Litchfield enquirer., 1875-08-12
WHOLE NO. 2566.

Behold, Monsieur, all these dusty specimens, these revolting fragments. How have you blushed to know that our idle people laugh in their sleeves at these things! How have you blushed-and you his fatheri But why did you not ask me2 could have told you: Sir, your son IS not an apothecary; not one of these ugly things but has helped him on in the glo- rious path of discovery; discovery, Gen eral-your sOn-known in Europe as q scientific discovererp Ah-h! the blind people say, how IS that, that General Vil- hvicencio should be dissatisfied with his son? He is good man, and good doe tor, only little careless, that's al.' But you were more blind still, for you shut your eyes tight like this; when, had you searched for his virtues as you did for his faults, you, too, might have known before it was too late what nobility, what beauty, what strength were in the character of your poor, poor son?
 "Just Heaven Madame, you shall not speak of my son as of one dead and bur- jed But. if you have some bad news.
 'Your son took your quarrel on his hands, eh ?"
 '1 believe sol think -"
 "Wen I saw him an hour ago in search of your slanderer ]"
 ''He must find him P said the General, plucking up.
 '.But if the search is already oyer," slowly responded Madame.
 The father looked one instant in her face, then rose with an exclamation
 ''Where is my son? What has happened? Do you think am 9 child, to be trified with-a horse to be teased? Tell me of my son P
 Madame was stricken with genuine an- guish.
 'Take your chair" she begged; "wait listen take your chair"
 "Never !" cried the General; '1 am going to find my sonny GodI Madame. you have L0cEed this door! What are you that you should treat me SO? Give me, this instant -"
 "Oh Monsieur, beseech you to take your chair and I will tell you all. You can do nothing now. Listen suppose you should rush out and find that your son had played the coward at last Sit down and -"
 'Ah Madame, this is playI" cried the distracted man.
 "But no it is not play. Sit down; I want to ask you something"
 He sank down and she stood over him, anguish and triumph strangely mingled in her beautiful face. | UGH not you force this quarrel into your sons hand l knOlU he would not choose to have it. Did you not do it to test his courage, be- cause all these fifteen years you have made yourself fool with the fear that he became student only to escape being a soldier? Did you not?
 Her eyes looked him through and through.
 ''And if did ?" demanded he with faint defiance.
 ''Yes and if he has made dreadful haste and proved his courage ?" asked she.
 ''Well, then, ,"-the General straighten- ed up triumphantly-''th -''then he Is my sonr'
 He beat the desk.
 ''And heir to your wealth. for example2''
 Certainly"
 The lady bowed in solemn mockery.
 'It will make him a magnificent fu- neral p
 The father bounded up and stood speechless, trembling from head to foot Madame looked straight in his eye.
 ''Your son has met the writer of that article"
 "Where ?' the old mans lips tried to ask.
 Suddenly, unexpectedly, in passage way"
 "My God and the villain -"
 Olives !" cried Madame
 He rushed to the door, forgetting that it was locked.
 ''Give me that key !" he cried, wrench ed at the knob. turned away bewildered, turned again toward 1t, and again away ; and at every step and turn he cried, "Oh! my son, my son! I have killed my son ! Oh Messy, my son, my little boy! Oh! my son, my son !'
 Madame buried her face in her hands and sobbed aloud. Then the father hush ed his cries and stood for a moment be- fore her.
 "Give me the key, Clarrisse, let me go."
 She rose and laid her face on his shOul- der
 'What is it, CIarrisse ?" asked he. | "Your son and l were ten years be- trothed."
 "Oh, my childp'
 Because, being disinherited, he would not be my husband"
 "Alas would to God had known it Oh Messy, my son."
 "Oh Monsieur" cried the lady, clasp ing her hands, forgive me-mOurn no mOre-your son Is unharmed wrote the article-I am your recaDtiBg slander- CT! Your son is hunting for me now. I told my aunt to misdirect him. I slipped by him unseen in the carriage-way." The wild old General. having already staggered back and rushed forward again, would have seized her ill his arms. hal not the little Doctor himself at that in- stant violently rattIed the door and shook his finger at them playfully as he peered | through the glass. "BehOld said Madame, attempting a smile ''open to your son here IS ine key"
 She sank into a chair. Father and son leaped into each others arms then turned to Madame "Ah thou lovely mischief-maker." She had tainted away. "Ah well, keep out of the way, if you please, papa, said Dr. Messy, as Madame presently re-opened her eyes ''no wonder you tainted you have finished some hard work.see here; so Clarrisse, dear, take this"
 Father and son stood side by side, ten derlv regarding her as she revived. Nov, papa. you may kiss her; she Is quite herself again, already" My daughter P said the stately Gener- al th1s IS my sons ransom and, with this, withdraw the VIllivicencio ticket" You shall not, 1" exclaimed the laugh Ing lady, throwing her arms about his neck.
 ''But yes P he insisted "my faith you will at least allow me to remove my dead from the field"
 But, certainly" said the son $500 Clarrisse, here IS Madame your aunt, ask ing US all into the house. Let us go."
 The group passed ont into the rue Roy ale, Doctor Mossy shutting the door be- hind them. The sky was. bIne,- the air was soft and balmy, and on the sweet south breeze, to which the old General barred his grateful brow, AOated ravish- ing odor of
 "Ah what is it ?'' the veteran asked of the younger pair, seeing the little aunt glance at them with playful smile Madame Delicieuse. for almost the first time in her life, and Doctor Messy for the thOusaDdth-blushed