The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1882-04-06
1.-THE TRAGEDY Of THE MARSH"
1nslatod for tho ':Argonaut" from tn
RrAnnh ~ n Taunsn

Ttanslstod for tho 'Argonaut" from the
French Of o. Leman
Itell the tale as twas told to me by Noel,
keeper Of the pastures, one day when was
duck-hunting on the marshes of Saint.
Georges. We had beaten the princes en-
closure, Dick in advance, nose to the wind:
Noel bringing mp the rear, with my game
bag-whioh, alas! was not heavy--on his
shoulder. The MONDAY sun fell perpen-
dicularly upon our heads; the mosquitoes
swarmed about us by thousands, first rl.ak-
ing their presence known by sounding q
charge in our ears. The Seine-a lo"g
ribbon that unrelled itself in its passage
around the hillside--glistened like . mirror
Quillebnnf, with its quay grown green
through long and intimate contact with the
marsh, its slate roofs scattered pell.mell
around the old church, and It's white light
house, like an advance guard, stood up
right at the foot of the pier.
We were approaching the rushes with
gun half cooked and ear strained to catch
the faintest sound Suddenly detected q
rustling among the reeds.
"Hist!" whispered Noel; watch atten-
lively, but be in no haste" Thereupon, tC
my establishment, he seized without cerc-
mony the following piece with which had
taken aim, For Gods sake, do not fire.
1t is crazy Jeanne!"
Through the tall grasses, which prevent
I'd my clearly discerning the object, now
perceiveda white shadow reflected in tue
ripping waters. Soon fantastic figure
appeared on the other side of the PUSHES:
1t was Of still youthful woman, pale AMI
emaciated, whose eyes glittered with that
restless, lurid light which marks the prey
Of consuming fever. Hanging loosely
from her waist was skirt that had been
originally white, hut now it was bedraggled
with mud. She wore. crossed over her
bosom, a red shawl. while OIL her head. en-
tangled in her heavy hair; was bridal
wreath--crushed and torn, nnd matted
with grasses. She paused and gaze,l at ns,
took two steps forward with both arm; ex-
tended. then paused anew. For an instant
she stood thus, with fixed gaze. as motion
less as stature; then gave utterance to 4
strange cry. ha II sob, which awakened
from it's reyery and put to fight II hugh
heron that was summing itself in neigh
boring field.
Come. be still, silly one" said Noel, in
bis harsh, rough voice, ut the sound OF
which the poor girl gathered up her skirts
with both hands, and pursued her cratic
course toward Saint Georges.
We seated ourselves Oh Il neighborine
hillock in the immediate vicinity. under
the shade Of the silvery willows, ind, at
my request, after having first taken q drop
to restore cheerfullness, the keeper began
his narrative, to the h0arse accompani-
ment furnished gratis by the frogs from out
the ditch.
5eanne's father lsalL NoelI is the host OF
the Inn where yon are now staying. Pre-
viOlls to her misfortune, Jeanne was uni
versally considered to Re the belle of all the
country hereabOuts; nor was there within a
raids OF tea leagues an inn more frequented
than that of Pere Simon. The line OF car
riages drawn up III the courtyard Sunday
after Sunday was a sight worth seeing.
Calashes and omnibusses from Havre, con
veying thither gay parties attracted to the
inn by the fame of its matelote hunters
eQuipages, with their ]iveried coachmen;
to say nothing of travellers gigs of every
description, and heavy farm wagons, whose
horses stopped Of their own accord before
the door.
Jeanne was the life and soul of the
house, In the saloN, where the villagers
were wont to assemble in friendly converse
over cup Of coffee or glass of wine; in
the kitchen, where all absolutely gilt
tered in it's cleanliness; in the cellar, filled
to repietion with its barrels of cider and
rows Of wine bottles. In short, everywhere
her snowy cap was visible. She was ever
on the alert that nothing might escape her
eye or her ready wit, and was always ready
to laugh at a good joke, which no one could
better appreciate than herself.
Pere Simon, seated at his counter in the
midst OF many hued bottles, gathered in the
earnings that cost hin, nothing but tho
trouble OF clinking glasses With bis guests,
10 pretty girl with large dot, suitors,
as rule, are not wanting, nor would they
have been to Jeanne but for the fact that
every one was aware that her hand was o.
ready promised to Raymops La Thiele, the
son OF q neighboring farmer. They had
grown up together, and long before either
party was of an age to think of love, it was
n understood thing that they were to be
m"rried as soon as Raymond should return
from the service.
Would be lovers were not slow to recoo.
naze IN their successful rival man of DOW
er1u! frame, whose jealous disposition made
ltsel! Known. when excited by anger, in the
weight of his fet. Moreover-this most
enectuai preventive against counter claims
tae father.tn.law elect was possessed Of
thirty acres Of sunny land, to say nothing
OF the finest pastuiage in the country. The
!sfm ID just above the i'm. You can zee
It from here, behind those poplars, border.
ing the marsh, The house, with it's matched
soof and black Cross beams. was. however.
put q nd nest for a newly.married pair.
tnefe3ore Fore La Thiele had promised az
*sdding-gift to build them a new house
IN the up!ands IA house Of brick and slate
~ arc built Ia the city, the garden of which
Wy 10 % laid Oh with graveled walks, and
enclossd In an iron railing.
mere was mach visiting from the farm
70 me Inn. In the evening, after the last
guest had taken bin departure, and the
shutters were drawn, then the four ad-
iatners-old soldiers-sat with the brandy
bottle between them, and told each other
stories-always the same-of other DAYS:
ana the young people. within the shadow
or the chimney corner, also told each Other
seoiy. which, too, Was always the same
YET theirs WIS tale IA old as the everlast.
ing hills. But Raymond was obliged to
leave for the army. The evening lre-
!lous to that appointed for the drawing Of
lots' Jeanne burned tine WAY candle. rs 4
plopitlatory Offering. As a result Of this
generous sacrifice, her lover was conscripted
Tor single year only.
AZ may readily be supposed there was !
sof'owfnl parting. Many were the kisses
;Ip.efenaneed; again and yet again was
the farewell uttered. only to be revoked
with another kiss. When the last alden
was finally whispered, Jeanne cried and
so6bed as though her heart would break.
But girls tears are like rain storms short
IN duration in proportion to their violence.
Jeanne doubtless appreciated the fact that
weeping spoiled pretty eyes, and that work
done with sorrowful heart was drulQery.
30 that a. 1t may, at the close OF the SEC
ond day che was az merry and blithe az OF
yore. Again she sang ~ thrush in the
sunshine.
Explain Who can Why Jeanne, as good q
GU! as ever lived, bstl otAed to tine YOUNG
fellow, should in few short DAYS have for.
gotten the companion OF her childhood to
become enamored Of q stranger, loving him
madly. even unto death, for death oniv can
end her misery, poor creature! Wo-
Int this solution OF the enigma ia not sa 1nS
factory to me, nor is it to many Others who.
IKE myself, have found this riddle inso.
luble.
Jules Delaporte was considered hand
some by those who admired his style. For
my pat do not like these pomatumei)