The Forrest City times., 1891-07-03
Suddenly . cannon

their colors. Suddenly . cannon flash shot across the sky and 6 hol- low report made the window panes rattle. The officers started and look ed at each other uneasily. The mar shal alone had seen nothing, had heard nothing Bent over the bil- Hard table he was combing magnifi- cent draw shot. Draw shots were his forte.
 But another flash came, then ap- other. The cannon reports multi piled. 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 fluttered with admiration. Iurenne asleep upon a gun carriage was nothing compared to this mar shal, standing so calmly before the billiard table at the very moment of action. Meanwhile, the uproar re- doubled With the cannon shots were mingled the roar of the mitraileuses and the roll of the platoon musketry. A red smoke, black at the StSSS' 'iIphhltu OUl tltC CAtIclIilIl Ut the grass plats. All the lower part of the park was in flames. The frighten- ed peacocks and pheasants clamored in the aviary. The Arab horses. scent ing the powder, pranced in the stables. The headquarters commenced to grow excited. Dispatch followed dis patch. Couriers arrived in hot haste They demanded the marshal
 The marshal was inaccessible. Noth- ing could prevent him from finishing the game.
 "iour turn to play, captain"
 But the captains mind was else where. So much for being young! He became eonfu ed, forgot his caution, and made two shots which nearly gave his opponent the game. This time the marshal grew furious. Surprise and indignation burst forth on his manly visage. Just at this moment a horse tore into the court yard at terrible pace and dropped dead. And aid-de-camp covered with mud forced the guard and leaped up the steps at a bound Marshall Marshall" he shouted. He met with a rough reception. Swelling with rage and purple in the face the marshal ap- peared at the window, his billiard cue in his hand
 What Is the matter?" he said What is 1t? Is there no sentinel on dutv?"
 But, marshall"
 Very good-presently. Let them await my ordersp'
 And he closed the window violently
 Let them await his orders.
 They were doing that, the poor men The wind drove the rain and shot full in their faces. Whole battalions were exterminated, while others stood use less, their weapons in their hands, un- able to comprehend the reason of their inactivity There was nothing for them to do. They were awaiting orders, But as one can die without orders, the men fell dead by hundreds, behind the bushes, in the ditches. be- fore the silent grand chateau. Even when fallen shot tore them still, and from their gaping wounds the generous blood of France flowed noiselessly.
 Above in the billiard hall things were coming to terribly close quarters, al- so. The marshal had resumed his ad- vance, but the captain defended him. self like n lion. "Seventeen2 eighteen! nineteenl" Scarcely had they time to mark the points. The noise of the battle came nearer The marshal had but one more to make. Already bombs have reached the park One exploded over the pond. The mirror like surface was convulsed. and a ter ritied swan swan about m whirl- pool of bloody feathers. It-was the last shot.
 Then an oppressive silence. Nothing but the rain falling upon the hedges, confused roll at the base of the hil- lock and on the soaked highways something like the batter of a hurried flock of sheep. The army was in full flight, but the marshal had won his game.-Alphonse Daudet.