Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1891-06-20
AN ACCUSING VOICE.

II was indeed n beauty. with its box of
carved wood, its broad face with enam-
eled horn figures. its heavy pendulum of
polished brass, shiny as gold. that went
to and fro behind "A round disk of glass.
Every one who saw it through Pierret
the clockmaker's window stopped in
amazement. and there was constantly a
crowd of admirers before the door.
Pierrct, the elockmaker. was still q
young man-about thirty, perhaps-but
he was always sad and taciturn. for he
had bad "A great sorrow in his life.
Seven years before, while he was in the
army. his father had been murdered in
that very shop which now he occupied.
He had heard of the horrible catastrophe
at his regiments quarters, and returned
at once.
Who was the murderer? Upon whom
could he avenge the poor old man who
had never done harm to any one, and
and had always treated him with so
much love and gentleness? The legal in
quest had been fruitless also. although
the murderer had robbed as well and
stolen the 10000 francs that the father
had put aside, sou by sou, for his son.
All researches, however, had been i'm
vain. Pierrct had finished his time in
the army; then, free from the service,
had come back % setSe in the murdered
mans house, having TO all appearances
conquered his feelings and chased away
worry by hard work
II was evident, though, that sorrow
was still gnawing him, for YOU could
see him after dark roaming about
the village as if hunting for some one,
and this some one, of course, was the
murderer, too well hidden To be discov-
ered-as yet.
And thus time passed-weeks, months
and years No one thought of it any
more excep; the orphan and that other.
the still unknown, who naturally enough.
would be unable To forget.
Very recently Pierrct. who was great
newspaper reader, had gone to Paris and
stayed there for several days. ION bust
ness" he said. and he had brought with
him the Comtoise. that gem of art in his
window. before which the village stood
In envy and admiration.
Country people are fond of heavy,
solid aud rich furniture. and. in fact, tho
case of the clock was of more than com
mon size and beauty.
'And how much could that marvel
have cost"
Come in, gentlemen" said Pierret.
politely, to the people who crowded in
front of his shop; come in and III tell
you"
And then there were exclamations and
praises without end.
"But its costg' Dame, rather dearr'
"But the figure?' "a hundred ecus. y
AT this there was a cry of disappoint-
ment. though truly the Comtoise was
worth it, being not only beautiful but, as
Pierret declared. unique and rare. "Still
o hundred ecus, and for cloekl Did II
striker ''Strikel Undoubtedly; listenr'
and the clockmaker touched the bell,
that sounded with a clear, sonorous and
silvery ring.
Nevertheless. nobody will buy II
here" said Pierret regretfully; I'm
much afraid I've made a blunder"
Nobody! Well, that depends, Pierret
We are not rich enough. it's true, but
somebody is here who is, il it suits him
to do it,
Really. whoy' "Jocard. of course
tho handsome Jocard-who Is about to
bemarried aud doesn't care for expense. :
''lf you would be kind enough to tel
him word about it
Willingly, and he'll buy II II we touch
his pride"
Thanks, truly-youn render me O
great service"
jacques Jocard, despite his title Of the
"handsonie Jocard." was but little liked
In tho village. and for several reasons.
First, he had made his fortune toe
rapidly. There had fallen to him from
heaven and through the agency Of o no.
tary from eomewhere ON the other aide
OF the mountains ''an inheritance" Jo-
card said. that had Immediately put him
at his ease, and he had increased 1t by
speculation. in which there was always
some one cheated-though never the in.
stigator.
He had had luck, 90 to say. and was
too proud of 1t. He looked down on
small people. showed of his wealth, and
though lavish with ir when personally
Al 4uC3AAblt WIS GNkuaAA9 ntAIHy AAA&A ~
In his dealings with others. Still, though
Jocard talked loud. gave himself airs u
tlle street and was a hard drinker. hs
had his coursiers, and when they wanted
70 unite tho strings OF his purse Tor 0
bowl Of punch or q bottle Of champagne,
they knew how to manage him.
"Nevcr was one like hint He wa
king OF tho country" they said. Ii
nodded his head. well pleased with thess
cuIogies. and allowed himSeif to 10 taken
Ia. Why, then. should they not ones
more mako use of his vanity TO extract
from him O GOOD deod7 Pierret was Q
worthy man. though Jocard would mover
have given him even his watch TO mend
lie did not deign TO look at his shop. HI
despised him. In fact. because fortunes
wheel had turned. and he. formerly
~ poor as o church mouse, was nov
rieh. whilst PierTot. dispossessed o.
everything by . crime, was reduced 4