The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-18

I ell, WllaC Is IL aDOuC! Salu f.feLL
ibaut.
Vaugiron paused while. "Well.
said he, reluctantly, ''it's about m
wife,
"Whatr' said Prethibaut. 'alreadyp
Come said Vaugiron, impatient
ly. 'don't be getting any idiotic idea
into your head. l have nothing to re
proach her with"
But you have something on you
mind"
''Yes, l have. am jealous!"
''Of Maurice Boisgibert.''
''IiOw do you know?'
81 know, because have seen-
''Seen!' shouted Vaugiron, bounding
from his seat. ''Seen! seen! Wha
have you seenP"
| ''Come, now," said Pretliibaut
''don't be getting any foolish ideas in
to your head. l have seen nothing
alarming. L have seen, however. tina
that young puppy, Boisgibert, is alto
gether too attentive to your WIFE"
''Well, that's what wanted to speak
about. The fellow has presumed Il
address some verses to her."
"What are they about?"
''What are they aboutP Oh, what al
stars, and flowers, gentle zephyrs, an
gels, gondolas, sympathetic souls, and
all sorts of idiotic things.''
Naturally" said Prethibaut, 81
might have known it. But how did
you come to see this letterP''
''Why, Hortense brought it to me
herself, of course
'She did, ehP Well, Vaugiron, con-
gratulate you on your wife. Now, list
en- to me. Will you follow my adj
vice?"
"Blindly."
"Whatever I may say or do you will
not contradict or oppose me?"
81 promise"
Every well, then. Young Boisgibert
will not favor us with his company du-
ring the shooting season. Here is what
you must do: tonight. at dinner. when
you see me take q pinch of snuff. strike
the table with your fist, and say, in a
cavcrnous voice: 1 would do the
same.'''
''Hum," said Vaugiron, ''a cavern
Gus voice. pinch of snuff, and blow
on the table. Why-what-how-
'.Never mind" said Prethibaut, do
as 1 tell you, old boy, and you're all
right"
That evening there were gathered
around Vaugiron's festive board eight
gentlemen. Six vacant chairs showed
that the ladies hal left them. I'm
numbered empty bottles showed that
they were good hunters ard true. Bat
one man had attempted to escape to
join the ladies. Several times had
BOisgibert made a move. but Pretliibaut
would invariably ask, with much kind
ness, ''Are you not well this evening,
sirP'' he was forced to remain.
OF all the merry crowd, Prethibaut
alone seemed prcoccupied. There was
a gloomy expression upon his face, and
it finally attracted attention.
"What's the matter with you tonight,
Prethibaut?' asked one of the guests,
''you look as if you were at n funeral"
pardon me. gentlemen" replied the
gloomy one. ''there are certain anni-
in mans life-but no; the
story is not a pleasant one"
"Never mind-what's the odls? Go
on and tell it anyway" was the cry.
"Very well, rentlemen," sail Prethi-
baut, placing his snult-box on the table
before him. and gazing on it with deep
Il will tell you the story.
Thirty-five years ago to-day was the
chief actor in domestic tragedy"
your interrupted Vaugiron, '.you
in n domestic tragedv?'
For reply Prethibaut favored his
friend with a violent kick under the ia
Die, and went on:
''At that time was but twenty-five;
my life was peaceful and happy. l had
, wife whom l adored, daughter
whom l idolized."
What, you," bawled vaugiron.
''Ycs," went on Prethibaut, giving
him another kick. MY estate was in
he Ardennes, and was a passionate
iunter. Adjoining my property was
hat of man little younger than L.
lie was about the same age as Maurice |
here, and. by the way, he
much resembled him. Well, we often |
net; we became friends. He came to
ny house, and-eXcuse me gentlemen. |
'ut my Old blood boils when L think of |
the wrote some verses to my wife.
"Well. sought him out. told him
hat one of us must die; that, in order
o avoid scandal, we would load our
'ieces with buckshot, conceal ourselves
N both sides of trail. and when the
'oar was driven by us we would fire
Tut not at the boar.
''It was done. Thirty-five wears apo
o-day we lay crouched there, glaring ut
ach other across the trail. We heard the
'oar coming; we fired. Whether q
of guilt had unnerved my
riend's hand, or not, 1 do not know,
'et was uninjured. But both loads
rom my gun struck him, and he fell
Jack. his head and breast pierced with
'alls, a mangled, bleeding corpse.
There is not much more to tell. / was
and released. as on the sur
ace it was accidental. My wife died
n a mad-house; my daughter died
hortly after. and now 1 am alone.
IAN you wonder, gentlemen, that 1 am
Melancholy when the years bring round
gain the day on which l slew my
riend?"
He shook his head gloomily, and took
pinch of snuff.
VaugirOn struck the table violent
low, which made the glasses ring.
81 would do the same." he cried.
You were perfectly right. would do
he same"
At breakfast the next morning it was
o,iced that Maurice Boisgibert was alb
ent. The host found note for him ut
is plate, however, which he read
loud:
NJ. Boisgibert has received a letter which
)rce5 him to leave for Paris ut once. Import
Mt business. He becs NJ. Vaugiron to receive
is excuses. and much regrets that he cannot
,main with the pleasant party ut the Chateau
g Verrieres
''Well," said Prcthibaut, in ~ whs-
er to the host. what did tell you?'
'.Prethibaut," replied Vaugiron, with
n admiring glance, '.what u dreadful
ar you uarer'-A1yonnut
Economy.
A young man has just been married.
IN the evening of the happy day, he