Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1882-09-27
CAPT. DEsCHAMPs' VISITOR.

CAPT. DEsCHAMPS' VISITOR.
II nv memory Is good 1t was IN the
wear 1859 that the incredible fact which
| am going to relate took place in the
good city of Compiegne. The old in
habitants still remember the excitement
which the incident caused, and people
speak of IT under their breath.
Know then that that evening was
completely filled with melancholy. 1
had inst taken coffee, and it was mex
orable. In order to forget that annoy
ance. 1 had sought amends in the
pleasant smoke of a cigar, and that
smoke was acrid. The cold was biting,
ennui Was entering the house by every
pore and by every door, and was even
penetrating through the windows, when
"A violent ring of the bell resounded III
nv ear. went to open the door IN a
very bad humor.
.'Ah. find you m!' exclaimed my
friend Deschamps, springlng into the
room with vivacity which seemed to
ME very singular, as he was person OF
quiet manners, rather serious than
lively.
What is the matter p L asked, shut
ting the door
Nothing" he replied, ''only L was
afraid you might have gone out. and L
am glad to meet You again.
"Come in, then," ] replied, .'and
welcome. 1 must admit that you have
dropped in provIdentialiy, for l really
believe / was Eeeomng enEuied, ana Ii
YOU will grant me the pleasure OF your
company for little while, you will save
me from that catastrophe.
Gabriel Deschamps. Captain OF
Dragons, was of slightly romantic
nature. He easily persuaded himself
that all the women adOred him, and
when he had imbibed too much alb
sinthe, which happened quite Ditch
that is to say, every day-no one was
more tender. A perfect conquerer
Physically, he would be called hand
some man, having high color, thick
mustache, red lips, well-shaped nose,
ana a brig ht eye. As he entered, there
was no visible change IN his appear
ance, tue muscles of his face did not IN
dicate any disturbance OF his mind, but
l thought him pale and fatlgued.
"Weil, - 1 said, ''what news?
"Weu. my friend, have come, Just
as Won now see me, tom Complegne,
he replied.
From Compiegne?
"From Compiegne, on horseback,
eighteen leagues, at full speed
.'At full speed? Then you have de-
serted? %
"Ah, something else, quite as good.
"Weil. what is it then? You don
know how you excite my curiosity. is
there duel in the case!
ssTpere is to be no duel.
"What then?
.There. there; am afraid you Will
make inn of Inc"
..You would not allow that, Captain
..Who can tell ? Have you not, you
scribblels for the papers, ways oil rldl-
culIng people which leave them III
6oubt whether to smile or to WIRING your
nose?"
.sCome. uncork the bottle, my dear
Captain, and drink a little glass oil
NO. thank you, will not drink to-
day." A.,
.sTben it is more serious than l
thoupht. l declare, [ have never be-
fore seen you so excited.
at is 30 stupid for me not to under
stand If, and that Is why l have come
TO see You this evening. You, who are
a skeptic. perhaps can give me the Key
of the pheuonelion which dlsturbs my
mind.
Speak, and 1 viii listen. and be-
lieve me. my dear Captain, with all que
interest.
First. YOU must know that L have
the GOOD fortune of possessing lad!
friend-
..Huln 1 suspected that before you
.sOh, if you are going tojoke me
That's all, my dear Captain. Hence
forth | am mum. Continue.
So. thus reassured, he began:
...Well. then, 1 have charmln
friend with whom l am quite seriously
in love. acknowledge. Three aa!s
ago, beng at liberty and not hnoWlrt ,
how to Kill tine, L lett the parrachs ,
with one of my friends the hrst heu u
tenant of my regimeiit-to .aAe "
along the river bank. Night com ON
menced to fall, and vnlalnous 10y
which YOU could have cut with knlle
rose oyer the Disc, and threatened
quickly to spread over the city.
81 saw. Gabliel." exclaimed NJ!
friend Dulaurier, slightly ruftied D!
the cold and the north wind which was
blowing. are you SO heated that al
nour's walking along the r1ver Is neces
,ary to cool YOU of? For my part.
don't enjoy 1t very much. and II yot
like. We will go to the Cafe Ch"p'h' "n'
have a glass of punch ,ou :,
"In faith no. l repiled, L prgiei -, :,
90 and see Julie. Il need not ten 20,
That is py friends name.) WIZ !o'
come with me!
.sYes, indeed answered Duiauriei |;
"An hour spent with pretty woi'ian
always agreeable.
eve proceeded toward the fauoUTh' %h
Burtebize, where my friend lives. In
distance was quite long, but the eap1e sh
tat,ou Of warming ourselves at u
bIaxe of n comfortable hearlh wa