The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-08-01
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH.

Paris was blockaded-fam
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 boulevards, his
hands in the pockets of his overcoat,
feeling hungry and depressed,
when he unexpectedly ran against a
friend. He recognized Nj. Savage,
an old-time chum Of the riverside.
Every Sunday before the war Nor
isot 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 walk from there to the
island OF Maranthe. No sooner had
he arrived OF the river than he used
to begin to fish and continue fishing
until evening. Here every Sunday he
used to meet M. Savage, linen
draper from Paris, but stout and
jovial withal, as keen n fisherman
moreover as he was himself.
Often they would sit side by side,
their feet dangling over the water for
hall n day at a time, and say scarce
ly q word, yet little by little they be-
came friends. Sometimes they never
spoke at ALL Occasionally they
launched out into conversation, but
they understood each other perfectly
without its aid, for their tastes and
ideas were the same.
On II spring morning in the bright
sunshine, when the light and delicate
mist lowered over the river, and
these two mad fishermen enjoyed q
foretaste of real summer weather,
Morisot would say to his neighbor:
"Hein! not bad, chr"
And Salvage would reply: ~ know
nothing to beat it."
This interchange Of sentiments was
quite enough to engender mutual
understanding and esteem.
setting sun Redeemed the sky and cast
shadows OF the fleeting 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 the trees
was lightly tinted with gold, and the
trees themselves shivered with n wintry
shake, M. Savage would smile ut NJ.
Morisot and say:
"What a sight, eh?"
And M. Morisot, without even rails
ing his eyes from his float, would an
swer: "Better than the boulevards,
heinz
This morning, as soon as they had
recognized each other, they shook
hands warmly, quite overcome at
meeting again under such different cir
cumstances.
M. Savage sighed and murmured:
"A nice state OF things"
M. 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: "And
our fishing, ell? What times we used
to havel"
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; soft breeze
famed their faces. M. Salvage, upon
whom the fresh air was beginning to
take effect, suddenly said:
Suppose we were to gol'
&c" go whsres' 1,e99
"Why, fishlng!"
'But where?"
"To our island, OF course. The
French outposts are Mt Colombes. /
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 rod.
An hour afterward they were walk
ing fast along the highroad toward
the town commanded. by Col. Dumou-
lin. He~smiled mt their request, but
granted it, and they went on their
way rejoicing in the possession OF the
password.
Soon they had crossed the lines,
passed through deserted Colombes,
and found themselves in the vineyard
leading down to the river. 1t was
about IL o'clock.
On the other side the village of Agen-
teuil seemed as II it we're dead. The
hills of Orgremont and Saumons com
manded the whole country round.
The great plain stretching out as far
as Nanterne was empty as air. Moth
ing in sight but cherry trees and
stretches Of gray soil.