The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-07-21
A TERRIBLE DUEL.

A TERRIBLE DUEL.
One August evening I was taking n
stroll along the Champs-E -Elysees, Paris.
1t was little after nine, and around me
was the usual gay crowd of summer
night. Promenaders by tho hundred;
merry people seated at the little tables
in front Of the cafes, talking, drinking,
and chatting TO the right, a cafe-con-
cert, its front covered with colored Ian
terms. Before mo the long Avenue des
Champs-Elysees extended, its hundreds
of lights glimmering like glow-worms in
the dark. Suddenly saw familiar
face by the light of q street lamp. It
was Gustave Raisant.
"Hello, Major!" said I; extending my
hand, "well metz
''Ah, is it you?" said, he languidly.
81 am glad to see you"
His tone struck me- I looked at him
attentively. He seemed to have aged
much since had seen him before
Already there were gray hairs showing
around his temples. Linking my arm
with his, said:-
''Come, let's take stroll"
"Willingly."
After we had walked some little dis
tance gave up attempting to make him
converse. He seemed entirely destitute
of interest in any topic that I might
bring up, and plunged into melancholy.
"Come, come, Gustave," said I, ''you
have something on your mind, haven't
you?'
He hesitated a moment, but finally
replied
"Yes."
"a love affair, I'll be sworn"
He was silent, and repeated my some
what brusque remark. There arc some
wounds that will not bear probing.
Suddenly he spoke:-
"Listen," said he, "and L shall tell
you the cause of my melancholy. Per-
haps am wrong to chafe under it as L
do; perhaps you may give me some
good advice. In any event I shall tell
you my story. Since I last saw you
there has been n tragical event in my
life. Oh, you have heard nothing of it.
Thanks to the people ut headquarters,
the papers were silenced, and I won't
bore you-my story isn't long; and,!" he
But it iS old-the old story of the parents
sins being expiated by the children. !"
He knocked the ash from his cigar, and
~~o
"Last Juno, as you may know, the
reserve forces were ordered out for their
yearly service. We had some of them
ut Maubenge, where I had been stationed
with the Fifty sixth for month. One
morning was about to start for Lille,
on regimental business, in company with
brother officer of my regiment. We
stepped into large eating house to take
chop before the train left. 1t was q
very largo establishment, with marble
tables around the room, and ut one end
was long bar, where those",with light
purses were allowed to take refresnments
our table was near the bar, and at the
time we seated ourselves there was n
long line of private soldiers and laborers
drinking there. We talked of various
matters, md finally my companion said:-
Have you the son of my celebrity
among your recruits?'
Yes, said I, young Myrian, son of
the well-known printer, is in my COM
mand. And you?'
tWell, have the son of q celebrity.
too, but of q different kind. 1t is young
George do Ferrissot.
WHAT not the son of Madame de
Ferrisset?'
""Ehe same.
'I laughed heartily as I said:-
We'll, well! So De Ferrisset has q
grown up son, has sho? How the time
flies! I was dreadfully in love with the
woman once, but another fellow won her
not undivided favors'
And I, too" replied my companion,
Il was little spooney on her; but then,
you know, I always had scruples about
married women
oh, You were wrong T replied.
She was we'll worth tho trouble. And
then poor De Ferrissct The type of I'm
unsuspecting husband She had twenty
lovers to my knowledge, and he never
knew it.
81 had scarcely finished speaking
when q STRIPPING soldier quilted his
comrades and advanced toward mo. His
face was as white rs O sheet. His emo.
ton was 80 greet that he trcmbled as he
walked, with his saber Gathering ut his
heels. When he reached our table he
glarcd ut mo for q moment with wild yet
lndecisive eyes, md raised his hand to
strike mo. There was q hurried move.
ment, an outcry, and several of the sol
diers around leaped upon him, and hold
his hand. He struggled for a moment,
then was calm. Still gazing ut mo, he
y said, in choking voice: She is my
mother
''In moment realized the hidcouf
insult I had offered him. r tingled with
shame. What could have possessed me
that morning do not know. No Officer
or gentlemon would ever speak i'll of 6
woman--least of all in public.
"Iet him go!' cried to tho soldiers
I rose, removed my cap, and bowling
said:--
Sir, I place myself at your disposi
tion.'
cat this moment the whistle of the
approaching train was heard My friend
grasped my arm and dragged me to the