Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-01
NO. JOY.
Gales ano skettbts.
THE SCARED CHEEK.

towards the middle of the day that Jean
sat at his desk, engaged in composing
lesson for his favorite instrument. He was
tall, gracefully formed man, somewhere
about thirty years of age, with face full
of sparkling intelligence and natural good
ness, and he would have been remarkably
handsome had it not been for "A large,
ghtful-looking scar upon his right cheek.
say ghttul-iooking one not because
it looked so now. but because it must have
been frightiul occasion that gave it.
Yet Jean Laval was a good-looking man.
He had been in Paris, but year, and dur
ing that time he had made quite num-
ber of friends. but how those friends,
came to him was mystery he could not
solve. He had not sought them nor had
he used any great endeavors to keep them
for his scanty purse could not warrant
very extended circle of companions.
Jean had just closed his portfolio, when
the door of his room was thrown open,
and young and gaily y-dressed man ell
tered.
"Ah, Monsieur Laval" said the new
conner. carelessly taking seat. I'm
glad I've caught you in. We are to have.
IA glorious time tonight, and you must join
us
II don't know about that. de POM
moy,' returned Laval, thoughtfully.
But why not?' asked Hugh de Pom
moy, who was one of the most gallant
young men of the gay Partisan circles
I'VE can't get along without YOU. just
take Your guitar along, and we'll give
some OF our fair friends serenade. Come
don't say no."
II believe must
"Pshaw! Why, what's the matter with
you. Laval ?"
Nothing. only these gay scenes don't
suit me. am not used to them
"No, ! suppose not, " smilingly returned
de Pommoy. ''Iou are more use to the
rattle of arms and the smell of powder.
BY -the-way, now that we are alone, why
cant you give me Il sketch ofy your history?
You've kept us in the dark on the subject.
My history could be of no interest to
you
80, yes. it might be. Yours must have
been an eventful life
1T has been somewhat eventful, must
own
$50 thought, said de Pommoy land
now If you have any reason for wishing it
kept Il secret | assure YOU | will not be-
tray it. Come let's have it, for I've long
been on nettes to know all about you''
Well" returned Laval, half relunctant
ly, ''if you think an outline of my lite
would interest You any, I'm sure I've no
objections to giving it, though you may
use your own Judgment about giving it to
Others
$50 on" said de Pommoy.
IL was born in this city" commenced
Jean Laval. My father was poor scav-
engcr.
"A scavenger echoed de Pommoy.
However, the father of the King of
Naples was only an innkeeper.
''When | was only six years of age |
was left an orphan" he continued. ''and
in order to support myself tried to work
for boot-black. and when | was eight
years old obtained a box, blacking and
brushes, and went through the streets l
got sous for every boot | blacked, and
sometimes gentleman would give me
more. In one year | made out to save
enough to buy me Il tin case, and to fill it
with pins, needles, tapes, ribbons, etc.
and with this determined to pnsh out and
see the country. In six months had trav-
elled through more than dozen different
departments and had got back as far rs
Alencon. where | came across the first
real incident of my life. | was then only
nine and a half years old, though was
remarkably stout for my age. 1t was
near dusk, and | was trudging along by
the banks of the Sarte, when was start
tied by Il loud racket behind me, and on
turning | saw a horse coming towards me
at II lcaping, plunging gallop. on the back
of which was a young lady who was
shrieking loudly for help The whole
course of my life had tended to make me
bold and reckless. and dropping my tin
case, | sprang forward just in time to
seize the horse by the bride. and he at
once settled back upon his launches. 1t
was fortunate | caught the bride as did,
for in a moment the animal would have
plunged into the river. The lady quickly
slipped from her saddle and nstinctively
turned towards me. She was IA beautiful
creature, not over seventeen er eighteen
wears of age, but her face was pale, and
she would have sunk to the ground had
not gentleman at that moment dashed
up to the spot, leaped from his horse, and
caught her in his arms. | still held the
beast had caught by the bride, but the
noise of the other startled him, and with
furious plunge he dashed from me. The
sudden jerk upon the rens threw ME for
ware, anu ltl>t dS tIt Hotet tltditu IIt,
he let fly his heels. and one of his sharp
shoes struck me here.
Laval laid his finger npon his SCARED
cheek As he spoke.
II never saw the young lady again. nor
did | come to my senses till over week
had passed away; but the circumstance
proved fortunate one for me. for it threw
me into the house of an honest miller
with whom lived till was twenty -one,
and while there learned to play the gui-
tar, and so proficient did become that"
Hold" exclaimed de Pommoy who
was fast turning white with strong emo
ton. 'Do YOU mean to say that you got
that wound ON the cheek by kick from
horse ?''
Just as have told YOU"
"And were you never an officer in the
army?'
Never
"And never in the ariny?'
Never
Don't trife with me, Monsieur Laval.
| will not reveal your whereabouts, If YOU
j.