The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-10-17
CHAPTER XXXIII.
PAUL DARCANTEL.

We'll, Plron, rs l have told YOU after
the peace was made in 1915, I had com.
mand of brig. and took cruise on the
coast of Brazil. After that 1 was ap-
pointed toa thirty-six gun frigate-the old
Blhzer-and went for three years, to the
East Indies, and round home by the Puci-
tic. When we We're paid off made tour
in Europe with that boys father, Doctor
Darcantcl, and"
"Bnt you promised to tell me, Cleveland,
something about him"
Nothing easier; and if We have half an
hour before We get to Escondido l will
give YOU all know, in general way of
his history. Yes? Well, then. Darcantel
is descended from one of the Oldest and
best Creole families in our state Of Louis.
lima, and tho plantation of my family and
his father were contiguous TO each other on
the Mis- sissippi, some leagues I'D the coast
n bove New Orleans. We had the same tu-
tor when We We're children, and we grew up
FROM infancy to boyhood together. He
was passionate and ungovernable, even as
child; but as he was the heir to large
estate, and his father dead. his weak MOTH
er humored and allowed no one to curb
him. myself. che of numerous family,
was put in the navy. and went away on
cruise after cruise, and did not get home
again to the old plantation for full seven
years. l was mlu then, had seen some
active service, and held a command us
a lieutenant in the navy
In the meanwhile, Paul Darcantel, who
had taken, at the time l left, Il strong fancy
for medicine and surgery, had been sent to
France to begin his studies. How he an
piled himself wedo not know; but with
large letter of credit he spent n great deal
of nj
talents and wonderful skill in his profess
sion, he was yet untitled for close applisa-
ton. and plunged madly into the vortex of
dissipation around him. heard too-or.
at least, my brothers told me-that his ex-
tiarngances had seriously impaired his for
tune, md that his ducls had been SO num-
erons and desperate MS to make his nalae
dreaded even i'll Paris. On one occasion ut
cafe he had cut n bullying husssr's head
clean Oft with his own lbre for knocking
woman downs and in another duel, where
he had detected n French count cheating
him Mt cards, he shot his nose off for a bet.
With this uneviable reputation. md Mt the
urgent solicitations of his agent, after wears
of absence. he returned to his ancestral
home. We met as of oi,l-it was Paul and
Henry-and though still the same FESTIVE.
hot-headed spirit rs he had ever been, he
yet always listened patiently to what said
and l could. in manner. control him. He
paid very Ii tie attention to his property.
however and when he did 60 10 the city 10
consult with his factor or trustee, he got
icto some wild frolic, duel. and scr,pe, and
came lack WON out with fatigue and dissi-
pation. He was fine, stern looking
youth in those days, with great muscular
power, which, even with the endurance nut
~ on 1riN
not to be lessened."
AFTER one ofthcse visits 10 New Orleans.
where his long forbearing agents had nj
last awakened him TO q bitter sense of his
delinquencies, and when mortgage upon
mortgage were laid with all their shocking
truth before him. he returnedand came to
me. With all his vices aud faults he was
truthful and generous. He told me nil,
and how he would try AMI do better and
! soothe the declining years of his too indul-
gent mother"
Il always had great faith in the compan-
ion almost of my cradle, and I loved him, I
think, better than INV ov n brothers. Well,
he spread NIL his affairs before me, and in
my little den of MI clubhouse on the planta.
| ton weboth went Systematically over the
papers. Wewere two days and nights Mt
the business, and when, at last, I showed
him that he would still. with little econ
| omv, lavea fair income, and eventually,
perhaps, redeem his hereditary properly,
he burst out in wild yell of delight, and
Rugged me in his arm. When he hnd put
away the papers, l said
Paul You know am engaged to be
married. and have not seen my sweetheart
for two whole days; she has n sister, too,
prettier than my Fitine, whom you have
! never seen since we were boys together.
Come, will yen go with me? We can pull
ourselves across the river"
lie hesitated; and it would have be en-
better, perhaps. had he refused to accom-
pany me, for dreadful misery came of it,"
The commodore gave deep sigh, and
touched his horse with The spur.
II don't know, though. Piron; thu re is a
fate marked ont for us all, and We should
not exclaim against the decree Of Proyi
dence. Paul went with me across the
river. There. on the bank WAS. was little
bower ofan old French built stone house,
where dweltthe last Of French nobility
who dated back to lhe days of Chnrlemagne.
1t was nm impoverished family. consisting
Of q reckless brother and two sisters, who
with few acres OF sugar cane and some old,
faithful servants, managed TO make both
ends mset, and to support the establish
ment in certain air Of elegance and COM
fort, TO which they had been accustomed.
They were Of q proud and naughty race;
tho brother disdainful and imperious gen.
tleman. smarting aud broodng over the re-
verse of his family, and rarely visiting his
neighbors. His sisters-and they were
twins-were trustful, happy girls, and jos
epI,ine had been my childish love-"
Here Cleveland bent over his saddle bow,
aud If the quiet old horse he bestrode be-
lieved the large drops which fell upon his
sleek neck came from the clouds or droop-
ing foliage of the forest. that animal was
never more deceived in his qundruped life.