Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1883-02-01
'read. Good by, Antoine, will See you


what noble hearth .-..t 81
One day the editor of the Forban paid
me fOrty-seven francs. and WAS walk
ing the streets with light heart.
Why, Jack, dear old fellow cried to
myself, why did you leave me? Where
are you, now, that fortune smiles upon
me and glory knocks at my door?
Good day, Antoine, said timid voice.
1t was Jack, but with such woebe-
flone appearancei His overcoat had but
two buttons remaining; perhaps, even,it
was the two buttons that had No over
coat.
Where do you come from, my poor
fellowy cried, taking both his hands
in mine.
Il don know, and | am going back
replied Jack. The Siege de Bagdad.' las
failed, and l am homless again.
Come with me-
Il will accept, my dear Antoine. and
without hesitation, because you know |
would throw myself into the fire for
YOU Fec
Jack staid with me for some months
One morning l said to him:
My poor friend, fate is against u.s.
You we're engrossed in the trade Of new
goods and | in the old the Forban, like
the Siege of Bagdad,' was unsuccessful
We are sorely pressrd.'
By evening Jack had disappeared He
was so sensitive he did not wish to re-
main longer at my expense. This time,
alas! real misery came nearer than ever
before. The journals wished fOI known
writers only, and to be known one had
TO make ones self known. What was
to become of me? As l was pondering
this dreadful question | heard some one
ridiculing my personal appearance be-
cause Il must admit itl WAS so very
shabbily dressed. Looking rOnnd | re-
cognized Jack with two or three other
young men.
is it you, Antoine?' he cried. What
has befallen youY
IcOnfess | was about to say some very
hard things to him, when he cried out:
Gentlemen. he who stands before you
will be great man one of these days,
mark well my words. Let me introduce
a friend who saved my life when we
were children, and who has been good
comrade since we have grown up; he
will dine with u.s.
Thanks replied, I have dined.'
+ This was very near the truth. as
had taken all the dinner ! was accus
toned to of late. Jack took me by the
arm and allowed his friends TO pass on.
Come with u.s. said he.
No, am no subject for ridicule'
Listen, dear friend. | have been en-
ployed by the Willie de Carcassonne' for
two months now. I have not laid up
a aS ua fttI- in hnr In
[ shall come to see you. and then
You owe me nothing
Il owe everything to you. But that |
does not weigh upon me, for you know,
my good Antonio, would throw myself
in to the fire for you
had no dinner, but returned home |
with a joyful heart; it is so delightful
to meet with such gratitude!
Nevertheless, Jack did not come. |
did not hear of him in my way for eigh-
teen months, and none of his companions
knew of his whereabouts. One morn
ing | saw kind of Chodruc Duclos
slouching along the Champs Elysees. 1t
was Jack.
is that you, Jack?
Yes, my friend the Vile de Carcas-
Onne failed, and | was afterward with
the Grand Kleber, but that has since |
Did one ever hear of such i'll luck |
When misfortune onee comes to man |
it seems to follow him everywhere, or to
speak more truthfully still, it precedes
him. took Jack home with me.
1t is destiny that you should always
save my life,' said Jack.
Would you not do the same for me-?
oh, surely, would throw myself into
the fire for you.'
My situation at this time was some
what improved, as had accomplish d
some work for bookseller, and an old
sharper of the place de la Bourse' en-
gagged me eo write some verses for an
party, paying me one sou, and
selling them for ten to the satisfaction
of everybody. Jack could have assisted
me somewhat, as my verses at that
time must have been atrociOus, but when
| alluded in any way to such desire he
would say:
Il would throw myself into the fire for
you, dear Antonio, you know, but do not
ever ask me to lind a rhyme for you
One day said to him: My good Jack. L
have worked all night on these papers,
will you carry them to the printing
office for me?
He replied: My dear Antonio, you
know that l would throw myself into
the fire foI you, but, Notwithstanding
my desire to be useful, can not act as
your servant
This was just; he was quite right.
went to the Office myself. The old
sharper of the place de la Rourse' died
81, f,.l laA
lack, who, as l have already said, was
80 very delicate in feeling, again appear
ed. One morning found him smoking
1 cigar at the door of MERGERS shop.
What are you doing here, jack in
Iuired.
This is my home he replied.
What do you sayT
L have married the mistress of the
shop :
-'M'lle Minettep'
The same
l could not help smiling.
4 know why you SMILE said Jack.
You mistake me-. s
Ne, do not. But there is mercy for
Ill SINS
Are you happy?
Yes. business is very good
Il wish could say as much
My good Antoine said he, you know
would throw myself into the fire for :
'Ou, but you understand that it would =
)e impossible for me to have you here {
He was right. Besides l must own ;
hat should have been ill at ease with .
,oor Minette. This little shop woman :
vas anything but happy. Jack soon j
Quandered all of her money, and she :
vas obliged to go back TO work in the :
,ity again. My wife was jade said =
lack, 'and l have left her. l wish to .
i've alone hereafter, and am going into :
,usiness' :
While waiting for said business, Jack :
ived with me as formerly. did not
eel satisfied with the arrangement, but