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

th1 H3di VI ah~AhAtt1s
II was not SO easy n they had thought
at first. When Pierrei name was ut.
tered before Jocard hc made nm ugly
gesture; he liked him not. that was clear.
Parhleu, one Is free to like or dislike, as
IL suits him.
"Pierret was drone. said Jocard.
"No, decidedly he was unjust; and.
besides, what mattered it when the mar
vel of marvels was in question, 4 thing
that had no equal, in the village at all
events: neither ut the Maire's, the tax
collectors nor at the chateau itself.
Why not look at itg Looking costs moth
ing"
Indeed. and not even the chateau had
anything like IT,. Joeard listened.
And what an efFcet II would have in
the dining room Of Jocards house facing
the great polished sideboard!''
After all he did need cIock-just ~
well buy something good. something ele-
giant. as To buy trash. but. then, a hun
ecus-pshawl he was not the man to
mind a hundred ecus, more or less
Jocard, while talking, was drinking
a good deal aud getting excited. saying
first yes and then no, and swearing
Justify: now willing 10 stroll up TO the
shop and view the Comtoise and then
Withdrawing.
bah" cried a companion presently,
losing patience. zone would think YOU
were afraid of going to Pierrets shop"
Afraid: POUNDS, it's little care for
Pierret Come at once; I'm ready.
The little clockmaker was sitting at
his table, his lens in his eye. busy with Il
watch that he delicateiy touched with
his pointed steel He did not look up
nor into the street-no, indeed, not he;
all the same he saw distinctly the ap-
preaching group and saw IL with satis-
faction, for something like smile fitted
across his lips. lie hoped to make the
sale. and IL is always agreeable TO make
money. as you know. Jocard entered.
lis that IL" said he disdainfully. True,
he was not saying what he thought, for
he was really delighted. though he must
never show it-he would be cheated.
Pierret had risen politely, but Jocard's
back was towards him-through haugh-
tiness, of course.
Briefly he. Jocard. would give $50
francs for il Immediately. cash down,
and yet upon u condition, namely, that
''the Comtoisse should lie placed that
very night upon his dining room wall
he knew the house-the big house oppo-
sise the church"
EVERY one knows the Jocard house."
replied Pierret; within an hour the
Comtoisse shall be there"
And tonight, friends" continued Jo-
card. not including Pierrct, of course.
"weill have bowl of white wine, first
quality. and we'll drink to the Comtoise."
IAN right-what hour mine"
Jocard threw hundred franc note on
the counter to bind the bargain and left
the shop. followed by his friends.
Again alone Pierret struck q match
and carefully burned the note To ashes.
This strange act completed, he brought
from the rear OF the shop a small box ON
which something was written in English.
and going to the ConItoise he opened the
case-to fla the.pendulum, doubtless.
II is in its place, we'll set In its polished
box. The pendulum swings with slow,
soft tiek-tack. Truly it has a splendid
effect between the shining platters and
the pink tinted engrayings.
Round the table. covered with long
necked bottles, all sit drinking, laughing
and singing. Beveley, the Dig servant
girl. is conyulsed with glee. All, but the
house won't be SO gay when the new
madame arrives. No matter; an end
must come some time: besides, when q
man has means, as monsieur has, he may
well afford the luxury OF having wife
all 10 himselfl
Eleven O'Clock! The Comtoise strike
1t. Everybody Is silent. Joeard happy.
What voicei Like song-one could
listen TO it all night long. Faith, they
shall wait until midnight, when the
clock strikes its full. No more wine;
punch shall take its place, and we'll
light 1t and put out the lamps. Such
fun as they'll have when 12 O'Clock
chimes with the cooling of tho Comtoise!
They are half drunk already-heat is
suffocating-opcn the window for airl
Besides, tbs we'll that every one should
know that at Jocard's house they never
worryi
Attention, friendsl Five minutes 20
IL! One--two-light the punchl The
flame springs from the saladier; the
spoon plays in the flood that flashes and
leaps in yellow and blue tongues: the
sugar bubbles. Put out the lamp. boys.
put out the lamp! The congested faces
take on u purple hue.
POUNDS. but tbs funi Histi Silence!
the Comtoise sounds!
Sounds, did ! say2 that beautiful Conn
toisel No, it speaks-its calls aloud
upon the name of i;s purchaser.
Jacques Jocardi Jacques Jocard,
sayf'
"Heyi Who calls hima Whose that
oldisll. cracked voicel Whence does 1t
Gomez The CELLAR The voice answers
with another wall.
jacques Jocardl Jacques Jocard.
Confess, confess, sayl'
Confess? Bahi What nonsense or
what farce Is thisl And who Is this
talking. Jocard? Why do you pale SO,
man2 And what IL the voice saying
nowT''
Confess. Jocardl Thou art muir
derer, Jocardi Confess, confess, I sayg'
"a murderer? No, 'tis falsel Who
says itg He lics-I swcar itI"
"a murderer, Jocard. o murderer who
killed the old Picrret--a murderer. and
you know itl'
Then there were cries. biccoughs and
groans Of terror. jocard Leaps 70 lis
fact his eyes stafiicv. hia hands tearir,r