Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-06-30
THE LAST KISS.


Emile Peckerel was born at Saint
Michel near Montherz. His parents
sent him to Paris to study law, but
before he had passed his last exami-
nation he lost suddenly both father
and mother. When young man
thus comes into possession Of $780,
600. he does not see the necessity of
living at st. Michel. On the other
hand he imagines that his 100000
will last forever, and pitches law
books into the fire.
Peckerel began to lead gay life.
Such a life could not last long. M.
Peckerel soon found himself at the
end of his resources. He was cour-
ageous enough to try and reduce bis
expenses. He sold his phaeton; he
sold his horses, and at last sold his
furniture and went into lodgings.
There one fine evening he began
to think.
lit is a pity" he reflected, "that
nature has been decidedly unkind in
not giving me either uncle or aunt
from whom might entertain expec-
tations. Where can one get money?
cannot gain any myself. / might,
perhaps, earn $40 a week as an
attorneys clerk. What is the use OF
that! / have known the pleasures
OF this world. 1 had better go and
see if there are any pleasures on the
other side Of Jordan. Poison gives
one pain in the stomach, the pistol
spoils ones looks. I have one re-
source left. I have never learned to
swim, and there is the river"
Peckerel smiled like an author who
has discovered a new incident.
Nov, them" he added, Il must
make my preparations. A good
Christian takes the last sacrament
a good Partisan must take his last
kiss
But he was somehow or other sud-
denly fastidious He went on the
bridge Saint Peres and waited till
there should come the nympb he had
pictured in his mind to be the re-
cipient of his last kiss.
She was to be somebody he did
not know. She must be young,
pretty and of style that pleased. A
score of girls had passed him. Some
had brown hair, some dark chestnut,
some light chestnut. None of these
would suit, for he had set his heart
on blonde.
Suddenly he started; there came
the angel of his dreams. His death
knell had struck.
At No. ITO Rue du Bac was pretty
little hotel, in which lived q rich
American. He had coma to Paris
| with his only daughter, Helen. A
little garden with great trees, lawn
on which the sparrows hoped about.
a conservatory that was little winter
garden. Such was the home OF the
fair Helen.
Miss Helen, aged 18, accompanied
by her governess, Miss Peabody, was
out for walk this fine day. Miss
Peabody had allowed herself to be
born in Salem without a murmur.
By her side walked Miss Helen, with
her pretty little nose in the air, like
a lark going to take wing.
Peckerel felt all the blood rush to
his heart, and his temples beat fu-
riously.
Miss Helen came slowly on in
maiden meditation fancy free. Peck
erel walked straight up to her, seized
her in his arms and pressed his lips
to hers. Then, with q spring over
the parapet, he plunged into the
stream.
Helen gave cry of terror; Miss
Peabody fell back against : lamp
post; the crowd rushed up. "Save
him! save himv' was the cry.
A boat shot ont from the quay.
sThere he isw ssHe is deadv' mo,
he has faintedv' II tell you he is
deadw Such were the confused cries
that were heard by Helen as Miss
Peabody led her away homewards.
When she got home, she fell into q
fever. Her mother was informed OF
the occurrence and was blue with
wrath. Miss Helen asked If the
rufian was alive or dead. The father
said he was alive.
sThen, papa" she said. II want to
kill him or marry him."
"My own dear child" murmured
the stern papa
He at once sent out to find Peckerel.
"Whaf did you mean, sir" he
began, "by insulting my daughteri'
Il wanted to die
The Yankee produced Bible,
"Uncle Toms Cabin and ''Innocents
Abroad" He made Peckerel swear
an tho Rihlo that he would be faithful
to his wife. He swore on "Uncle
Toms Cabin" never to neglect his
home for his club. He swore on Mark
Twain to avoid all the pomps and
vanities of the world.
Peckerel swore freely. He imme-
diately married the fair Helen.
So says Aurelian Scholl.