The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-14
well, what is it about2" said Prethi-

well, what is it about?" said Prethi-
baut.
Yaugiron paused q little while. Well,
said he, reluctantly, tits about my wife.
What said Prethibaut. already
aCome," said Vaugiron, impahenty,
don't be getting any ldiotic ideas into your
head. have nothing to reproach her
with"
@But you have something on your mind"
Yes, have. am Jealous"
aOf Maurice Roisgibert.
How do you know
Il know, because I have seen"
aSeen!" shouted Vaugiron, bounding from
his seat. Seen! seen! What have you
seen?"
"Come, now" said Prethibaut, don't be
getting any idioic ideas into your head.
have seen nothing alarming. I have seen,
however, that that young puppy Boisg1bert,
is altogether too attentive to your wife.
well, that's what want to talk about.
Tho fellow has presumed to address some
verses to her."
what are they about?"
aWhat are they about? Oh, what all
poets write about-moon on the waves,
stars, and flowers, gentle zephyrs, angels.
gondolas, sympathetic souls, and all sorts
Of idiotic things"
Naturally said Prethibaut, Il might
have known it. But how did you come to
see this letter."
why, Hortense brought it to me her
self, of course"
.She did. eh? Well, yaugiron. Il con-
graduate you on your wife. Now listen : to
me. Will you follow my advice?"
| ssBlindly."
whatever may say or do, you will not
contradict or oppose me?'
II promise"
.Nery we'll, then. Young Boisgibert will
not favor us with his company during the
shooting season. Here is what you must
do; tonight, at dinner, when you see me
take pinch of snuff, strike the table with
your fist, and say, in cavernous voice; l
would do the same. ;"
sHum," said Vaugiron, ''a cavernous
voice, pinch of snuff, and blow on the
table, Why-what-h
"Never mind said,' said Prethibaut. edo
as l. tell you, old boy and you're all night.
4 That evening there was gathered around
! Vaugiron's festive board eight gentlemen.
Six vacant chairs showed that the ladies had
left them. Unnumbered empty bottles
showed that they were good hunters and
|
cape to Join the ladies. Several times had
Z. Boisgibert made move, but Prethibaut
would invariably ask, with much kindness,
s'Are you not we'll this evening, sir?', SO he
was forced to remain.
! Of all the merry crowd, Prethibaut alone
seemed preoccupied. There was a gloomy
expression upon his face, and it finally at
tracted attention.
':What's the matter with you tonight
.Prethibaut?" asked one of the guests, you
look as if you were at a funeral.
"Pardon me, gentlemen" replied the
gloomy one, "there are certain anniversa-
RES in mans life-but no; the storyis no
pleasant one"
Never mind what's the odds? Go or
, and tell it anyway" was the cry. -
:, VERY well, gentleman, " said Prethibaut
placing his snuff box on the table before
). him, and gazing on it with deep melancholy
: II will tell you the story. Thirty five year
ago TO- day I was the chief actor in a do
nestle tragedy"
"You!" interrupted Vaugiron, 'you in
domestic trageey?" ..,ts.t...
For reply Prethibaut favored his frient
with violent kick under the table, an
D., vent on; q. s2
r. cat that time was but twenty five; m
, life was peaceful and happy. hac wifi
whom adored, a daughter whom I idol
= lied"
; "What, you'll" bawled Vaguiron.
Eyes" went on Prethibaut, giving hir
another kick. my estate was in Ardenne
o and was passionate hunter. Adjeinin
+ my property was that of man littl
- younger than I. He was about the sam
age as Maurice Boisgibert here, and, by th
- way, he much resembled him. Well, "
often met; we became friends. He cam
y to my house, and-excuse me, gentlemen
. but my old blood boils when I think Of
: he wrote some verses to my wife.
\ Il challenged him, but, according to th
- laws of that country we could not fight, an
- at the next nunt it was arranged that in
4 stead of shooting at the game we woul
- shoot at each other. We did SO and /
- never came back alive. e
% Prethibaut here took a pinch of snuff an
hit the table with the box. Vaugiron, in
n caye.nous voice, II would do the h. same :
% The next morning Vaugiron received
ls polite note from Boisgebert saying he hs
"a been suddenly called away and would
hsppy to see him at some future time, al
Is not till then did Prethibault tell him tn
" " the story was made up for his benefit.
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