Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-27

her fair, young face, beaming with Joy.
came running 10 embrace him; and there
was a boy baby TO tumble down among
the orange trees on broad steps, in making
| for his fathers leg.
A multitude OF children visitors were
dancing TO sprightly music; and all the
servants and peasants about the chateau
were dancing, too. It was scene OF in
nocent happiness that might have been III
vented for the climax Of the scenes oil
peace which had sooihed the captain
journey.
He looked on, greatly troubled in mis-
mind. until a resounding bell rang. ana
the French officer begged to show hlm MS
rooms. They went up stairs into The gal-
lery from which the officer had looked
down, and Monsieur lie Captaine Richard
Doubledick was cordially welcomed to
grand cut chamber, and smaller one
within, all clocks, and draperies, and
hearths, and brazen dogs, and tiles. and
cool devices and elegance, and vastness.
you were at Waterloo" said the
French officer.
81 was" said Captain Richard Double
dick, "aud ut Badajos."
Let alone with the sound OF his stern
voice In his ears, he sat down to consider.
What shall do. and how shall tell him
At that time. unhappily, many deplora-
BILE duels had been fought between Eng
lish and French officers, arising out OF the
recent war; and these duels, and how to
avoid this officers hospitality, were the
uppermost thoughts in Captain Richard
Doubledck's mind.
He was thinking, and letting the time
run out in which he should have dressed
for dinner. when Mrs. Taunton spoke to
him outside the door, asking him II he
could give her the letter he had brought
from Mary. His mother, above ALL"
The captain thought. How could tell
her ?"
You will form q friendship with your
host, hope" said Mrs. Taunton. whom
he hurredly admitted, "ihat will last for
life. He is so true hearted and generous,
Richard. that you can hardly fail to es.
TEEN one another. Ii he had been spared"
she kissed (not without tears) the locket
In which she wore his hair, "he would
have appreciated him with his own mag
nanimity, and would have been truly hap
py that the evil days were past which
made such man his enemy"
She left the room; and the captain
walked. first to one window, whence he
could see The dancing In the garden,
thence to another window. whence he
could see the smiling prospect and the
peaceful vineyards.
esprit of my departed friend, said he.
Isis 1t through thee these better thoughts
are rising in my mind Is it thou who
hast shown me, all the way ! have been
drawn to meet this man, the blessings OF
the altered timep Is it thou who has sent
thy stricken mother 10 me, 10 stay my an
cry handp Is it from thee that the whis-
per comes that this man did his duty as
thou ddst-as l did, through thy guild
ance, which has wholly saved me here on
earth-and that he did no morep"
He sat down, with his head buried in
his hands, and. when he rose up, made
the second strong resolution Of his life
that neither TO the French officer. norlo
the mother of his departed friend, nor to
any soul, while either of the two were
living, would he breathe what only be
knew. And when he touched that French
officers glass with his own, that day at
dinner, he secretly iorgave him In the
name OF the Divine Forgiven ofinjuries.