The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-06-03
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

ing depopulated. People ate anything
they could get.
NJ. Morisot, matchmaker by trade, was
walking early one bright January morning
down the boulevards, his hands in the
pockets of his overcoat, feeling hungry
and depressed, when he unexpectedly ran
against friend. He recognized M. Sau-
wage, an old-time chum of the riverside.
Every Sunday before the war Morisot
used to start at daybreak with his bamboo
fishing rod in his hand, his tin bait-and-
tackle box upon his back. He used to
take the train to Colonies and to walk
from there to the island of Maranthe. 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 NJ. Salvage, 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 lit
tie by little they became friends. Some
they launched out into conversation, but
they understood each other perfectly
without its aid for their tastes and ideas
were the same.
On spring morning in the bright sum
shine, when the light and delicate mist
lowered over the river, and these two mad
fishermen enjoyed foretaste OF real sum-
mer weather. Morisot would say to his
neighbor: "Heini not bad. eh2"
And Salvage would say Il know moth
ing to beat it"
This interchange of sentiments was quite
enough to engender mutual understanding
and esteem.
In autumn, toward evening, when the
setting sun redeemed the sky and cast
shadows of the fleeing clouds over the
water, when the river was decked in pur-
pie, when the whole horizon was lighted
up and the figures OF the two friends were
illuminated as with fire; when the russell
brown of the trees was lightly tinged with
gold, and the trees themselves shivered
with a wintry shake, NJ. Savage would
smile at NJ. Morisot and say: Better than
the boulevards, helm"
This morning. soon as they had recog-
nlI6u 6hCu OlnoIs bllcN cuOOh uduuo
warmly, quite overcome at meeting again
under such different circumstances.
Nj. Savage sighed and murmured, "a
nice state Of things"
NJ Morisot, gloomy and sad, answered,
"And what weather. Today is New Years
day." The sky. in fact, was clear, bright
and beautiful
They began to walk along, sorrowful
and pensive. Said Morisot, "And our fish
ing, Ell? What times we used to have"
Savage replied: when shall we have
them again?"
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; a soft breeze
famed their faces. NJ. Salvage, upon
whom the fresh air was beginning to take
effect, suddenly said
Suppose we were to go?"
"Go where?"
"Why, fishing"
"But where?"
''TO our island, OF course. The French
outposts are at Colonies. know Col.
Dumoulin. He will let us pass through
easily enough"
Morisot trembled with delight at the
very idea; "All right; I'm your man."
They separated to fetch their rods.
An hour afterward they were walking
| fast along the high road toward the town
commanded by Col Dumoulin. He smiled
at their request but granted it, and they
went on their way rejoicing in the posses
sion of the password.
Soon they had crossed the lines, passed
through deserted Colonies, and found
themselves in the vineyard leading down
TO the river. 1t was about IL o'clock.
On the other side of the village of Agen-
teuil seemed as il it were dead. The hills
OF Orgremont and Saumons commanded
the whole country round. The great plain
stretching out as far as Nanturne was
| empty as air. Nothing in sight but cherry
trees and stretches of gray soil.
Nj. Savage pointed with his finger to
the nights above and said: 1.-THE Prus-
slams are up there" and vague sense of
uneasiness seized upon the two friends.
The Prussians They had never set
eyes upon them, but for months past they
had felt their presence near, encircling
! their beloved Paris, running their beloved
France, pillaglng, massacring, Unsuitable,
| invincible, invisible. all powerful, and as
tneY thought on them sort OF supeTSti-
tiOus terror seemed to mingle with the
hate they bore toward their unknown con-
querors. Morisot murmured: Suppose
We were to meet them" and Savage re-
piled, with the instintive gallantry OF the
Partisan: 'Well, we would offer them
some OF our fish for supper"
All the same they hesitated before ven-
turing into the country, intimidated as
| they were by the all-pervading silence.
Eventually NJ. Savage plucked up cour-
age. Come along, let's make start; but
we must be cautious"
They went through the vineyard, bent
double. crawling along from bush to bush,
ears and eyes upon the alert.
Only one strip of ground lay between
them and the river. They began to run,
and when they reached the bank they
crouched down among the dry reeds for
shelter.
Morisot laid his ear to the ground TO
listen for the sound of footsteps, but he
could hear nothing. They were alone,
quite alone; gradually they felt treasured
and began 10 fish.
The deserted island of Maranthe hid
them from the opposite shore. The little
restaurant was closed, and looked as if it
had been neglected for years
Nj. Savage caught the first gudgeon.
NJ. Morisot the second. And every min
ute they pulled up their lines with little
silver object dangling and struggling on