Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-10-15

III you do the thing right and are hallway
bright, y. IA ,g.rs, ..ys @sss ;
:. You can win her sweet heart completely.
A FAMILY B0MBSHELL
Translated from the French OF Victorien
Sardou for the Argonaut.
have been recently reminded of an
episode OF the siege of Paris, which, I
f1atter myself, reflects no small credit
Oh me. But be not alarmed. shall
not lead you among the shot and
shell OF the ramparss, nor tine dangers
OF the outposts. The incident I speak
, OF took place in a quiet street, in the
house Of my old friend Durand, q
wealthy manufacturer OF chemicals,
the husband of an estimable lady, the
father OF a charming girl, good pa
triot, and, though perhaps a little
hot-headed in his politics. on the whole
3, One OF the best men in the world.
Although surprised by the invest
-n'ent Of Paris, Nine. Durand, always
a provident woman, had looked to
the condition Of her larder, and she
had laid in such stock OF provisions
that, had the siegelasted three m onths
longer than it did, the Durands would
never have known hunger. Along in
October her wisdom became apparent,
and added my blessings on her fore.
thought to those of the family, for q
cover was always laid for me at her
table; and who, during those times
OF privation, would not be enraptured
at sight OF a golden omelet or some
genuine gruyere? - "
l was not the only guest at this
>hospitable table for my next neiehbor
at the table was Victor Lamont, the
head clerk OF the chemical works. He
was an excellent young fellow, dark
and slender, somewhat retiring, and
apparently very much in love with his
employers daug hter, Gertrude, who
seemed not insensible to his atten-
tions. Though not word has been
spoken on the subject, the union OF
the young couple was tacitly accepted
by all.
Unfortunately, the war prevented
its accomplishment. Victor was q
corporal in the Paris militia, and per.
formed his duties with the same con-
,scientious care he exercised in all
things, but he was not enthusiastic in
anything except in consigning to the
devil this eternal siege which had come
between him and his happiness. And
his criticisms on the conductor of the
operations were-perhaps excusably-
:somwhat bitter.
These criticisms never failed to excite
Durand, who was devoted admirer
OF General Trochu. And still another
thing served to estrange them; LIE
Temps was then publishing a series OF
articles in which the author re1nodeled
the military operations which had
takon place in the province. He in.
., dulged in wild fights of imagination,
but Durand took them seriously and
predicted brilliant victories in the
near future. The doubling Victor
would venture timid objection. Then
Durand would become excited and
angry, and would not be appeased un.
til the clerk granted that each sept
rate battle was a. victory. z
The presence OF new guest tended
to complcate matters still more. I
was surprised one evening to find my
place at Nine. Durand's right hand
occupied by a stranger, a. swash. buck
ling individual with a. bull neck and a
very red face. He wore captains
>epaulets; his uniform looked as If he
might have found it in the property
room of some theatre; his enormous
'boots were midleg high, and altogether
it was easy to see that he posed as a.
hero.
I'M. Morin," said Durand, in intro
ducing rs, captain of the Montmar-
tire Zouaves of DEATH" 3
and scowled a salute. a. ~ = :
Betoret the soupwas over recollected
who this NORM was. His exploits
consisted in removing from the d.
serted houses of the suburbs. such
furniture as would be likely to arouse
the. cupidity of the enemy, and put
ting it in q place of safety until
the owners should take it away.
was wondering how this iron
jawed braggart came to share our
meal, when Nine. Durand explained
the matter to me, with considerable
show of emotion. While out walking.
late in the afternoon, she had slipped
CT the 81 iewalk and fallen, and NORM,
who happened to be passing at the
time, assisted her to rise, and, as she
was somewhat faint and nervous, had
accompanied her home.. She could do
no less than ask him to dinner This
explanation treasured me; ] hoped we
should see no more Of him. .
THE war;" he said" had led him to.
Paris. whose safety required his pres
ence." As to his exploits in the sub.
urbs at the head OF his "zouaves Of
Death, they passed all belief The
enemy could do nothing With my.
five thousand wolves at my back T
made breach, ''setc. .
Mime. Durand listened to this rho.
domontade with complaisance, Du-
4 rand with undisguised admiration.
AS to the poor militiaman. Victor, his
4 existence seemed totally erased in the
presence Of this blusterer.
i invented q pretext to leave im-
mediately after tho coffee, for / was
oppressed by tho Dragging Of the
4 ther-lunged GAscon, whom hoped
b never to see again. But in vain, TOR
on the following Sunday found him
IN tho same place, again on Friday,
and finally q cover was placed for him
every evening. The entire Durand
family seemed fascinated BY him.
4 NORM had captur 1lnls. Durand 81
his joviality, and papa Durand by tie
iys4aat 81 ~