River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-07-12

Count Victor stretched himself in defaulf
Of any chair
He smiled at the idea of being shut W
in a pigeon house. Ii he could free hi:
bands he thought, and get hold of q
guitar, what a pretty little ballad he
might make ont of such situation A:
he was thinking over his ballad and wish
ing for the guitar, he heard the sound OF
violin and bagpipes. These lively in
struments were playing a gay march
Count Victor started up from where he
lay, and, by showing the straw up TO the
wall. managed, IN spite of his bound
hands, TO climb up TO one of the openings
and to look below him. He looked down
on a merry fete. There was a long pro-
cession of young men and fair women, all
IN white, preceded by the music of the
village. The procession moved but slow
! ly, though the air played was gay. As ii
passed under the pigeon-house Tor, if you
viii, the dOnjOn keep of the fortress) a
young girl looked up anxiOusly. She was
fair, she was elegant, she looked sad and
pale. Count Victor saw at once she knew
1t contained a prisoner; and, as they
passed on, he whistled the air of King
Richard in his captivity:
Dams u1e tour obscure.
For be was young man skilled in ballads
as well as arms, as good at guitar as at
sword thrust, fearless rider, gay dan
/ Ger; in short, brave young nObleman of
\ the old school, specimens of whom we
may still see among the French octoge-
narians; but the race is no longer raised
under the changed social conditions of
/ the present day.
! The wedding party passed out OF his
sight. 1t was not exactly marriage pro-
cessiOn, however 1t was only betrothal.
Count Victor brske off his melody. He
heard noise at the door Of his apart
ment. 4 man entered his prison.
IL was the master of the mansion
marquis under the late Capet, now only
Captain Hamelin. He was a Blue, but
for all that an honest, kindly gentleman.
As early as the meeting of the states gen
eral, he had been fired with enthusiasm
for the republic To her his heart, his
hopes, his sword and his house were given;
but he could not become mean or cruel
at her bidding. That very morning he
had been informed that n party of chou
ans had passed the night at one of his
farms. He set out at once at the head of
a detachment, putting off the ceremony of
his betrOthal till the afternoon. We have
seen how he captured Count Victor. That
duty accomplished and his prisoner Sc
cured, he came back with all speed to
his postponed betTothal
Capt. Hamelin was not so utterly given
over TO republicanism as TO have forgot
ten the obligations of hospitality accord
L.. T..
thought it his duty to pay visit to his
prisoner, choosing the time his wedding
guests were assembling for supper.
what can | do to serve you, mOnsieurl"
he said politely to Count Victor.
Lord of this CASTLE" said the captain,
with bow, please TO give me the use of
one of my hands"
Both hands shall be set at liberty,
monsieur" replied Hamelin, provided
YOU promise to make no attempt to get
away. Only, before you promise, it is
proper you should know that you will be
sent off under a guard to Nantes at 6
o'clock tomorrow morning"
And at shall be shot, said Baude-
lot
The republican officer made no reply.
"Well, monsieur" said Baudelot, "un-
less am rescued by any of our men,
promise, on my word of honor as a chris
tian and a gentleman, that | will stay
here quiet a. pigeon with Its wings cut
if you release my hands"
Capt. Hamclin could not help smiling
at the appropriate smile. He united his
prisoner.
And now" said Baudclot, stretching
his arms out as he spoke, NOW, monsieur
/ am sincerely indebted to you for your
kindness, and it will not be my fault if
my gratitude does not extend beyond to-
morrow morning
If YOU have any last business to trans
act. will to make. or letters to write,
will send you writing materials" said
Hamelin, with emotion. lie was Breu-
ton born, republican or no republican.
BaudelOt perceived he felt for him, and
took his hand. "NO matter" said he.
Your mention of my will has panied me
more than your intimation that | must
die at Nantes tomorrow morning. 1t
makes me realize that those / loved are
dead. | have no one left on earth to
whom care to leave my name or sword,
and / own nothing more. Ii must be
rather funny, though, to write a will; TO
be generous to some at the expense of
others: to picture to yourself who will
smile and who will mourn when that
document is opened after your death.
Don't you think SO, captain {
Il will send you something 10 eat"
said Hamelin. 1T is the day of my be-
trothal, and we have better cheer than
usual Nv bride shall send your sup
pei"
Count Victor perceived on the ledge of
one of the high Sits which did duty as
windows in his dim apartment a daisy
growing from a seed dropped by pig
con. He leaped up and plucked it.
Captain, he said, giving 1t to Hame-
lin, Z" il is the custom in our part of the
country for every guest TO make we'd
ding present 10 the bride BE so good as
To present to your betrothed from me this
little flower And now must no longer
keep you from her side. Thank you for
your humanity. Farewell God bless
you. Send me some supper, for ] am
weary and hungry. Good night
Food was soon brought 10 the young
officer. The maid who came to wait on
him "a pretty Breton peasant girl with
white teeth. red lips, and great compass
sion in her eyes, paid every attention to
, the captive. She urged him TO eat of the
best dishes and TO drink of the choice
wines The supper was luxurious. 1t
seemed as if old times had come back 10
the dovecote, when a poor Gagged bird was
fed from the crumbs of the masters table.
As size was pouring out glass of cham
payne for him, the count asked her her
nSine.
Marie, said the girl.
- The same name as my cousin" said
the Young man. And how old are you,
Mariel
Seventeen she replied.
1.-The same age. he said, as my poor
cousin And as he spoke he felt his
whole heart stirred at the remembrance
of that beautiful young girl, who had