Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-07-22

Oisc. marching on Rouen. and then
arriving triumphantly at Havre.
which moved Dutailly to enthusiasm;
while poor Anatole Inundated. and
suffering greatly from his still open
wound. received no attention from
any one but Gertrude and myself.
On the next day he had fever and
kept his bed. and for some weeks was
absent from our meals. The captain
quickly established his professions to
the hand of Gertrude aud her parents
did not discourage him. The day on
which Anatole returned 10 Us conva-
| lescent but thinner than ever. it
seemed to me that Mile Gertrude's
eyes were red and she had on that
| day cuarreled with her mother who
was unore infatuated than ever with
Robillard. / thought it time to inter-
fere in behalf of the poor children.
This day was the last Sunday of the
year and consequently we spoke OF
the new year. saying that we ought to
have family festival.
Certainly. Nine. Dutailly," cried
the captain. Il must prepare sur
prise for your gift"
That gave me an idea for mine.
On New Years day. Dutailly well
coined us very cordially. The strate-
gist of the Temps was to soundly beat
Prince Charles in the environs of
Coreux, after having drawn him there
by stimulated retreat which was
the finest deed OF arms OF modern
times. Dutailly told us this good news
for our gift Anatole presented rab-
bit he had caught in a net in the de-
vastated Isle OF ST. Denis a pet rab.
bit which had returned to its wild
state AS for the captain he gave
Madame Dutailly a large bag of mar
rons glaces in German helmet.
Dear madame a" he said smiling.
Il would have liked to offer you the
head OF the owner of this helmet"
What cried Madame Dutailly
filed with admiration. have you
killed him?"
TO offer you this box OF bonbons.
May l say it is DOT in the power of
every one? ! will relate the advent
ure as you think So we'll OF the
actor"
He had watched surprised and
frightened the wearer of the helmet
a deserving sentinel, while hiding in q
cask. and in hand to hand fight had
strangled him IN order not to attract
the notice of the enemy by firing his
revolver Oh. what miserable APP
pearance this rabbit caught in a net
also strangled. made by the side OF
this glorious trophy!
las for me- " said l. L cannot rival
the captain with so brave a gift yet |
have also my little surprise But it
has not yet arrived 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 sur cigars when an artillery
man placed nay gift in the drawing
room
We passed into the room where the
object lay on table. wrapped IN q
frosted paper tied with blue ribbon.
What can that be" said Madame
Dutailly.
do not open it dear madame; it
is a she'll"
"A shell?"
''Dutailly has often expressed his
desire to have shell. a genuine one
that had been used, and my friend
Roland. commander of battery, at
my request sent me one from the
plateau d'ArrOn. which failed to ex-
plode in falling
while speaking / united the blue
ribbon and tore off the paper. The
shell appeared, black. sinister men
acing.
'Zounds!" said Dutailly. You
delight me- 1 will hang it in my
cabinet"
But" said Nine. Dutailly. anx-
iously. If it has not exploded?"
Don't be nervous it was agreed
that Roland should send me one uu-
loaded 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 coun-
tenance expressed surprise, then anX-
icty. for every one exclaimed:
What is the matter?'
Alas said 'listen and / will
read it:
Dear Friend 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 skilfully. Take the great
est care The least blow. the least
friction. for 1t is only the thickness of
| paper and the she'll will explode
Twas interrupted by cries OF fear
Take it away" cried Madame Du-
tally. lit Is terrible! this shell in
my drawing room!"
Alas" said l. extending my hand.
do not touch it
Be CAIN. be assured The artil-
lery man who brought 1t will take it
away"
but sir" said the servant who
stood trem milling on the doorsill The
has already gone"
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