Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-11-12
CONSTANCE DUFOUR.

Somewhere-a little below the mo-
mentous line dividing north from south
there lies city, and to it belongs a
quaint old fort, which interposes 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 public park. l, at least, shall
shed tears when that happens, for it 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 peasantness 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 salutes, but makes no at
tempt to stop your progress. On the other
side of the arch, stretching out before you,
is white shell road leading to the bar
racks and officers quarters: ON either side
level sweeps of green and drill grounds
and then, looking away to the left, is the
river sparkling in the sunshine as it
broadens out to meet The day.
You may walk al! around the fort on
the 'sea WALL" as it is called, and listen
to the tapping and washing of tie water
against the stones.
At one place is a little wharf with a
rickety ladder, and a boat continually
humping against the posts.
Back of the officers cottages are the
stable and an empty field, and fur
ther 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 a day to
spare | would go there to sketch and
the sergeant's daughter The first time
that | Saw her was on a breezy after
noon in early spring. She was leaning
on a cannon, her figure darkly outlined
against the blue water beyond and her
hand raised above her head waving a
blue handkerchief in farewell to a boat
full of sailors who were rowing down the
river. There was an officer In the stern,
who stood up and raised his hat to
her. Instantly the ores went up in salute,
their wet blades flashing III the sun
light.
The whole made such a pretty picture
that | wanted to see the chief figure in it
closer, and presentIy-w 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, wistful In
expression and of the Irish type.
She asked to see what was painting and
from this we talked on until | knew all her
history.
Her name was Constance Dufour. Her
father was sergeant, very old
now and soon TO be retired. He was
a Frenchman 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 me with
much pride.
He was little old man, very gray, but
still active in his motions, and every inch
Frenchman and soldier. He reminded
me of drawing by Detaille.
Although his daughter was quite as tall
as himself, he spoke of her as petite
c, H." 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 eff
we would go 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 a curious girl with little or no
education, and yet power of magma
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
when I'm lonesome | tell my self long
stories about what I'll do when | get my
kingdom"
but Con-" said. "a fairy story has a
prince in it. Haven't you got one too?"
Indeed, madam have, she said quite
simply, 'on!y he's gone away, and it Il be
six months before | see him again. He
went off in the boat that afternoon | first
saw you. He's a lieutenant on man-o Of
war, and when he comes back we're goln @
to be married."
Fortunately she was looking away and
did not see the look of quick surprise |
gave her.
A lieutenant in the navy, no doubt, of
good family, and a sergeants daughter
poor little Conf
And his name?" | 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 duty now, for year, and
after he has seen his people, beyond in the
north. he's coming back to marry me. He
is such a handsome gentleman, and shall
be real princess, after all
She was so sure of him, so happy, that |
had not the heart to raise a doubt.
soon found that the little old sergeant
knew nothing of this love affair. and t, at
there was also another element IN the little
romance.
1t seemed that Cons gray eyes had been
working havoc with the affections of a
certain young ship carpenter who worked
in yard below the fort. am not certain,
but think his name was Jack.
The sergeant evidently favored his at
tentions, tor on several occasions he brought
Jack up with him and requested Con TO
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