New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-12-19
honor by something within him strong
er than his better self.

| One morning, not being able to stand
the moral Tor immoraD pressure any
longer, he entered shop and pur-
chased a dozen assorted LEGION rib
bons. Then, hurrying home, like
some culprit, he fastened the decora-
ton neatly but conspicuously to his
breast, put on his great-coat, but
toned it carefully over the garment
ornamented with the tell-tale bit of
1 red without quite knowing what he
was about, being in a mental condi-
/ ton somewhat resembling that of
] those who sec stars in the day time,
/ he climbed up into the box seat of an
omnibus and was in due time set down
at Auteuil.
There Exupere entered cafe and or
dered a, sbock. He seemed to be
sutfocatlng like man stricken with
apoplexy. In order to breathe more
/ freely he unbuttoned his top at, and
i before him in a. mirror he saw a man
on whose breast glistened something
like purple spark. He had surren-
dered himself to the guilty contempla-
ton OF this marvel, when he was
/ abruptly aroused by the voice of the
/ landlady:
Joseph, bring me the Illustrated
Journal on table No. 8; it is lying be-
fore the gentleman with the decora-
/ ton"
A cold perspiration suddenly broke
out on the forehead of the unfortu-
nate man, whose senses had moment
before been wrapped in delicious
revery; he hurriedly rebuttoned his
coat, threw a five franc piece on the
table and rushed from the room with
out Warrington his change. The shock
had been q terrible one.
That evening on returning home
Exupere was accosted by his concierge
who handed him an oficial-looking
document.
"a Garde Republican on horseback
just left that for monsieur"
He read the address, ssTo Monsieur
Gobelin, Rue della condamine, 1906"
and in one corner these printed words:
Bureau of the Grand Chancellor Of
the Legion Of Honor
Poor old Exupere's head swan, and
he felt as though he were about to
faint in the arms of the concierge.
He, however, managed to stumble up
to his apartments, rang, rushed past
his astonished servant and locked
himself into his own room.
'It's all over" he muttered. Il
have been discovered, and shall have
to 60 to prison! I am disgraced- ruin
ed! Oh, what a fate!'
Had the retired insurance agent been
the possessor of more hair his bris-
ling locks and the terror stricken as
pect of his countenance would have
exactly reproduced the head of Cores
tes pursued by the Furies." After
some time he nerved himself to the
opening OF the fatal missive It read
thus:
Ny DEAR FRIEND: Your very proper am
bition has been satisfied you have at last
received well merited reward! Ihave been
ordered by the secretary general to make
out your nomination for the legion of
honor. 1t is with the greatest satisfaction
| that | communicate this good news to an
old and dear comrade in arms Yours, -.
Of course, according to all precedent
the signature of the official was entire
| ~ illegible.
Exupere rubbed his forehead and ask
ed himself whether he was really in
sane. He earthly reread the letter,
tried to make out the name of the
writer, and swallowed at one gulp half
| the contents Of a carafe of>cold water.
By this operation he recovered some
thing OF his usual equanimity and clear
medicines. The communication, he
argued with himself, is either a stupid
joke or is really intended for some
namesake of mine who lives in this
same street. I will inquire into the
matter.
He started out at once, and his quest
was soon ended. At No. $50 he found
the mystic sign Furnished Rooms"
lis there any one named Gobelin
here?" he asked at the office and in re-
ceiving a reply in the affirmative he
climbed up to hefourth story. Attic
end OF a dingy corridor he found q
card nailed to q door and bearing the
| legend, "Albert Gobelin"
"Ah!'' said Exupere to himself, my
worthy cousin from Africa"
He knocked. Ayoung woman, with
regular features, mild-eyed and sad
looking, opened thee door. A small oil
lamp on a table lit up the features Of
a girl of seven or eight who was indus
triously working at her exercises. This
pretty, blonde child, suspending her
occupation for q moment, cast anx-
ious inquiring chances at the stranger.
La the shadow that covered the end
Of the room another pair Of eyes were
also watching Exupere. These latter,
glittering with the brilliancy that fever
insures, belonged to Albert Gobelin.
Exupere was deeply affected.
Monsieur" he said, handing him
the Chancellor's letter, this docu-
ment fell into my hands through an
error in the address. II think it
must be intended for you
The invalid unfolded the paper, and
the child brought the lamp.
s'It is from my friend Des Villers, no
doubt" he said. ''Read it, little
one"
The child read in her silvery tones
and schoolgirl manner. Her fathers
eyes filed with tears, the wife embrac-
ed her husband with nervous energy
and sobbed convulsively on his shout
der. The good Eyunere went too. and