The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-03-03
A TERRIBLE DUEL.

A TERRIBLE DUEL.
Adapted From the French of Albert Delpit
From the Revue des deuxS Mondes
Last year went to Besancon, to attend {
friends wedding. His bride. was thu
daughter Of one of the wealthiest and best.
known families in the city, and the affair
was a most brilliant one. When: we were
feast, felt hand upon my shoulder. ]
turned. Before me stood young captain
| of dragons, handsome, dashing fellow,
with curly blonde hair. -:
"You do not recognize me-" said he, smil-
ing. 49,: y
an truth" said I, hesitating, II can not
| remember"
II am Gustave Raisant, your old chum.
Why, I remember we'll the first day you
came to school, You advanced toward me
as I stood in the play ground, and said.
Lend me some marbles I lent you some,
and we became fast friends at once, and our
friendship lasted for three years. ;
grasped his hand warmly, and we at
once began to talk over old times together
It is always with a certain degree of pleas
ure that one meets an old chum of school
or college. So We exhausted the subject of
school days. and took up our present pros
poets. Gustave told me that his were ex-
cellent; he would soon have commission
as major, a lucky advancement for so young
a man. When Iprepared to leave, he ac-
companied me to the station, and, after a
cordial farewell we separated, he promis-
ing to visit me when he should come to
Paris.
Months passed, and heard no more Of
Gustave. Finally, one morning, saw his
name in the Journal 0fciel, and noted
with pleasure that he had received his ex-
pected promotion. With his commission
he had received orders detailing him to
garrison at Maubeuge, on the Belgian
frontier.
One August evening was taking stroll
in the Champs Elysees. 1t was little af-
ter nine, and around me was the usual gay
crowd of a summer night. Promenaders
by the hundred; merry people seated at the
little tables in front of the cafes, smoking,
drinking, and chatting. To the right, a
cafe concert, its front hung with colored
lanterns. Before me the long Avenue des
Champs Elysees extended, it's hundreds of
lights glimmering like glow-worms in the
dark. Suddenly saw familiar face by
the light of a street lamp. 1t was Gustaye
Raisant.
Halo, major!" said I, extending my
hand, well met!"
"Ah. is it your" said he, languidly. am
glad to see you"
tentively. He seemed to have aged much
since had seen him before. Already there
were gray hairs showing around his tenn
pies. Linking my arm with his, said:
"Come, let's take stroll"
"Willingly."
After we had walked some little distance I
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 moment, but finally re-
Piled:
YES"
"A love affair, I'll be sworn
He was silent, and repeated my some-
what brusque remark There are some
wounds that will not bear probing.
Suddenly he spoke:
Listen" said he, and shall tell you the
cause of my melancholy. Perhaps I am
wrong to chafe under it as I do; perhaps
you may give me some good advice. In
any event 1 shall tell you my story. Since
last saw you there has been tragical event
in my life. Oh, you have heard nothing of
it. Thanks to the people at headquarters,
the papers we're silenced, and won't bore
bitterly. Il think it is interesting. But it is
old-the old story of the parents sins be-
ing expiated by the children"
He knocked the ash from his cigar, and
then he slowly told his story:
last .Inna Won may know the re-
serve forces were ordered out of their year.
ly service. We had some of them at Maui
beuge, where I had been stationed with the
Fifty sixth for month. One morning as
I 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 q chop before the
train left. It was a very large establish
ment, with marble tables around the room,
and at one end was long bar, where those
with light purses we're allowed to take re-
freshments. Our table was near the bar,
and at the time we seated ourselves there
was a long line of private soldiers and la
borers drinking there. We talked of va
1ious matters, and finally my companaion
said:
Have you the son of any celebrity among
your recruits?"
Yes, said l, young Myr1an, son OF the
we'll known painter, lis in my command. And
you?"
Well, I have the son of a celebrity, too,
but of different kind. 1t is young George
de Ferisset'
What! not the son of Madame de- Ferisset
pretty De Ferisset?'
1.-The same
Il laughed heartily as I said:
'"Well, we'll! So De Ferissct has a
grown up son, has she? How the time flies