Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-06-23

was only out of regard for his entertain
ers, but he made him understand it, With
what noble in llgnatioE he demonstrated
that, If thn E far+S P -dus had been
/, til. -. thu fight would hay had another
T. nit. Iheroupon, * l'ed, he sketched a
y of sort'- oy thr ne'Ents of Montmor-
e, Carmelles. WITH The ps->age of the
! Disc, marching on Rouen, and then ar
irving triumphantly at Havre, which
moved Dutailly to enthusiasm; while poor
Anatole, humilis ted, al d suffering greatly
| from his still open wound, received no at
tention from any one but Gertrude and
myself.
! On the next day he mad fever aud kept
| mis- bed, and for some weeks was absent
from our meals. The captain quickly es-
tabiished his pretensions to the hand of
Gertrude and her parents did not discour-
age MIN. The day on which Anatole
/ returned TO US convalescent, but thinner
than ever, it seemed to NE that Mile.
Gertrude 5 eyes were red, and she had on
that day quarreled with her mother, who
was more infatuated than ever with
Robillard. l thought it time to interfere
in behalf Of the poor children This day
was the last Sunday Of the year and con-
seqIently we spoke of the new year,
saying that we ought TO have d family
festival.
Certainly, Nine. Dutaily," cried the
captain. Il must prepare a surprise for
your gift.
That gave me an idea for mine.
On New Years dav Dutailly welcomed
us very cordially. The strategist of the
| Temps was to soundly beat Prince Charles
in the environs OF Coreaux, after having
drawn him there by simulated retreat,
which was the finest deed of arms OF
modern times. Dutailly told US this good
news for our gift. Anatole prese nted d
rabbit he had caught in net, in the de
vastated Isle of St. Denis. pet rabbit
which had returned to its wild state. As
for the captain, he gave NJ dame Dutailly
large bag of marrons glaces in Ger
man helmet.
Dear madame" he said smiling. Il
would have liked 10 offer you the mead of
the owner of this helmet"
What" cried Madame Datailly, filed
with admiration, "have you killed him -
ITO offer you this box of bonbons. May
| | say it is not in the power of every one
| will relate the adventure, as you think so
veil of the actor.
He had watched surprised and frightened
the wearer of the hemlet, a DESERVING senti-
mel, while hiding in cask, and in hand
| to-hand fight had strangled him in order
| cot to attract the notice of the enemy by
| firing his revolver. Oh, what miserable
appearance this rabbit caught In net,
also strangled, made by the side of this
glorious trophy!
GAS for me, said I, II cannot rival the
captain with so brave gift, yet | Ia also
my little surprise. But 1t has not yet ar
rived; We will dine without it."
We sat down at the table, and the repast
was very gay. They had killed pig for
| the occasion, and the black pudding was a
| great success. We were having the coffee
and had lighted our cigars when the artii-
| lerymen placed my gift in the dra ing
! room.
We passed into the room where the OBJ
| ject lay on table, wrapped in frosted
paper tied with a blue ribbon.
! "What can that be?" said Madame Do
tally.
DO not open it, dear madame; it is a
she'll
GA shell?'
"Dutailiy has often expressed lis de-
sire to have shell, a genuine one that
had been used, and my friend Roland,
commander of a battery at my re-
quest, sent me enc from the plateau
q AKRON which faited to explode in fall
ing.
While speaking united the blue ribbon
and tore Oft the paper. The shell appeared,
black, sinister, menacing.
"Z1unds!' said DutaiIly. "You delight
me. | will hang it In my cabinet
But said Nine. Dutally, anxiously,
eff 1T has not exploded"
Don't be nervous; it was agreed that
Roland should send noe one unloaded and
empty. See his letter.
| opened letter pasted on the side of
the shell and prepared to read it aloud. but
at the first line my countenance expressed
surprise, then anxiety, for every one ex-
| claimed:
What is the matter?''
"Alas," | said, listen and | will read
it:
"'Dear Friend-I send the shell re-
quested Only it has been impossible to
find an artillery man who knew how to
unload it. Make him carry it to the house
| of the armOrer near the entrance to the
opera house, who can do it very skill
fully. Take the greatest care. The least
blow, the least friction, for it is only the
thickness of paper, and the she'll will ex-
plode.
l was interrupted by cries of fear.
Take it away" cried Madame Dutail-
| ly. at is terrible this shell in my craw.
ing ROOM!
''Alas!" said l, extending my hand.
do not touch it.
Be calm! be assured! The artillery
man who brought it will take it away"
But, sir, said the servant, who stood
trembling on the doorsilI, ''he has already
gone"
New explanations.
Then" said |, 1T is I
81 forbid you,' quickly cried Dutail
"You have not the strength to carry
that all the way to the opera house.
You will only let it fall on the stair
case or in the ante room
| Madame Dutailly chung to me.
Not you; it is too dangerous! not
you'll"
This" said Dutailly, is the deed of a
soldier, of a strong soldier; happily the
captain is that"
| "I!' said the captain.
"4es, you are as strong as Turk and
can do such deeds. You play with balls
and shells as schoolboy plays with mar
bles and footballr'
Pardon me, pardon me-" objected the
| Can t you wait until tomorrow to have it
| taken away?"
WHAT cried Madame Dutailly, "to-
| 7 al