The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-10-12
A BOMBSHELL.

The return of New Years day recalls
always to my memory an episode of the
siege of Paris, which gained me some
credit. am proud Of it.
Let the reader be assured. shall not
conduct him to the ramparts, nor to the
outposts, but only to the Rue Trevise
and the house of my old friend Dutailly,
rich manufacturer of chemicals, the
husband of an excellent wife. the father
of charming daughter, skillful manu-
facturer, a good patriot, little foolish
respecting politics, but after all the best
fellow in the world.
Surprised by the investment of Paris
when he had packed his trunks to leave,
he was consoled by the conviction that
the city would not hold out a week.
Better advised, Nine. Dutailly began at
first by provisioning the house, in which
she amassed such an abundance of food
that had the siege lasted three months
longer the Dutaillys would never have
starved. Then she finished her work by
putting in her small garden COW, a
poultry house, even a pigsty, that three
months later was worth its weight in
gold.
In the month of October we blessed
her. I first, for whom plate was
placed on the Dutailly table Tuesday
and Sunday evenings, and who found
there recompense for the privations Of
the rest of the week. Why should not
one be delighted in these days of scarcity
at the sight of lard omelette, or a
morsel of cheese moistened by excellent
wines which had no percentage, a rare
thing considering the chemicals of the
house?
was not the only guest received at
this hospitable mansion. Another per-
son had his plate by the side of mine,
young Anatole Brichant, principal clerk
of the mandatory, the future partner
and son-in-law of Dutailly. This quiet,
serious and somewhat difident young
man was very much in love with the
daughter of his patron, and Mile. Ger
trude was not insensible to his affection
Without having exchanged a word, the
attentions of Brichant were received
with favor by the Dutaillys, and the
union Of the two young people was tacit
ly agreed upon; but unfortunately the
war postponed the event.
Brichant, a corporal in the corps,
moved to the Seine and barracks of St.
Denis, did his duty as soldier consci-
entiously, as he did everything else, but
without enthusiasm; it must be con-
fessed he execrated this siege, which
postponed his happiness, and mildly
criticised the operations with little
bitter feeling. These criticisms did not
fail to irritate Dutailly, who was fol-
lower Of General Trochu. There was
something else; The Times just at that
time published series of articles whose
author reconstructed the military opera
tons of the province according to his
own fancy.
Dutailly had taken these fancies as
matters of fact. He placed his little
flags on the chart, at the points decided
upon by the strategist of The Times,
followed with anxiety the fictitious
marches and counter marches, and pre-
dicted after brief delay decided vic
tories for us. Brichant, incredulous, of.
fered timid objection. Dutailly was
excited and angry. I interrupted to
stop the discussion, but the host at the
bottom of his heart was not consoled for
ell the battles his clerk prevented him
from gaining.
The presence Of new guest comph
Gated the matter still more. | was sur
prised one evening arriving late to fnd
my place at the right of Nine. Dntailly
occupied by red faced, broad Shout
the epaulettes of captain on his fan
tastic ur,iform-the cast off clothing Of
some theater-and was sbod with enor-
nous boots, in which it was impossible
for me to recognize horo.
I'M. Robillard," said M. Dutailly, in.
Producing US, captain Of the Enfants
Perdus de Courbevoie."
Before had finished the soup I had
made UP my mind respecting Robillard.
The exploits of the soldier Of fortune
consisted Of stripping the houses in the
suburbs of the furniture that might
tempt the greed of the enemy and put
ting it in safe place. asked how it
happened that this heavy featured man
had come this evening to partaks of our
cheese. Nine. Dutailly told me with
soma feeling she had had a fall on tbs
Boulevard Poiesonniere, slippery witt.
frost. Robillard, who was passing, had
carried her, slightly bruised and par
tally insensiblo, to the nearest chemist
a1ld returned home with her. Out of
gratitude she could do no less than invite
her preserver to dinner. This explana-
ton satisfied me. hoped to be rid Of
the hero from that time.
The rogue was no fool. He said he