The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-08
lFrfassd 0y Special Arranoenens Copyrighted. lsssl
A DEADLY FEUD.
BIZ RUDOLPH LrSDAw.

years OLD ne nad stllI one great passion anu one
good friend He collected rare books, liked &c
be called bibliophile, and was in the fullest
sense of the word bbliomane. His friend in
years was Col Casimir Coste now honorably
retired on a pension.
NJ Tisson had been a widower for thirty years.
His two daughters. who, after the death of their
mother, had been brought mp by pious aunt,
In Mines, and knew less of their natural father
than of their father confessor, lived. since their
marriage, one in Mines the other in Lunei.
They respected, pious ladies' who per-
formed their duties as Christians, without COM
plant and without enthusiasm, religiously re-
Rarded the fourth commandment and at fire.
quent and regular intervals paid their father
formal visits But they never remained but a
few hours in Montpelier. and in no way dis
turbed the quiet routine of the Professors
house
The Colonel had remained a bachelor. Isdor
and Cassimr had been boysh playmares sixty
years before. They had gone to school together,
and had first been separated when the seven
teen .year-old Tisson was sent to an uncle in
while the young Coste prepared himself at St
Cyr for the military service
Then for thirty years they heard as good as
gotten. NJ. Tisson had in the meantime pub
lished several learned works. and had been ap-
pointed professor in his native city. Coste had
fought against the Bedouins in Algeria. won the
cross of the Legion of Honor and the rank of
lieutenan t-coonel, and finally. in consequence of
q severe wound which he received before Sebas-
tcpol had been compelled to retire from the
service. The tired, lonely man returned to his
old home, which he had not since boybood,
but which he had always looked back to with
tender longing. There he hoped to close a rest
less and adventurous life in peace.
During the long years Coste had been away
Montpelier had changed but little. The old sol
der found again in n narrow. ill-paved street
the house in which he had been born. By a
lucky chance he was able TO secure rooms in this
old home of his childhood He furnished them
in a simple manner and at once took his abode
there. Behind the house was large garden
which the Colonel, a privileged ledger, was
given the freedom Of
One evening in September, as the Colonel was
smoking his pipe in the garden, he heard some
one calling him in a way that almost borrifed
the old soldier, used to the ceremonies of military
':Casimir, Casimir!'
Forty years had passed since auv one had
called him by his Christian name During all
this time he had been to his superiors and his
men Lieutenant, Captain, Major Colonel
Coste. To his comrades he was simply Coste.
His father and mother had both long been dead,
that his name Casimir. but now
some one was calling him by that old childish
name:
slCasiniri Casimirr'
He turned around. At an open window in a
neighboring house stood elderly man, who
nodded and beckoned to him with friendly
emile. the old Colonel was dumfounded for a
moment Then he uttered a powerful oath, as
was his custom when greatly pleased. irritated,
astonished. or bored, and cried back: Mon
Deu! Isidor! Is it possible!'
Five minutes later they were In the garden
together. NJ Tisson related that he had
turned that very morning from vacation jour
rey and had just learned that the new ledger of
his neighbours was a son lof Montpelier. Colonel
Coste.
II at once asked myself whether it could be
nv old Casimir and should have come to you
this evening to decide the question If had not
seen you in the garden and recognized you at
Dnce You have not changed much, Casimir"
The old soldier laughed so loudly that the
in the tree overhead flew away In fright.
Now he cried, shat is a trtie exaggerated.
When helped you into the diligence, which
was to take you TO Toulouse, you were hand
upper lip and fine long black hair; now, my
old Isidor. you have a respectable paunch and a
gray head. And then l was a towhead with
clear eyes, strong teeth agile limbs and thick
hair Now can't read without glasses, / have
10 MUNICH like a rabbit because I've lost most of
my teeth, limp on my right leg, which the
Russians shot to pieces ana my head IS as bald
Is an old skull from one ear to the other. All!
Yes am about as much like the old Casimir as
the hen is like the egg. out OF which 1t crspt"
ibid 1 not know you at onceP answered the
Professor with friendly smile. II would have
selected you from a hundred thousand and said
Immediately, There is my old comrade, Casimir
1oste.'"
.sDid I have TO think long TO call You by
iameP cried the Colonel.
And the two old fellows pressed each others |
hands for the twentieth time and smiled with
ears in their eyes, and neither said word for |
many minutes. Then followed running fire of |
hort questions and rapid replies.
fare you marriedF
mo. And your
II have been widower for thirty years."
"ChildrenP
1.-TWO married daughters"
"Here in Montpelier
"No: in Lunel and Mines. Will you remain
n Montpelier"
ITO be sure. And you2"
II am professor of history in the University" |
And how ia il with your health9
'tGood. And yoursl"
"Some rheumatism; otherwise nothing to COM |
plain off,
And so on and so on. Finally the Professor |
aid:
1T is growing dark and cool. Come over with |
ne. Old Pascal shall get us q light supper. |
We will drink bottle of wine together, and |
ak everything over"
The Colonel was agreed. and the pair of |
riends sat in the coy little study of the Pro- |
essor until far into the night and related to |
hcn OLnSr tue SIM PIE StOrleS OIL tuelr IVeS
They met again the next day and ate together |
& the Professors. The Colonel thereupou in
1ited his friend to dine with him at the table |
Ihote where he had been accustomed to take his |
reals since his arrival at Montpelier.
II have never kept house in all my life." he !
aid. 'aud il is too late to begin now. In all the
,nrrisons where have been stationed have al |
ways lived in the inns, and am too old to learn |
low to get along with a COOK. My table is the |
able a. hote, and there must ask you to be my |
,uestH
1.-THE Professor would hear nothing of this.
eve eat together in order to be together" he |
aid, mot to show each other courtesy. When |
see strange people about l cannot talk com |
ortably with you. besides l will confess that |
lotel cooking 10 moro than my stomach |
tand. Now. Casimir, withdraw your invitation |
o please me- There 10 no Indebtedness. Dine |
With me to-day, and tomorrow, aud every day, |
u way could you give me greater pleasure, |
Tor 4 am all alone"
Tt was long before the old soldiers scruples t
we're overcome. but at last he gave in, and the
ext day again dined with Tsson. Two weeks
rant nv During this time tho Colonel and the