Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1891-11-06
CONSTANCE DUFOUR.


|
Somewhere-a little below the mo.
mentOus line dividing north from south
there lies a city, and to it belongs a
quaint old fort, which intcrposes it.
self between some of the streets and the
river.
A small garrison is still kept there, but
it can no longer afford protection to the
city, and there is some talk of turning the
place into a public park. |, at least, shall
she'd tears when that happens, for 1t is a
dear old place, with its piles of cannon
balls and dismounted guns, its deep
/ slopes of grass grown earthworks, Its
sunshine and shadow. 1t in nowlse brings
thoughts Of war to mind, but only ways
of pleasantness and peace
You enter through a deep stone arch,
! leaving the dusty, noisy street behind you,
and there Is a sentry pacing slowly back
and forth, who oalutes, but makes no at.
tempt to stop your progress. On the other
side of the arch, stretching out before you,
is a white shell road leading to the bar
"a, ks and officers quarters; on either sid
! level sweeps of green and drill grounds;
and then, looking away to the left, is the
river sparkling in the sunshine as 1t
/ broadens ont to meet the day.
You may walk nj! around the fort ON
! the "Sea wall, as ii liz called and listen
/ to the tapping and washing of the water
against the stones.
! At one place is little wharf with a
rickety ladder, and boat continually
! humping against the posts.
Back of the officers cottages are the
stable and i'm empty field, and fur
/ Their on a graveyard - the last resting
( place of friendless soldiers who have died
at the fort.
The whole place exercised a great charm,
over me, and whenever / had day to
spare | would go there to sketch and
dream. 1t was thus that | came to know
the sergeant's daughter. The first time
that | saw her was ON breezy after.
noon in early spring. Sac was leaning
on cannon, her figure darkIy outlined
/ against the blue water beyond and her
| hand raised above her head waving Il
blue handkerchief in farewell TO boat
, full of sailors who were rowing down the
river There was an officer in the stern,
who stood up and raised his hat tC
| her. Instantly the ores went up in salute,
their wet blades flashing liz the sun.
light.
The whole made such a pretty picture
| that wanted to see the chief figure in il
/ closer, ana presently when the boat was
out of sight-she came toward me.
! She had black hair, gray eyes, that looked
rather fearful just now, and sweet little
| mouth, without much character in
it. An extremely pretty face, wlstful IN
| CXDreSsiOn and of the Irish type.
/ II. ,,,gl
| from this we talked on until knew all her
| history.
Her name was Constance Dufour. Her
father was . sergeant very Old
now and soon 10 be retired. He was
! a FTenchman and her mother had been
| Irish.
My mother died so long ago | don t re.
member her" she SAID, "but father loved
me enough for two He's coming now,
she added, and ran to lead him to Inc with
much pride.
He was little old man, very gray, but
| still active in his motions, and every inch
a FTenchman and soldier. lie reminded
me of a drawing by Detaiile
Although his daughter was quite as tall
as himself he spoke of her as petite
c II, and while he talked he gave her
| hand little cares sing pats that spoke elo'
! quently Of his love for her.
| From that evening we three became
| great friends. Whenever | came to the
! front Con was watching for me, and of
we would 90 together TO paint and she
/ to lie on the grass watching; or else,
with her hands under her head, gazing up
/ into the blue sky-dreaming.
/ She was curious girl with little or no
education, and yet power of lmaglna-
/ ton that was astonishing. Nearly all her
! time was spent in a dream world Of her
own.
when was little she said, always
wanted TO be a princess, and even now
wien IN lonesome | tell my self long
stories about what III do when ] get my
kingdom.
But Con, - said. "a fairy story has .
| prince in 1t. Haven't you q one tCoH'
( Indeed. madam have, v she said quite
simply, "ou!y he's gone away, and it II be
SIX months before see him again. He
went off In the boat that afternoon ] first
saw you. He's lieutenant on a an.of-
war, and when he comes back we're gong
to be married.
Fortunately .he was looking away and
did not see the look Of quick surprise ]
gave her.
A lieutenant in tie navy, no doubt, Of
good iamliy, and sergeant's daughter
poor ltte Con!
And hls namef ] asked.
Henry Warwick, madam. He came
mere just TO SEE the captain on business,
and since then he comes-for love Of me.
He is on shore luty now, for a year, and
after BIZ as seen his people beyond N ire
north. hes rcnliug hack 10 marry me. be
is such a handsome gentleman, and shali
he real prices. after all
She was 50 sure Of him. 80 happy. that J
bad not the heart to raise doubt.
soon found that the little odd sergeant
knew nothing Of this love affair, and I al