Connecticut western news., 1886-12-01
THE TWO PEACHES.

The first time we met after a separa- ton of twenty-five years was at ban quet given by the college at which we had taken our diplomas.
 Vital Herbelot had altered wonder fully since the days when we were schoolmates. I had left him young, timid, dressed like flop, and excessive ly modest in demeanor, as it was proper clerk should be who had yet to make his way in the office where fortune had placed him. The man before me now was burly, stout old fellow, his face and neck Drowned by the sun, with a bright eye, loud voice, and the short, brusque manner of man accustomed to command in short, the easy, com- fortable mien of well-to-do citizen.
 "What are you doing, Herbelotan I said to him as we chattcd between the courses. ''Still in the administration
 Sin the administration I should say not" he responded. s'Didn't you know that had given it upa Pm cultivator. Half league from here, at Chauteraine, Pvs farm which brings me in a round sum. Come home with me and taste my Burgundy"
 'You farmerl You, the son and grandson of a line of bureaucra:s, the model clerk, the prospective ambassador ] How did it happenp
 ''After the banquet pll tell you. Great changes are frequently produced by the slightest causes. I gave up my profes- sion for two peaches"
 1.-Two peachesr cried, astounded.
 "Yes, two peaches; neither more nor less; but have patience; wait until we are at Chauteraine and you shall know all about it."
 A half hour later we quilted the ban quoting room, and lighting cigars began our walkaA0-the faim. It was warm afternoon at the end of August, but the road was we'll shaded and gentle breeze blowing from the direction of the river prevented our suffering from the heat.
 ''You know," said Herbe.ot, beginning his story, 'that in my youth was roll irg ball, without decided preference for any profession, but my father, an old employe himself, could see nothing com- parable to 8 career in public office. As soon, therefore, as ] had received my diploma nothing would content him but that too must follow in the ancestral footsteps. As l said before, with no predilection for special vocation, willingly consented and entered upon the route of bureaucracy.
 'Industrious, educated and discip- lined from infancy to listen with defer ence to the wishes of my superiors, it was not long before was favorably mo- ticed by the chief, ani I rapidly con- quered my first official grade. At this epoch married young and beautiful girl, good and affectionate, but entirely without fortune-a grave fault in the eyes of the world in which lived. My friends were positive that no good could come oft, and openly quoted the pro- verb: If the husband brings the break fast the wife must supply the dinner'
 'sAs far as we were concerned, neither of us had enongh for the scantiest SUD- per, counting out the official salary. Perhaps it was reckless, but my wife was an excellent manager; and as we lived modestly, with the strictest econ omy, local society ceased to rail at oul imprudence and still received us.
 My chief, however, was very rich man, but continued in the treadmill oi administrative work because he loved it, and also because it gave him an excuse for lavish hospitality. He was particu. larly fond of throwing open his doors tc society, and every now and then invited the clerks from the office to attend these entertainments.
 'I had far rather have remained al home with my wife, who had become very delicate soon after marriage, bu was forced, whether or no, to attend the directorial receptions, for We were bound to amuse ourselves according to order.
 'Just at the time when my wife health had failed her most completel, invitations were issued from the direc torial mansion for a grand ball, and Il spite of myself was compelled again t. don a dress coat As the hour ap proached for starting for the affair m wife, who was elaborating the knot o my necktle, said to me:
 '"Don't forget Herbelot, to look a everything so that you can tell me al about it, and, by the way, I saw fror the papers that M, le Director has or dered the greatest lot of de,icacies fror Cheviet's, among them hot house peaches If you love me you'll bring me one,'
 :" My dear child,' l remons.r.ted sthat isn't 10 be done. It Is impossible Think now how difficult it would be fe gentleman in a dress suit to pocket
 peach and escape being seen.' But Il more objected the mere determined sl became in the fancy. Nothing could simpler in the midst of the coming an going than to take peach as if for m peIf.
 :. sPerhap. it is childish, she d Fl 1,ut easnqt iiclp t. Since T.