Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-06-09
A FAMILY BOMB-SHELL.
II Exploded and Destroyed Gap.
tain's Reputation.

bdlll . IbopuJ1tiOn.
have been recently remindt d Of an
episode of the siege Of Paris, which,
ilatter myself, reflects no small credit
on me. But be not alarmed. | shall
not lead you among the shot and shell
of the ramparts, nor the dangers of the
outposts. The incident speak of took
place in quiet street, in the house of my
old friend DIrand, wealthy manufac-
turcr of chemicals, the husband of an
cstimablc lady, the father of charm
ing girl, good patriot, and though
perhaps little hot-hcadcd in his poll
ties, on the whole one of the best
men in the world.
Although surprised by the invest
mcnt of Paris, Nine. Durand, always a
provident woman, had looked to the
condition of her lardcr, and she had
laid in such stock of provisions that,
had the siege lasted three months
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 n
cover was always laid for me at her
table, and who, during those times of
privation would not be enrapturcd at
sight of a golden omelettc, or some
genuine gruyerc?
was not the only guest at this hos
pitable table, for my next ncighbor 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 appar-
emily very much in love with his en-
ployer's daughter, Gertrude, who
seemed not inscnsiblc to his attentions
Though not word had been spoken on
the subject. the union Of tho young
couple was tactly accepted by all.
Unfortunately, the war prevented its
accomplishment. Victor was cor
poral in tho Paris militia, and per
formed his duties with tho same con-
scicntious care he exercised In ali
things; but he was not enthusiastic in
any thing except in bewailing this
eternal siege which had come between
him and his happiness. And his criti-
cisms on the conductor of the opera
tions wcrc-perhaps excusably-some-
what bitter.
These criticisms never failed to ex-
cite Durand, who was devoted ad.
mircr of General Trochu. And still
another thing served to cstrange them:
lie Temps was then publishing a series
of articles IL which the author rcmod-
clcd the military operations which had
taken place in the provinces. He In
dulgcd in wild flights of Imagination,
but Dnrand took them seriously and
predicted brilliant victories in the near
future. The doubling Victor would
venture timid objection. Then pu-
rand would become excited and angry,
and would not be appcascd until the
clerk granted that each separate battle
was victory.
The presence of new guest tended
to complicatc matters still more.
was surprised one evening to find nv
place at Mine. Durand's right hand 0G.
cupicd by strangcr-a swashbuck-
ling Individual with bull-ncck and
very red face. He wore captains ep-
aulcttcs. his uniform looked rs IL he
might have found il in the property
room of some thcatcr, his cnormOi,s
boots were mid-lcg high, and alto
gether ii was easy to see that he posed
as hero.
m. NORM" said Durand, IL INTRO
ducing us, Captain of the Mont
martre Zouavcs of Death"
The Captain curlcd his moustachios
and scowled n salute.
Before the soup was over I rccol-
lectcd who this NORM was, His cy-
ploits consisted in removing from the
deserted houses of the suburbs such
furniture as would be likely to arouse
the cupidity of the enemy, and putting
II in place OF safety until its owners
should take it away, was wondering
how this iron-jawed braggart camo 10
share our meal, when Nine. Durand
explained the matter to me, with con-
siderable show Of emotion. While out
walking, late in the afternoon, she
had slipped on the sidewalk and fallen,
and Morin. who happened to be pass
ing at the time, assisted her to rise,
and, as she was somewhat faint and
nervous, had accompanied hef home.
She could do no less than ask him In
to dinner. This explanation reas-
sured me; hoped we should see no
more of him.
"Thc war;" he said "had led him to
Paris, whose safety required his pres
encc." AS to his exploits in the
suburbs, at the head of his "Zouaycs of
Death" they passed all belief 'Thc
enemy could do nothing! With my
five thousand wolves at my back
raadc breach, etc, etc.
Nine. Durand listened to this rhodo-
Ylontadc with complaisnnce; Durand,
with undisguiscd admiration. As to
the poor militiaman Victor, his exist
once seemed totally erased in the
presence of this great biustcrer,
invented a pretcxt to leave immc-
diately. after the coffee, for was OPP
pressed by the Dragging Of the leather
lunged Gascon, whom hoped never to
see again. But in vain, for on the fol-
lowing Sunday found him in the same
place, again on Friday, and finally a
cover was placed for him every evening.
The entire pnrand family seemed fas-
cinatcd by him, Afsrin had captured
Nine. Durand by his joviaiItt, and
pnpn Durand by the interest he seemed
TO take In the military operations con-
Quoted in lie Tempe. Victor lost more
ground at every dinnnr,
The discrcdit info which he had
fallen became plainly apparent after
the bloody tight OF lie Bourgct. whcro