The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-07-22
FAITHFULUNTO DEATH

l. al Ill UL UI LIZ DLal l. Ii
Paris was blockaded-famish
the point of death. Even the spar
rows on the housetops were few and
far between, and the very sewers were
in danger of becoming depopulated.
People ate anything they could get.
M. Morisot, matchmaker by trade,
was walking early one bright January
morning down the boulvevards, his
hands in the pockets of his overcoat,
feeling hungry and depressed, when
he unexpectedly ran against friend.
He recognized M. Savage, an old
time chum of the riverside.
Every Sunday before the war Morisot
used to start at day break with his bam-
boo fishing rod in his hand, his tin
bait and tackle-box upon his back. He
used to take the train to Colombes and
walk from there to the island of Mar
anthe. No sooner had he arrived at
the river than he used to begin to fish
and continue fishing until evening.
Here every Sunday he used to meet M.
Savage, a linen-draper from Paris,
but stout and jovial withal, as keen a
fisherman moreover as he was himself.
Often they would sit side by side.
their feet dangling over the water for
half day at time, and say scarcely
word yet little by little they became
friends. Sometimes they never spoke
at all. Occasionally they launched
out into conversation, but they under
stood each other perfectly without its
aid, for their tastes and ideas were the
same.
On a spring morning in the bright
sunshine, when the light and delicate
mist lowered over the river, and these
two mad fisherman enjoyed a fore
taste of real summer weather. Morisot
would say to his neighbor: Helm! not
bad, ehP''
And Savage would reply: II know
nothing to beat it."
This Interchange of sentiments was
quite enough to engender mutual un-
derstanding and esteem.
In autumn, toward evening, when
the setting sun reddened the sky and
cast shadows of the fieeting clouds
over the water; when the river was
decked in purple; when the whole
horizon was lighted up and the figures
of the two friends were illuminated as
with fire; when the russell brown of
tho treee v~ao II Sntly tfnSeu WIFI gO1u,
and the trees themselves shivered with
a wintry shake. M. Savage would
smile at NJ. Morisot and say: what
sight, ehP"
And M. Morisot, without even rails
ing his eyes from his float, would an
swer: Better than the boulevards,
hein!"
This morning, as soon as they had
recognized each other. they shook
hands warmly, quite overcome at meet
ing again under such different circum-
stances.
NJ. Salvage sighed and murmured:
"a nice state of things"
NJ Morisot, gloomy and sad, an
| swered: "And what weather! Today
is New Years day" The sky, in fact,
| was clear, bright, and beautiful.
They began to walk along, sorrow
full and pensive. Said Morisot: land
our fishing, eh? What times we used
to have!"
Savage replied: when shall we
have them againP"
They went into little cafe and had
glass of absinthe, and then started
again on their walk.
They stopped at another cafe for
another glass. When they came out
again they were slightly dazed. like
people who had tasted long and then
partaken too freely.
1t was lovely weather; soft breeze
famed their faces. M. Savage, upon
whom the fresh air was beginning to
take effect, suddenly said:
Suppose we were to gor'
go whereP"
''Why. tishingw
''But where?"
ITO our island, of course. The
French outposts are at Colombes.
know Col. Dumoulin; he will let u:
pass through easily enough"
Morisot trembled with delight at the
very idea. ':All right, In your man.
They separated to fetch their rods.
An hour afterward they were walk
} ing fast along the highroad toward the
town commanded by Col. Dumoulin
He smiled at their request, but grant
, ed it, and they went on their way re
joicing in the possession Of the pass
word.
Soon they had crossed the lines
passed through deserted Colombes, an,
found themselves in the vineyard lead
g. ing down to the river. 1t was abou
IL o'clock.
On the other side the village of Agen
teuil seemed as is if it were dead. Th
|. hills of Orgrement and Saumons CON
manded the whole country round. Th
great plain stretching out as far a
Narterne was empty as air. Nothln
in sight but cherry trees and stretche
of gray soil.
D NJ. Savage pointed with his finge
y to the heights above and said: 9Th
Prussians are up there" and vagu
sense of uneasiness seized upon I'll
two friends.
}, The Prussians! They had never y,
set eyes upon them, but for montl
past they had felt their presence nea
encircling their beloved Paris, rulnlr
their beloved France, pillaging. ma
!. sacreing, Unsuitable, invincible, lnVls
I BILE, all-powerful, and as they though
u on them sort of superstitious terri
seemed to mingle with the hate thu
bore their unknown conquerors. Mo
isot murmured: Suppose we were
meet themP" and Savage replied WI
the instructive gallantry OF the Parlsla
= ''Well, we would offer them some
our fish for supper"
1. All the same they hesitated befo
yenturing into the country, intimldat
), as they were by the all-pervadlng
lence.
Eventually NJ. Savage picked
courage: Come along; let's make
40 START. But we must be cautious"
They went through the vinegar
bent double, crawling along fre
bush to bush, ears and eyes upon t
alert.
Only one strip of ground lay betwe
them and the river. They began
. run, and when they reached the ba
they crouched down among the
reeds for shelter.
Mor;sot Iaid his oar tn the Ground