The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-02

todiowithout the consolation religion.
Some one must 60 for . priest
| objected said It was too late Then
sorieul proposed that should I'll that
Office. and l exhorted the criminal 70
unbnrden his sins into my bosom.
The poor old wretch had been rolling
his frightened eyes for about ave min
utes. no doubt wondering what kind Of
madmen he had fallen into the hands Of.
You win laugh when tell you Sorieul
forced him down upon his knees, saying.
Confess to this gentleman. for thy last
hour has GOMEZ
Horribly frightened, the old scoundrel
began to cry "Helpl helpr with such
strength and vigor we were forced &c
gag him for fear he would arouse the
neighbors. Then he rolled over the
floor, turning, twisting, upsetting the
easels, pictures, canvases, until Sorieul
got out Of patience and angrily ex-
claimed, Come, let MS finish him!"
with that he put his pistol to the head
Of the miserable wretch and pulled the
trigger.
Carried away by his example, 1 fired
In my tuRaA My musket was an old
Aintlock, and sent forth tiny spark.
to my great surprise.
Then lie Poittevin said in grave tones
Have we the right to kill this mann
Sorieul in great astonishment cried
out, Certainly, when we have con-
demned him to death!'
s'But," continued LIE Poittevin, they
don't shoot civilians. They are always
hanged. We must take this one to the
police station
This argument appeared conclusive
We picked up the old fellow--he
would not walk a step bound him Sc.
curely to plank taken from the model
table, and carried him, lie Poitteyin at
the head, at the foot, while Sorieul
armed to the teeth. closed the line Of
march.
When we reached the station house.
the sentinel arrested us. The chief Of
police was sent for. He knew us WELL
nearly every day witnessing some of our
jokes. pranks and unheard of capers.
He refused to receive our prisoner.
Sorieul insisted; then the officer severe
~ invited us to return home and make
no more noise.
The troop again took up the line OF
march and returned to the atelier.
What are we going to do with this
old robberg' asked.
Lie Poittevin, touched with tender
pity, declared he looked terribly ex.
hausted. Truly the old fellow had an
agonizing appearance, gagged, tied hand
and foot and securely bound to his
plank.
was taken in my turn with violent
pity. | took off his gag and said, well,
my poor old man, how do you feel nowy
He groaned, I'm the name of God, I've
had enough!"
Then Sorieul became affectionately pa.
ternal. He united him, placed him in
an armchair, fondled him, called him
"thee" and thou" And to comfort
him we all three ran off to make him
fresh punch. The old scamp, TRANQUILITY
seated in his armchair. coolly regard.
ed MS.
When the punch was ready we touched
glasses with him, wishing him long life
ana prosperity.
Our prisoner drank as much as d regi.
ment, and when daylight appeared he
got up and said, II am sorry to leave
you, gentlemen, but must 60"
We were desolate, heartbroken
begged him to stay, but he would re.
main no longer. Then we followed him
to the door, shook hands with him
Sorieul lighted him through the vesti
bule and called out: Take care, my
old friend, there's a bad step there
Don't fallr,
A hearty laugh followed this ridicn
lous story Of the old artist, who got up
lighted his pipe and standing in front
OF us added:
THE drollest part of my story. gen
tlenen, is this: Every word of ii il
true!'- Translated from the French OF
Guy de Maupassant by NJ. E. B. for Ro
nance.