The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1882-08-03
AN AWKWARD PREDICAMENT.


An AWKWARD PREDICAMENT.
| was dining one evening with nv
friend Pascal, and, as we sat over our
wine, he mentioned that he had lust re-
turned from Strasbourg, where his atten-
ton had been directed to the extensive
fortifications the Germans had erected
since the city had come into their hands.
From this subject the conversation di-
verged to the Franco -Prussian war. and
Pasca! said:
"By-the-bye, 1 was in Paris during the
Commune, and on one occasion met with
rather curious adventure
'sWhat was it?'' Inquired.
II will tell you,n he replied. "You
are aware that the firm of which I am a
member has extensive dealing with vari-
ous French commercial houses. Shortly
after the siege of Paris was over, 1 went
there, and had not been in the city more
than week or ten days before the in
surrection which resulted in the estab-
lshment OF the Commune broke out.
After the Versailles troops had made
themselves masters of Paris, hundreds of
unfortunate wretches were ruthlessly
shot, but little trouble being taken to
discriminate between the guilty and the
innocent. For several days it was not
safe to venture into the streets; but at
last | made my way to the local prefect-
nre and obtained pass to leave the CITY.
Un the following evening, at the railway
station, l found that each passengers
passport was subjected to rigid scrutiny.
Mine, however, being perfectly en- regie,
Twas allowed, after only brief interno-
CATION, to pass on to the platform. I
took seat in a coupe, the only other oc-
cupant OF which was lady dressed in
deep mourning. She was a tall and
rather good-looking woman. / bowed
slightly on entering the carriage, as is
the custom in France, but no word was
spoken by either of US for some little
Tune. Presently my travelling companion
took out her watch. A slight exclama-
ton OF vexation escaped her, and, turn
ing to me, she said:
Pardon, Monsieur-can you inform
me what o'clock it is? I find that my
watch has stopped
Just twenty minutes past nine,
madame
After brief pause, she said:
Monsieur is English; is it not sop''
NOW rather pique myself upon the
correctness of my accent, so J. was
sngntly annoyed at the speakers ready
conclusion that / was a foreigner. T |
therefore simply bowed. With a French
woman's intuitive tact, my companion,
Perceiving that my amour propre was
hurt FASTENED to add:
Monsieur speaks our language ad-
mirably. and his accent is, if I NAV be |
permitted to say SO, thoroughly Partisan. |
put there is a slight intonatien which
ea me to believe that he was a for
eigner.n
leo could not resist the compliment, and
replied. smiling:
Madame flatters me ~
lnere was silence between us for
~, ~ moments; and then my companion
@la, rather abruptly, as I thought:
monsieur, may venture to solicit a
Msor at your handsp''
II madame will indicate the nature
y sne service she requires of me,n T re-
paed, guardedly,- II will inform her
,sasa rrssner or d not it be in my power to
4. y y is simply, Monsieur, that, if when
sa.. u asn stops at any station, we are in
A., l,osated, you will have the goodness to
oslare that am a lady well known to
'0a p ana travelling under your escort.n
n,;sa put, madame" began with sur
ing: "p0ou iiie oy Say
rat ttuonseur, you need be under no ap-
rrssnsnslons ranasI,s that you will compromise
sss.sen r,a. oy acceding to my request. It
mua appear to you an extraordinarv
Iber,,ra aalhlt, but reasons am not at
ms ,sy y. % explain render it desirable for
alons ,.Os !, 70 De supposed to-be travelling
,ae nat You would have travelled so had
osrtay " pure chance entered this COM
agment,' said.
s.,. .has Is true; and it is most fortu- !
seur %sscldent which has given me mon
,esn,u .or fellow traveller was the quick
soks ko'ed moment before I again !
not;v.s niv' anu made shrewd guess at the :
nses orr Which had actuated NV fair
Ae Apaalon in making the proposition
es.as aaa Just addressed to me. She an
nd I $, resolute, determined woman.
IDLE ,s.a s"as, thought. more than pos :
! lie consa 1as she had played part during ?
4 aielv uune aa. which rendered it abso- !;
aouIa essenuai to her safety that she :
hssjna Escape from France. Chance
I esidee.,taa ,taloWn us together, the idea had =
ag hersss,s struck her that, By represent !,
ID Enaeeanl as lady under the escort of
asly sa sasnman, suspicion would be less
bona = -. altach to her than if she were q