St. Landry democrat., 1885-03-28

er and son were absolutely lueutIcftA,
although Schmidt No. | was utterly
ignorant of the transformation that had
taken place in his personal appearance.
The Captain of the battery, who was
an old gentleman by the name Of
Braun, was already on the parade
ground, waiting for the arrival OF ms
friend Schmidt No. 1. Captain Braun
was greatly gratifed when he saw his
friend coming, for they We're great
chums and loved to chat together. AS
Schmidt No. l drew near Braun, the
latter perceived by the black hair and
mustache that he was mistaken, that 1t
| was Schmidt No 2; so he thought.
Good morning, Lieutenant Schmidt
| Where is your father this morning?
Now the father of Lieutenant Schmidt
| No. | had been dead many years, hence
| the old Lieutenant stared stupidity at
his superior officer instead OF answering.
He was under the impression that ne
had not heard Alright.
s'Your father is well | hope, con-
tinued Captain Braun.
"My father?" inquired Schmidt, look
ing still more perplexed, and satisfied
in his own mind that his hearing had
become defective.
Eyes. your father. thought | ex-
pressed myself very clearly. What
cause is there for surprise in my asking
after the health of your father, " asked
Captain Braun.
t'You are very kind, am sure, to
make inquiry" replied Schmidt NO. !,
'.but, Captain, my father is dead, un-
fortunately"
.Dead!'S almost shrieked old Braun,
'.did you say dead?''
''Yes, dead" replied Schmidt No. l,
opening his eyes wider than ever.
''My Godi Il is dreadful. How true
/ it is that in the midst of life we are IN
death. Merciful Heavens, how did it
happen?'
Ellis horse fell on him and broke his
neck
The old Captain clasped his hands in
silent agony, and muttering: lit is
dreadful, dreadful walked slowly
away.
Schmidt No. did not know what to
think Why his father, who had been
dead twenty-five years, should become
the object Of interest to Captain Braun
at that late day was more than he could
apprehend. He gazed at the retreating
form of his superior officer until he
turned a corner and was out OF sight,
and then soliloquized:
ssThis beats anything | have expert
enced yet Poor old Braun must have
softening of the brain, or else he has
taken to drinking"
| just then Lieutenant Scholz, another
officer belonging to the same battery,
came around the corner.
ssGeod morning, Schmidt
.4Good morning, Scholz. By the
way, Scholz," said Schmidt No. /,
"did you meet Captain Braun just
nowp"
81 did.
/ ibid you observe anything peculiar
about himP''
Yes, he looked as if he had been
crying
II thought 50. Either the old man
has lost his faculties or else he has
taken to strong drink. =
Il can't believe that. he is not that
sort of man. y
There is certainly something wrong
about him. There is a screw loose
about him somewhere. "
What makes you think 50,
SchmidtP''
'Well, just think; he asked me
awhile ago how my father was coming
on. Did you ever hear anything like
4 that?''
"Why shouldn' t he ask you how your
/ father was coming on? | don't see any
thing very strange in his asking you
about your father.
Schmidt No. / looked at Lieutenant
Scholz with astonishment
'sWhy, shouldn't he ask you how
your father is coming on?' repeated
Scholz.
Because" replied Schmidt No. 1,
at is little unusual in sensible per
son to ask after the health of a man
who is dead. =
'Dead!'' exclaimed Scholz. "Come,
now, don't joke on that subject My
dear Schmidt there should be no levity
\ about thing of that kind. =
'sIt don't occur to me to joke, but
] can certainly say that my father is
dead That is mere etatement of q
fact. =
Il Lleutenan6 0chOlA arms urOpp6d Dy
his side, and he became as pale as did the
sympathetic Braun.
Then it is true really true; but tell
me for Gods sake how did it happenP'
His horse fell on him and broke his
| neck. thought you knew it. y
/ L1eutenans Scholz looked the picture
of despair, and Schmidt gazed athim in
utter amazement. y
| My poor, poor friend, said Scholz,
taking both of Schmidt's hands and
shaking them, may Heaven give you