Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-09-11
AN UNMASKED SHARPER.
A STORY FROM THE FRENCH.

They were discussing the latest scan-
dal. A young man of good connections
had been ignominiously expelled from
club. Playing in collision with a pro-
fessional gambler, he had cheated at
cards and in few months had won
considerable sum.
"And has he killed himself?" asked
| some one.
"Bah" replied another. 'Do men
kill themselves for so little nowadays9
1t was different in the good old times.
''ln the good old times, as you call
them," said old General Roy, "those who
adopted the card sharper's profession
killed themselves no more than do those
of the present time. A few exceptions
there may have been among those who
were detected at the outset. But if the
first attempt succeeded, they did as they
do to day, they quickly accustom them
selves to their degradation. All, it is so
easy! When respect for his own good
name will not restrain a man at the first
step, it is entirely dead within him, and
even a scandal will not revive it. By
the way, l can tell you of a curious case
in point, where the hero blew out his
brains, but it was not suicide. No,
strange as it may sound, it was not a
suicide. Listen
'1t was some fifty years ago. The
press of that time was not the terrible
gossip that it is to. day, and sensational
news never passed certain bounds. There
were not fewer scandals, but the scan
dals were less known. In fact, I.thnk
there were rather. more Not that we
are more virtuous, but the fear of pub
licity is certainly great check.
among the elegant young fellows,
the gilded youth of those days, who fur
nished the greater part of the scandal
GUS gossip by their eccentricities and
duels, was young gentleman attached
to the fing's household. shall call him
the Vicomte Ro.and.. The name was
not an illustrious one; in fact, the vi
comte was the fruit of one of those
mixed marriages introduced by Napoleon
|. General Comte Roland, whose heavy
cavalry charges are matters of history
had married the daughter of the Marquis
de Bransac, member of one of the
wealthiest and most powerful families of
France. His son was hen about twen-
ty-six years of age. He had not the re-
bust, plebeian beauty of his father, who
had been one of the handsomest men in
the army. His was rather the delicate
and distinguished grace of his mother,
whose idol he was. Having loved her
husband passioaately, the countess was
now wrapped up in her son.
| 60 Tho Nyfr e. la
had caused Il quarrel between the parents.
The countess lived in the Bransac Hotel,
one of the finest in the Faubourg Saint
German, while the general, secludlng
himself in little chateau in the forest OF
Senart, passed h IS time in the pleasures
of the chase. They say he had iil.treat-
ed his wife, but it was utterly untrue.
The fact is that there had been between
the general and his wife two terrible
scenes. '.'' ,' it' ...,t
''rhe first was caused by an idea which
cook possession of the countess. She
found this name Roland too plebian fol
her son, and tormented her husband tc
obtain the kings authority to add to il
that of DeBransac. The general ener
getically refused.
"'My name has sufficed for ME, said
he, for me who have made it famous
1t will do for, this fine gentleman, my
son. If he does not find 1t brillian
enough, let him try to add to its luster.
"The second scene was brought abou
by the vicomte abductipg bale
dancer, and bya duel and a debt which
were the consequences Of this little af
fair The general brought the son be
fore his mother and roughly reproveC
him for his folly. Instead of supporting
her husband, the countess made excuses
for her son. Women always are indul
gent toward the man in love scrape
'As the general told his son that hi
fortune was not sufficient to. maintain
such scandalous absurdities, the coun
tess unhappily interiecled:
"'Oh, the fortune of the DE Bransac
will amply suffice for him.