The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-11-28

the sky and a hollow report made the
window panes rattle. The officers started
and looked at each other uneasily. The
marshal alone had seen nothing, had
heard nothing Bent over the billiard
table he was combining magnificent
draw shot. Draw shots were his forte.
But another flash came, then another
The cannon reports multiplied. The
aids-de-camp ran to the windows. Were
the PruSsians going to attack?
well, let them attack" said the
marshal, chalking his cue. Your turn
to play, captain"
The staff futtered with admiration.
Turenne asleep upon gun carriage was
nothing compared to this marshal, stand
ing SO calmly before the billiard table at
the very moment of action. Meanwhile,
the uproar redoubled. With the cannon
shots were mingled the roar of the
mitrGilleuses and the roll of the platoon
musketry. a rcd smoke, black at the
edges, mounted from the extremity of
the grass piats. All the lower part of
the park was III flames. The frightened
peacocks and pheasants clamored in the
aviary. The Arab horses, seeming the
powder, pranced in the stables. The
headquarters commenced to grow ex-
cited. Dispatch followed dispatch. Cou-
riers arrived in hot haste. They de-
manded the marshal.
The marshal was inaccessible. Nothing
could prevent him from finishing the
game.
Your turn to play, captain"
But the captains mind was elsewhere.
So much for being young! He became
confused, forgot his caution, and made
two shots which nearly gave his oppo-
nent the game. This time the marshal
grew furious. Surprise and Indignation
burst forth on his manly visagc Just
at this moment Il horse tore into tho
court yard at Il terrible pace AID dropped
dead. And aid-t}c-camp covered with
mud forced the guard and leaped up tho
he shouted. lie met with rough rccep-
ton. Swelling with rage and purple i'll
the face the marshal appeared at the
window, lis billiard cue in his hand
wv hat is the matter" he said What
is ii? Is there no sentinel on duty?
But, marsha" -
VERY good - presently. Let them
await my orterS.
And lie closed the window violently.
Let them await his orders.
They were doing that, the poor men.
The wind drove the rain and shot full i'll
their faces. Whole battalions were ex~
terminated, while others stood useless,
their weapons in their hands, unable to
comprehend the reason of theirinactivity.
There was nothing for them to do. They
were avail ing orders. But as one can
die without orders, the men fell dead by
hundreds, behind the bushes, i'll the
bitches, before the silent grand chateau.
Even when fallen shot tore them still.
and from their gaping wounds the gen
erous blood Of France flowed noiselessly.
Above i'll the billiard hail things were
coming to terribly close quarters, also.
The marshal had resumed his advance,
but the captain defended himself like q
lion. Seventeen? eighteen. nineteen."
Scarcely had they time to mark the
points. The noise of the battle came
,'-''''''a,; The marshal had but, one ''; -
to make. Already bombs Lad reached
the park. One exploded over the pond.
The milTorlike surface was convulsed,
and terrified swan swan about in a
whirlpool Of bloody feathers. 1t was
the last shot.
Then TN oppressive silence. Nothing
but the rain falling upon the hedges, q
confused roll at the base Of the hillock
and on the soaked highways something
like the puttcr Of Il hurried flock Of
sheep. The army Was in full flight, but
the marshal had won his game.-Al-
phonse Daudet.