Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1886-04-17
A FAMILY BOMB-SHELL.
II Exploded and Destroyed a Cap
tain's Reputation.

l have been recently reminded Of an
episode of the siege Of Paris, which,
latter myself, reflects no small credit
on me- But be not alarmed. | shall
not lead you among the shot and shell
Of the ramparts. nor the dangers Of the
outposis. The incident l speak Of took
place in a quiet street, in the house of nv
old friend Durand, a wealthy manufac-
turer Of chemicals, the husband Of an
estimable lady, the father OF a charm
ing girl, a 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 a
proyident woman, had looked to the
condition OF her larder, and she had
laid in such a stock Of provisions that,
had the siege lasted three month,
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 a
cover was always laid for me at her
table, and who, during those times of
%priyation would not be ~enraptured at
sight Of a golden omelette, or some
genuine ]gruyere?
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 wa,
an excellent young fellow, dark and
slender, somewhat retiring, and appar.
emily very much in love with his en-
ployers daughter, Gertrude, who
seemed not insenSible to his attentions
Though not a word had been spoken on
the subject, the union of the Young
couple was tactly accepted by ali.
Unfortunately, the war prevented It's
accomplishment. Victor was a cor.
poral in the Paris militia, and per-
formed his duties with the same con-
sclentious care he exercised in all
thlngs; but he was not enthusiastic in
any thing except in bewailing this
eternal siege which had come between
him and his happiness. And his crit,
clsms ON the conductor of the opera
'ons were-perhaps eXcusably-some-
what bitter.
these criticisms never failed to ey-
tite Durand, who was a devoted adj
mirer of General Trochu. And still
another thing served to estrange them:
Le 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 a timid objection. Then Du-
rand would become excited and angry.
and would not be appeased until the
clerk granted that each separate battle
was a victory.
The presence of a new guest tended
TO complicate matters still more.
was surprised n evening to find my
place at Nine. Durand's right hand oc-
cupied by a stranger-a s~washbuck-
ling individual with a 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-lsg high, and alto.
gether 1t was easy to see that he posed
as a hero.
IN. Morin,' said Durand, in intro
ducing us, Captain Of the Mont
martre Iouaves of Death"
The Captain curled his moustachios
and scowled a salute.
Before the soup was over | recol-
lected who this NORM was. His ex-
ploits 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
1t in a place of safety until its owners
should take it away. was wondering
how this iron-jawed braggart came to
share our meal, when Nine. Dnrand
explained the matter to me, with con.
siderable show of emotion. While ont
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 was somewhat faint and
nervous, had accompanied her home,
She could do no less than ask him in
to dinner. This explanation reas.
sured me; | hoped we should see no
nor of him.
"The war; he said chad led him to
Paris, whose safety required his pres
ence." As to his exploits in the
suburbs, at the head of his "Zouaves OF
Death" they passed all belief. 1.-THE
enemy could do nothing! With nv
five thousand wolves at my back
made a breach" etc, etc.
Nine. Durand listened to this rhode.
montade with complaisance; Durand,
with undisguised admiration. As tc
the poor militiaman Victor. his exist.
ence seemed totally erased in the
presence of this great blusterer.
invented a pretext to leave imme
diately after the coffee, for ! was op
pressed by the Dragging Of the leather
lunged Gascon, whom | hoped never t.
see again. But in vain, for on the fol
lowing Sunday ! found HMM the sam
place, again on Friday, and finally
cover wa placed for him every evening
The entire Durand family seemed fas
cinated by him. NORM had captures
Nine. Durand by his joviality, an'
papa Durand by the interest he seemed
to take in the military operations con
Quoted In lie Temps. Victor lost NOR,
ground at every dinner.
The discredit into which he hat
fallen became plainly apparent aftel
the bloody eight OF IL Bourget, wher,
~ NM lad ksd dsns his duty nshl,