The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1880-08-21
A POINT OF HONOR.

II was dining at table d'hote in tn
only country of Europe where decen
dinner is still to be got at such places
when my attention was attracted by
tall. reserved man, in the uniform of
cavalry officer, who sat at the head of
side-table. Beside me was a Queen
messenger, Captain Bolton, who O
course knew everything and everybody
from the gossip Of the Legations whicl
he visited in a professional capacity; s,
l asked him who the grave lookins
soldier might be. His reply was
STARTER.
THAT is Field Marshal Eisenberc,'
answered the Queens messenger, coolly
naming one of the first soldiers of ou
age. He always dimes here, and ha.
done so ever since l have been in thu
line" 5 -
''Odd place to pick up Field Mar
shal, at dinner in public house, ISM
it. at least in these piping times Of
peace?'' ee
: Har' exclaimed Captain Bolton,
who, like several of the distinguished
corps to which be belongs, is an agreea-
bic rattle. Ha, thereby hangs tale
don't you know itp" = ~
IL had just returned-for /, too, am
in the line'--from Barataria, whittier /
had been sent by grateful country for
not belonging to one of the governing
families then in power, SO I replied.
somewhat to Bottoms astonisbment.
that :" l did not know it,
We'll, them" remarked the Captain,
gaily, IL will tell it you when L have
done with this pheasant and melon
salad, which is too good to spoil for an
anecdote."
He eat for some time in silence and
with such an evident sense of eniov-
ment that l did not venture to question
him further, though I noticed a certain
preoccupied air about him, as though
ne were trying to recall some half-for-
gotten incident, or were, perhaps, try
ing to put 1t into language which would
do more credit to his reputation as an
expert narrator. By-and-by, when the
coffee came, he lit cigar, which had
been sent him by little Jinks, our Vice
Consul at the Havana. and ms the first
wreaths of perfumcd smoke curled
round about him, he thus delivered
- The Marshal used to have
son. :" .Hl1i.e5
As he spoke the gaunt, upright figure
d the famous military commander
strobe by. He turned his haggard face
'oward us as he did so, but there was
10 speculation in his eyes and the life
hat was in him seemed to serve only
o carry heart that was dead. Though |
very one at the hotel made way for
lin with a sort of awe-stricken respect.
le saluted nobody, but passed out into |
he street like some mournful spectre. |
lot terrible, but unutterably sad. Then
We heard the clank of his harness in the
nte-room and once his sword smote
gainst his spurs As he girded it on.
hen be was gone. His appearance
ad served but 20 emphasize Captain
'olton's statement, that :. he used to
ave a son." aq
The Queens messenger, who had
cen interrupted by the solemn appari-
ON above mentioned, threw back his
cad. perhaps to get better view of
is subject, took a long pull at his cigar.
nished his coffee. began his LIQUOR and
len went on with his story. II
"Yes, as l was saying, Field Marshal
cunt Eisenberg had son, who was
ne OF the finest young men in the
my. He was in light cavalry regi-
ent and all the girls went mad about
m You never saw fellow better
Tilt, or with more downright pluck
I'd go in him. Hang it, sir, he deserved
be an Englishman, and used to tell
m so when passed through here and
uld get a days shooting with him at | 8
grand place his governor {
ID them 1t is sold now. Never was {
more CHEEKY or better companion than
idy Eisenberg. He could ride as well
Lord Cork and shoot snap shots with
y one you like to name. 1t wasn't q
glitter either about him. He had a
en- out in a big war and done all sorts
fine things. His nerves were said to I.
wonderfully steady under fire and he
| ridden well to the front in one of O
boldest hand-to-hand fights on rec s,
|. OF course, he did not rise in rank n
y quickly, for the Marshal would O.
hear of his being promoted out of b
turn, and there was nothing of the Il
ktail about him, so he did not put
self in the way of special service to t.
k his regimental duties; but every
y looked upon him, with good reason, pi
J man who was booked for every
e of life that does not 60 by favor. to