Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1886-05-15
A FAMILY BOMBSHELL.
BIZ ID

Translated from the French Tor the Argonautl
1 have been recently reminded of an
episode OF the siege of Paris, which. l
fatter myself, reflects no small credit
on me. But be not alarmed. l shall
not lead you among the shot and shell
of the ramparts, nor the dangers Of the
outpests. The incident 1 speak of
took place in a quiet street, in the
house of my old friend Durand, a
wealthy manufacturer of chemicals,
the husband of an estimable lady, the
father of a charming girl, a good pa
rent, and, though perhaps a little hot
headed in his politics, On the whole
one of the best men in the world.
Although surprised by the invest
ment of Paris, Nine. Durand, always
a provident woman, had looked to the
condition Of her larder, and she had
laid in such a stock Of provisions that
had tho siege lasted three months
longer than il did. the Durands would
never have known hunger. Along in
October her wisdom became apparent,
and l added my blessings on her fore
thought to those OF the family, for a
cover was always laid for me at her
table; aud who, during those times of
privation. would not be enraptured at
sight of q golden omelet or some gon-
uine gruyerep
1 was. not the only guest at this hos
pitable table, for my next neigh
Dor at 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 daughter, Gertrude,
who seemed not insensible to his at
tentions. Though not a word had
been spoken on the subject, the union
OF the young couple was tacitly ac-
copied by all.
Unfortunately, the war prevented
its accomplishment. Victor was a
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 excusa-
bly-somewhat bitter.
These criticisms failed to ex-
cite Durand, who was q devoted ad.
mirer of Gen. Trochu. And still an
other thing served to estrange them:
Le Temps was then publishing q series
of articles in which the author 70
modelled the military operations which
had taken place in the provinces. He
INDUCED in wild flights of magma
ton, but Durand took them seriously,
and predicted brilliant victories in the
near future. The doubling Victor
would venture a timid objection. Then
Durand would become excited and IN
gry, and would not be appeased until
the clerk granted that each separate
battle was n victory.
The presence of a new guest
tended to complicate matters
still more. 1 was surprised one
evening to find my place at Nine. Dur
and's right hand occupied by a strang.
or, a swash-buckling individual with a
bull neck and a very red face. He
wore captains e%paulets, his uniform
looked as il he might have found it in
the property room of some thester, his
enormous boots were mid-leg high,
and altogether it was easy to see thai
he posed as a hero.
IN. Morin," said Durand, in intro
ducing us, ''captain Of the Montmar-
ire Zouaves of Death" The captain
curled his mustaches and scowled a
salute.
Before the soup was over ! recollec.
ted who this MORN was. His exploits
consisted in removing from tie de-
serted houses of the suburbs such fur
niture as would be likely to arouse the
oupidity of the enemy, and putting it
in a place of safety until its owners
should take it away. / was wonder
ing how this iron-jawed oraggart came
TO share our meal, when Mime. Dur
and explained the matter to me. with
considerable show of emotion. While
out walking, late in the afternoon, she
had slipped on tho sidewalk and fallen
and, NORM, who happened to be pass.
ing at tho 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 into
dinner. This explanation treasured
me; l hoped we should see no more o.
him.
''The war;" he said, ''had led him tc
Paris, whose safety required his pres
ence." As to his exploits in the su
burbs at the head Of his "Zouave.
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