea ct conhding in him. scarcely
felt the indelicaoy OF talking about Cecile.
because lac was SO utterly stranger 10
her.
had been some weeks in Algiers watch.
ing anxiously for an adventure, when one
day note was put into my hand. Ii was
highly perfumed, and tied, instead of being
sealed, with a gold thread. Il was written
in most elegant hand, and was in the
purest French, and it babe me repair al
nine o'clock to one Of the mosquts, where
a mos important revelation would be made
to me. Here wa an adventure at last.
In the excitement Of the moment rushed
20 The jew.
"what am to doY What does this
meant"
at means that you are handsome dog