The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-13
THE BOMBSHELL.

New Years Day and its accompanyinA presents have recalled a rcminisceHce ot the siege-a personal experience which does me honor, and of which am proud. Letthe reader, however, not be alarmed. 1 shall net take him to the rampArts, nor call upon him to visit the oatPes.s shall not be asked to go farther, in fact, than the Rue de Trevise, whore resided my old friend. Dutailly, wealthy manu- facturer ot chemicals, the husband of an excellent wifo, the father of a charming daughter, skillfnl in hts business and a good patriot, though little wild on the subject of politics. ln short one of the best men that ever lived.
 Although surprised, with every one else, by the actual investment Of Paris, Mme Du,ailly, like a prudent woman, had long been engaged in the work oi provisioning her establishment, and had amassed such an abundance of provisions that, had the siege lasted three months longer, the Dutaillys would not have ksowu want From tho month of Octo- Der her family had reason to bless her, and as a plate was laid f,r me regularly had equal cause to rejoice al the wise torethought which had secured results so satisfactory. How was il possible not to grow enthusiastic in those days of piiva- ton over an omelette au lard and bit oi gruyere, washed down with excellent wine
 was not the only guest welcome at this hospitable board. Another plate was placed by the side ot mine. It was for young Anatsle Brichaut, head cletk l sL- A~l1- .l. choly, lean, rather timid, was deeply in love with his employers daughter, Mile Gertrude, who did not secm at all insen- sible to his passion. Without any discus sion, the marriage of these two young people seemed to have been tacitly agreed upon. Unfortunately the war had post poned the denouemsnt Bnchaut, cor. poral in the volunteers of the Seine, dis. charged his duty as soldier as con cientiously as he did everything, bu, with ou, enthusiasm, and cursed the un- ending siege which had retarded his hap. 0insss. He also permitei himself to critioise the military operations without rancor, but not without a touch of bitter. ness
 These criticisms somewhat disturbed tue ompos1To 0. Father DuiAilly. an en. thusiastic admiTer of General Trochu About this time a writer on the 2smts was engaged in inditisg a series ol articles reviewing lac course of the war in tho provinces and explaining, by the aid of fervid imagi nation, what move men,s might have been attempted. Ds- tally took these Fomanccs seriously, and predicted, by their lurid light. important victories iu the scar future. Bnchaut an unbelisver, ventured nov and then a timid objection Dutsilly became ex cited, lost his head, and could not be consolsd for his clerks want of faith iu such brilliant strategy.
 ) The appearance of new gues, still more con plicated the situation, l was surprised one evening to sec in my place on Mme Dutsilly's right, a stranger with high colsr, broad shoulders, clustering < and uglorious. He wore a captain distip ipg uishing decoration on a f.ncifu uniform that had evidcatly come ost oi a theatrical wardrobe with enoTmous boots in which 1t would have been i'm. possible to disguise hero.
 Nj Robillard,' said Dutailly on in. ,roducing us, "captain of the Enfanti Pcrdus of Courbevoie."
 had not got through with the soup before Robillard fascinated me. The CT. pioits of this gallant warrior seemed ,o have consisted in exploring tho deserted m nsions of the suburbs, removing to 6 place of safety any furniture that could tempt the cupidity of the enemy, the ~nsrs being unknown. 1 was wonder. ing how this capacious jawed mandarin happened to be thsre that evsning nib. l hl, of kA .k~s Mme. Dutailly informed me net without emsfion. As night was coming on she had fallen On the boulevard and the con sequences might have beea serious had not Robiliard come to her rescue aad brought her home little f lTTied. OdI of gratitude she had invited him to din. ner. The explanation copsoled me. trusted that ] had ssou the last of the doughty warrior. The war, he said, had brosght him back to Paris, whose safe,y de m andod his presence. As to his ad. } ventuTes in the suburbs at the head oi the Eaissts Pcrdus," they surpassed . belief. The enemy cosld do no more , With five thousand fellows like those ,he siege could be raised, etc Mme Du- tally listened to these romances gToedily Neither did Dutailly seriously resist the . inclination to credit these tales of mill. ,ary prowess As to the poor little vol. unteeT. he seemed totally eclipsod by the presence of this egregious braggar.
 invented an excuse fer Ieausg Aher the coffee-uttsriy disgus.ed with the rhodsmontAde of this CAscsn, from whorz believed vas parting forever, but ia which belief vas terribly deceived. Os the following Suaday he reappeaTcd he ! came sSs:s On Thursday. asd haAlly hts plate was lad at ali repasts ss rsgula , as my own. M Dusaillys household had been charmed ss completely as the btrd that the snake selects for it's victim R7- billiard had gained an isAaence over Mime. DItailiy by his droli stories and had voa her husband by bis apparea, interest in the military operations in the 7tmps. Anaiole visioly lost ground a, eveIy meal ground which this buily as yn&ihiv o.rruuted