Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-09-24

Nine. nurand.
Don't try to guess, my dear madame; !
it is bombshell."
"a bombshell?''
"Durand has often expressed desire |
to possess a bombshell, one that has !
seen service and at my request my friend
Roland, cOmmandant of a battery, has
sent me this. 1t is from the AKRON pla-
teau, where it fell, but failed to ex-
plode."
As l spoke, united the blue ribbon;
took off the paper, and the bombshell
black sinister and menanc-
ing.
my dear fellow" said Durand, Il am
delighted. / shall hang it up in my
study"
But" objected Nine. Durand, IF it
has not gone Off"
"Oh, have no fear. 1t was understood
that Roland would only send it to me
empty and harmless. However, there is
aletter accom- panying it."
/ opened the letter and was about to
read it aloud, but at the first line my
face began to express surprise, then anx-
iety, when everyone cried:
whats the matter?"
"Great heavens!-I have listen" and
| read:
Dean FRIEND: Here is the bombshell you de
sired But have been unable to fl nd an artil-
leryman who knows how 10 unload II. Send 1t
10 the armorer in the Passage de HOpera, who
will fix 1t for you perfectly. But warn you to
take precautions; not the least shock, not the
faintest friction, for IL you strike it with tven
sheet OF paper it will explode.
Yours, as ever, ROLAND
l was interrupted by cries of fright.
ooh, take it away" cried Nine. Durand.
"Oh, this is terrible! A bombshell in my
hOuser
"For heavens sake" said I, raising my
hand warningly, be calm! Do not be
scared; the artilIeryman who brought it
shall take il away"
But sir" said the servant who stood
trembling in the door, the ''artilleryman is
gone"
"Then,' said lit is l who must"
II forbid YOU cried Durand. "You are
not strong enough TO carry it. You would
let it fall on the way perhaps on the stairs
or even in this room"
Mime Durand threw herself on me, cry
ing:
mo, no, not you. 1t is too dangerous.
Not you"
This" said Durand is work for a
strong soldier. Happily the captain is
here"
~" said the Captain uneasily
yes; you are as strong as bull, and
besides you are used to these dreadful inn
plements of war. You play with cannon
balls and bombshells as schooiboy does
with his tops and marbles"
"But but, pardon, me- said the Cap
tain who grew slightly pale. "a bombshelI
you see, you SORGHUM. Can we not
wait until tomorrow, and have it taken
away them"
TO morrow"' cried Nine. Durapd.
"Why, [ couldn't close my eyes the whole
night. | would rather go to one of the
hotels"
Here Victor stepped forward:
DO not put yourself to SO much trouble
| beg said he. II will take the shell
away.
you are mad boy" cried Durand stop
ping him. Just off Il sick bed and with
your wounded arm! Do you want to
bring the house down upon your ears"
"Let 1T be, Victor said /, this is no
work for sick man"
But it is Just the task for the Cap
tain" continued Durand. 81 will confide
it to no one but him. Come, Captain, be
quick. Pick up the monster and deliver
us from this nightmare"
The Captain did not like the situation
that was evident. But he was not the
man to be Disconnected at such trife.
you are right" said he, smiling un-
easily; this sort of thing is in my line.
| was about to say, however, when you in
terrupted me just now, that it would be
dangerous for a man on foot to carry it.
The sidewalks are slippery, and a single
false step in the street would be enough
to blow to pieces ten men. To take it
away in n carriage is the only reasonable
way. General Lefevre, who brought me
to your door in his carriage. is dining at
Brebant's, and his carriage is in front of
the restaurant. | will ask him to lend il
tn me. He is an old friend of mine; so
the matter is settled. Just let me buckle
on my belt, and shall be back here in ten
minutes, or Il quarter of an hour at the
outside"
Fly, them" said Mime Durand. Il
scarcely dare to breathe while you are
gone
Il shall run, my dear madame" So
saying, the Captain took his plumeG sha-
ko, his cloak, and FASTENED from the
room. And from the way he bounded
down the steps ii was evident that he
was i'll hurry.
| returned to the drawing room, which
was still all CONSERVATION. Nine. Dur
and vacillated between a desire to fly
and curiosity to examine the bombshell.
As if unintentionally, looked out into
the street, which was brightly lighted up
by the full moon.
ut was n very simple matter to let me
take it away" murmured Victor.
Tut, tut!' cried Durand, surprised at
the young mans quiet courage. ut is
better that the Captain should do it
Let us hope said Nine. Durand. that
he will not keep us waiting long"
Not keep us waiting long, dear mad
anne" said gally. You may rest as
sured he will. For he will not come back
again"
He will not come back"
Most assuredly not To go to Bre-
bant's restaurant he should take the road
to the right, while he went the other way,
and fast enough he was going, too"
Good gracious! What does this
mean?"
THAT means, friend, Durand, that your
Captain is Dragging cur, and l am de-
lighted To have unmasked the batteries of
such scoundrel in favor of such an es-
Unable young man"
And taking the photograph album, l
struck it violently on the cap of the bomb
shell, which burst into thousand pieces
of-chocolate. 1t was made of choco-
late, and showered over the carpet
fusillade of sugar plums, candied fruits
and nuts.
shout of laughter followed the explo-
sion.
1t is perhaps needless to state that Vic
tor and Gertrude were married as soon as
the war was over.
1t was also probably needless to state
that the Captain never returned.
Johnny was Posted.
New York Mail
Little Johnny Jordan was passenger
on a suburban train. Beside him sat