Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-12-07
THE WAGER,

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companions, whom a table splendidly
served excited at once to appetite ana
gaiety
Mad as much as you please" ans
wered de Marsan, ''but l still renew my
proposal. defy you to take from me
this snuf-box, either by force or strata
gem.
"Do You take 1t ?"
"How many days do You allow me to
prove to you your folly p
Six"
"Done, then p cried de Teviliy, "snd
the stake o.
"a supper as luxurious as tins, in
eight days at my house.
agreed I" cried all the company.
Three days afterwards. de Marsan
met de TeviIly in the Palace Royal.
"WeIl You feel no ill effects from
our joyous night i
"My dear fellow, you arrange things
to marvel -
"You think so p
"Word of honor -
''In that case give me pinch of your
admirable snuff"
"With pleasure"
De Marsan did not observe the slight
smile that passed over his friends coun-
tenance.
They alluded in no way to the foolish
wager made by the blaze of lights and
over the fumes of wine, which had sug-
gested it; perhaps it was forgotten ;
however, the two young men separated.
That night, toward eleven o'clock,
not far from his house, de Marsan was
accosted by two servants, who begged
him respectfully to be good enough to
stop moment.
At the same time, a man, enveIoped
In long dressing gown, brown with red
stars, and preceded by two torch-bear-
ers, appeared in the middle of the street,
an enormous beard flowed nearly to the
waist of the singular parsonage, who,
approaching de Marsan, bowed, and in
strongly pronounced nasal tone, said
How do you do. sir p
'That is very extraordinary ques-
tion," said de Marsan, after o moments
silence, caused by his astonishment.
''It is not the less q question" obser-
we'd the man with the long beard.
''But sir, this hour, that dress, these
servants"
"This hour pleases me, this dress
suits my position, and these servants
are mine.
For the second time, sir, how do
you do"
''What is that to you?"
ga great deal.
"But then"
'My dear sir, listen : my question is
commonplace, allow it, but here is
what / would come to.
"You have watch, all how happy
you are
81 have not, and I take medicine to.
night at two o'clock, not a minute
more, not minute less you can under
stand that for the exactitude of the
thing I must have your watch"
'Ah all y cried de Marsan, who be-
gan to believe he had encountered mad
man, and hoped to get away by frighte-
ming him.
''It is then an ambush
'Just wait"
He was about to draw his sword.
The man with the beard made a sign.
In an instant tour pistols were pointed
at the young man, who, seeing this un'
answerable argument, trembling with
rage, drew out his watch.
There, sir" said he abruptly.
"a thousand thanks. dear sir" said
the unknown 81 feel much indepted
to you for your generous haste" added
he, laughing,
Now let me 60"
Willingly but 1 have again re-
quest to make"
"Be quick about it then"
''That sword"
"My sword ?"
"Yes."
'fYou jest. Sir -
81 give you my word of honor, sir,
that I never Jest"
"What do you mean, rascal ?"
''This tomorrow have duel. l re-
quire sword, and have taken a fancy
to yours therefore, be so polite as moi
to refuse me if not" he pointed to
his armed domest.cs
De Marsan flung his sword at the feet
of this mysterious parsonage.
"And now p
"Now, my dear sir, you are perfectly
free."
1T is very fortunate.
"Your way is direct first to the right,
second to the left, then third door tc
| the riQht-"