The Washington critic., 1886-09-30

strategical editor of lie Temps had Just
struck terrible blow at Prince Charles
In the ncighborhood of Evreux. Durand
offered us this good news for our New
Years present. Victor brought hare
which he had trapped beyond the for.
tiflcations. AS to the captain, he pre-.
sented Nine. Durand with bag Of
marrons glaces in Uhlan's helmet.
Madame" said he, magnificenlly,
al am sorry did not bring in IL the
head of its owner"
What" cried Madame Durand, al.
most speechless with emotion, Did
you kill bimY"
"Ay, to get this bonbon box. madame
"A performance which, | make bold
to say, would not have been attempted
by many men,
will pass over the recital of this
adventure. Of which you may be sure
our Bombastes did not spare us the
smallest detail. Crouched down be
hind cask, he had watched for, sur.
| prised and Knocked down the wearer
| of the cap, solitary sentinel, and had
| strapglcd him, in order not TO arouse
the attention of the enemy, by using
his revolver What poor showing
the hare, stranglcd, too, made beside
this glorious triumph
"Wcll," said l, 81 would not think
| of rivaling such hero as the Captain !;
but also have my little surprise. But
| 1t has not yet arrived, aud hope you
will dine without waiting for it.
We sat down to table, and very
| pleasant dinner IL was. We had Just
reached the coffee, when the servant
| informed us that an artilleryman had
| just deposited my present in the draw
ing room. Repairing thither we found
the object on the table, wrapped in
bright. colored paper and tied up with
| gay ribbons.
"What In the world can 1t be-"
asked Nine. Durand.
Don't try to guess, my dear
madame; it is bombshcll."
"a bombshell?"
| "Durand has often expressed to me
desire to possess q bombshell, one
that has seen SERVICE and at my re-
quest my friend Roland, commandant
of a battery, has sent me this. 1t is
from the Avron plateau, where 1t fell
but failed to explode
As spoke ! united the blue ribbon,
took Off the paper, and the bombshell
appeared, black, sinister and menacing.
my dear fellow" said Durand, II
am delighted. l. shall hang 1t up In
my study"
But" objected Nine. Durand, "if
It has not gone off -
"Oh, have no fear. 1t was under.
stood that Roland would only send it
to me empty and harmless. However,
there is letter accompanying it.
opened the letter. and was about to
read it aloud, but at the first line my
face began to express surprise, then
anxiety, when every one cried:
Whats the natter"
Great heavens-I have--listen,
and read:
| DrAr FRIEND: Here ia the bombshell you de-
sired. But have been unable to find an ar.
tillrryman WHO knows how to unload i. Send
IL 10 the armurer In the Passage de lOpera,
| who will ilN II for you perfectly. But warn
you 70 take great precautions; not the least
shock. not thd iaintc friction for II you
strike it with ev, n sheet of paper II will ex-
| plodc. Yours, as ever,
| ROLAND.
| was interrupted by cries of fright
"Oh, take 1t away" cried Nine.
Durand. "Oh, this is terrible! a
bomhshell in my house"
For heavens sake" said l, raising
my hand warningly, "bc calml Do
not he fiightened the artillcrymau
who brought 1t shall take it away"
but, sir" said the servant, who
stood trembling in the door, "the ar
til'cryman has gone.
Then" said |, "it is who must
IL forbid you!" cried Durand. "You
are not strong enough to carry it. You
would let ii fall on the way-perhaps
on the stairs, or even in this room."
Nine. Durand threw herself on me-
crying. mo, no, not you. 1t is toe
dangerous. Not YOU"
This" said Durand, 'is work foI
a strong soldier. Happily, the Captain
is here
"I!" said the Captain, uneasily.
"Nes; you are rs strong as bull,
aud besides, you are used to these
dreadful implements of war. You play
with cannon balls aud bombshclls as 4
schoolboy does with his tops and
marbles"
"But-but, pardon me-" said ih'
Captain, who grew slightly pale, -
bombshell, you see, you see --er-hum
Can we not wait until to morrow anl
have 1t taken away them
ITO morrow cried Nine. Duranl
"Why, | couldn't close my eyes the
whole night would rather go to +
hotel"
Here Victor stepped forward.
"Do not put yourself to so mucl
trouble, beg" said he. II will talk
the bombshell away"
"lou are mad, my boy" erie,
Durand, stopping him Just Off ,
sick bed, and with your wounded arm
DO you want to bring the house dow
about your ears?"
Let 1t be, Victor" said l. "thls /
no work for sick man."
"But it is just the task for the Cap
tain" continued Durand. II will con
lide 1t to no one but him. Come, Cap
tain, be quick. Pick up the monste
and deliver us from this nightmare.
The Captain did not like the situl
tion that was evident, But he wa
not The man to be disconnected at such
triile
"Nou are right, said he, smiling IN
easily; "this sort of thing is in my lluc
! was about to say, however, when yol
interrupted me just nov, that 1t woulC
be dangerous FOR u man on foot to carr,
II. The sidewalks are slippery. aud
single false step in the street would b.
enough to blow to pieces ten men II
take it away in carriage is the onl,
reasonable way. General Lefevre, viii
brought me TO your door in his CIR
riage, is dining at Brebauts and hi
carriage is in front of the restaurant.
willask him to lend it me, lie Is a,
: old friend of mine; 50 the matter |
settled. Just let me buckle on my belt
and shall be back here in ten minutes