Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-07-25
THE PRODIGAL'S RETURN

on the sofa, pulled off his gloves, and ex-
amiDed some papers which lay on the
table. These were tradesmep's bills and
dunnlng letters. bitter smile played
about his lips as he murmured:
'When the stag is at bay all the dogs
rush upon him. It is the way of the
world"
He pulled the bell-rope impatiently.
The summons was answered by white
haired servant, whose face presented the
impressive, almost enigmetical gravity
peculiar to domestics employed in old
families.
"Pierre," said the baron, shave you been
to see M. Aicide Dantier?"
eyes, monsieur. He said that it was jim
possible for him to come, ss he is to
start on a journey this evening"
Sand M. Deslogesf"
''He said that he was short of money
and that he regretted much that he was
unable to oblige you"
"And Comte d. AutrinS He could hard
Iy offer such an excuse
81 was told that he was away from
home"
"Tney are all alike. One has plenty of
friends in prosperity, solitude in adver-
sity. Did the tradesmen's replies vary as
muchf"
mo, MONSIEUR; they were unanimous in
declaring that they could not wait"
"But you told them that they would be
paid In fullY"
81 have carried out your instructions,
monsieur"
"That is well. they shall be paid; not
one of them shall lose a cent"
AS his master ceased speaking to him
Pierre retired.
The baron, left to himself, again ran
over the papers which lay before him.
Besides the bills there were memoranda
of mortgages and other business docu-
mepts of different kinds which testified
with brutal eloquence TO his irrertievable
ruin.
The baron was % years of age and three
years had elapsed since he had received
his peternal nheritance-years of fool
ish dissipation, during which he had
spent money reoklessly, as though pos
sessed of an inexhgustible purse. Young,
handsome. the bearer of name we'll
known among the noble families of
France, he had friends without mum Der
who sought his compsnionsh' p in their
pleasures, and now he was brought face
to face with the somber reality and knew
that when his debts were paid he would
be as poor as Job.
In answer to the second summons
Pierre presented himself before his mas
ter.
"Pierre," said Paul de Brantel, "you
know my situation!"
Eyes, monsieur, you are ruined. 1t
was, unhappily, easy to see that such
would be the end"
IF you foresaw it, why did you make
no effort to oppose my folliesf"
"At my first suggestion you gave me to
understand that it was your affair. If
had insisted you wonld have sent me
away. l gave your father a solemn
promise never to leave you; have kept
it,"
The barou knew that he had only him
self TO blame for the position in which he
found himself. At last he said:
81 was ignorant of business matters as
child. When / needed money it was
you / iptrusted to procure it for me
Why have you, who had the experience
which / lacked, accepted the usurious
conditions which have been imposed on
oneP"
81 knew, indeed, that the conditions
were exorbitant, but l also knew that
young noblemen who were not willing &c
regulate their wants according TO their
resources are forced to submit to the
terms of the usurers. 1t was necessary
for you to have money at any cost;
procured it for you"
"And YOU have delivered me into the
clutches of these pitiIess Snylocks simply
because you did not wish TO be separated
from mef"
eyes, monsieur"
"And has not your intelligence seer
that ruined master is not able to keep
servantf"
"That view of the case may apply t.
others, not to you and me. l am bounc
by the promise made 10 your father"
81 see that you are obstinate and tina
you have ready answer for all my ques-
lions. There is, however, one thing o
which you have not thought-the posi-
bility of my taking fancy TO put bul-
let into my brsin."
81 have never feared that extremity"
''You probably think I have not tn
courage to do It,"
"On the contrary, have thought tina
if You were tempted to commit such
cowardly act all that would be necessar
look upon these two portraits"
Pierre pointed to two pictures whicl
hung above the msntlep'ece. One rep
resented the baron's father dressed il
the uniform of colonel, his face wear
ing the calm and virile expression of
man who knew no fear. The other wa
the image of awoman whose features re
fected that serenity of soul and tina
goodness of heart which made all WIN
knaw her love and admire her.
The young man stood spellbound be
fore the two pictures. Deep emotio
showed itself in his eyes.
During the last war;" said the oil
servant, II stood near your father vine
he was struck by a piece of burstln
shell. he suffered the pains Of martyr
dom, aud yet the result Of the battle OF
cupled his thoughts more than his wounC
A fugitive passed near us, and he at one
became anxious to know how the battl
was going. When ne learned that on
men, overpowered by plumbers, wer
Welding, an angry light came into hi
eyes. He compelled me to help hiI
mount his horse, and barely able TO kee
his seat, he rode into the midst of til
fray. His regiment, seeing their leade
wounded and presenting the image {
death, took courage and routed th
enemy. But the colonel was not able I
witness the end of the battle; he fe
falntlng into my arms, and for mont
lay on bis bed between life and deaf
Monsieur. you being the son of such
father will not kill yourself"
After moments silence Pierre conti
ued:
Il have seen your mother lying on tl
bed which she did not leave till She we,
to the graveyard. disease, for wkis