Huntsville gazette., 1886-04-24
A FAMILY BOMB-SHELL.
It Exploded and Destroyed a Cap.
tain's Reputation

have been recently reminded of an
episode of the siege Of Paris, which, I
flatter myself, reflects no small credit
on me. But be not alarmed. l 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 Durand, a wealthy manufac-
turer of chemicals, the husband of an
estimable lady, the father of charm
ing girl, good patriot, and though
perhaps a little hot-headed in his poll
tics, on the whole one of the best
men in the world.
Although surprised by the invest
ment of Paris, Nine. Durand, always
provident woman, had looked to the
condition of her larder, 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
cover was always laid for me at her
table, and who, during those times of
privation would not be enraptured at
sight of golden Omelette, or some
genuine gruyereP
was not the only guest at this hos
pitable table, for my next neighbor 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 insensible to his attentions.
Though not word had been spoken on
the subject, the union of the young
couple was tactly accepted by all.
Unfortunately, the war prevented its
accomplishment. Victor was cor
poral in the Paris militia, and per-
formed his duties with the same con-
scientious care he exercised in all
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 were-perhaps excusably-some-
what bitter
These criticisms never failed to ex-
cite Durand, who was devoted adj
mirer of General Trochu. And still
another thing served to estrange them:
lie Temps was then publishing a series
of articles in which the author remod-
eled the military operations which had
taken place in the provinces. He in
dulged in wild flights of Imagination,
but Durand took them seriously and
predicted brilliant victories in the near
future. The doubling Victor would
venture timid objection. Then Du-
rand would become excited and angry.
and would not be appeased until the
clerk granted that each separate battle
was victory.
The presence of new guest tended
to complicate matters still more.
was surprised one evening to find my
place at Nine. Durand's right hand oc-
cupied by stranger swashbuck-
ling individual with bull-neck and a
very red face. He wore captains ep-
aulettes. his uniform looked as if he
might have found it in the property
room of some theater, his enormous
boots were mid-leg high, and alto
gether it was easy to see that he posed
as hero.
IN. Morin," said Durand, in intro
ducing us, Captain of the Mont
martre Zouaves of Death"
The Captain curled his moustachios
and scowled a salute.
Before the soup was over l recol-
iected who this NORM was. His ex-
PLOTS 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
it in place of safety until its owners
should take it away. Iwas wondering
how this iron-jawed braggart came to
share our meal, when Mime. 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 NORM. who happened to be pass
ing at the time, assisted her to rise,
and, as she vas somewhat faint and
nervous, had accompanied her home.
She could do no less than ask him in
to dinner. This explanation reas~
sured me; 1 hoped we should SEQ no
more Of him.