Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1881-07-13

the same. But / so richly merited his
severe language that did not reply.
Well, said he, finally, what do You
propose to do?'
" There is but one course open to me,
general, replied. 4 have grievously
offended this young man. have, there
fore, placed myself at his disposition.
We must fight
" a duell You are mad A major
cannot go upon the field with a private
soldier.
General, You must allow me to say
that there are certain insults so grave
that military usage must yield to them.
Grant me permission to do this
(" But i cannot-I have no right to do
So
:" Then telegraph the Minister of
War
- He will refuse.
Well, if that be the case, / shall
notify George de Ferisset, and We will
fight in Belgium
Then you desert?'
Yes, general, will desert and then
return for my punishment. have once
dishonored myself in publicly insulting
a woman; shall not again do so in re-
fusing satisfaction to her SON.
The generals perplexity and anger
began to pass away; he seemed moved.
He strobe up and down the room for
some moments, and finally, turning TO
me, said:-
- BE it so. Do as You will. Bear in
mind though. that / know nothing of
this affair-this conversation has not
taken place
Il thanked him, and repaired to my
quarters. That evening, De Ferisset's
seconds arrived They were civilians,
as WAS also the two friends VIII
named to arrange matters with them.
The weapon chosen was the sword; the
hour, six O'Clock the following morning;
the place, little village just within the
Belgian frontier. l put my affairs in
order that night, for 1 had determined
to offer but slight defense to my oppo-
nent.
''At the appointed hour the next day
We were alone. 1t was a raw, drizzly
morning, and the mud was ankle deep.
De Ferisset appeared In uniform. One
of my seconds remarked that he, like the
rest of us, should have come as a civil
ian. He replied that he had been insult
ed as a man and soldier, and that
reparation was due to him as such.
made a sign to my second and he did not
insist
I'VE took our places. 1t was a curious
spectacle private soldier in his uni
form facing his superior officer IN multi.
The swords were crossed. The word
was given. l watched his face with a
feverish curiosity. In his eyes there
was the same glare of the day before the
same indecision Suddenly a strange smile
appeared upon his hps-the smile of a
broked heart-a smile 1 shall never for
get though / live hundred years.
Quick as a flash he abandoned his guard,
and grasping my sword with his left hand
he hurled himself upon it. 1t ran him
through the body. Uttering hoarse
cry he fell backward; a bloody foam
tinged his pale lips. A conclusive
shndder ran over his body-another-
then a groan He was dead"
l listened with horror to his story.
He noticed my looks, but went doggedly
on
'sOf course l had not killed him-I
had even resolved not to defend myself;
and quilted the army. But still / feel
like murderer; I feel as though l had
committed a crime. When l think OF
that poor boy-loyal to his mother, bad
though she was-slain in the first flush
of youth. | feellike an assassin And
think of that wretched mother. How she
must mourn her brave boys fall
1t was growing late; the people were
pouring out of the cafes-concerts. Now
and then passer by would hum over
the latest comic song. Strange contrast.
The follies of the song mingled with the
words of the sombre drama Just unrolled
before me. Gustave walked on by my
side, with bent head, crushed by the
weight of his tragic story.
And still the Champs-Elysees swarmed
with people. Around us was the intense
life of a summer night in frivolous Paris.
On the avenue were innumerable car
riages, and all around gayly dressed
loungers on the lion chairs.
As NV eve roamed carelessly over
them, saw one group. the center OF
which was a woman of forty-tive, but
still very beautiful Ses was dressed
richly and tastefully, and bore in her
hand boquet which a smirking dandy
had lust presented to her. / could not
repress an exclamation. Gustave fol-
lowsd my eyes. >,
.'Whatl" he cried, sit cannot be she. y
Eyes" answered him, at is Madame
de Ferisset."