The Portland daily press., 1892-01-29
) die without the consolation Of religion.

70 die without the consolation Of religion.
Some one must go for a priest.
| obiacted-said it was too late. Then
Sorieul proposed that should fill that
Office. and | exhorted the criminal to
unburden his sins into my bosom.
The poor old wretch had been rolling
his frightened eyes for about five min
utes, no doubt wondering what kind OF
madmen he had fallen into the hands Of
You will laugh when | tell you Sorieu!
forced him down upon his knees, saying,
Confess to this gentleman. for thy last
hour has come"
Horribly frightened. the old scoundrel
began to cry Help! help!' with such
strength and vigor we were forced to
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 us finish him!"
with that he put his pistol to the head
of the miserable wretch and pulled the
trigger.
Carried away by his example. fred
in my turn. My musket was an old
fiintlock, and sent forth a tiny spark,
to my great surprise.
Then LIE Poittevin said in grave tones.
.sHave we the right to kill this MANI
Sorieul in great establishment cried
out, Certainly, when we have con-
demned him to DEATH"
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 Poittevin 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.
ly 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 robber?" 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 now?'
He groaned, .sIn the name of God. Eve
had enough
Then Sorieul became affectionately pa
ternal. He united him, placed him in
an armchair, fondled him, called him
'sthee" and thou" And to comfort
him we all three ran off to make him a
fresh punch, Tho old scamp, TRANQUILITY
seated in his armchair, coolly regard
ed us.
When the punch was ready we touched
glasses with him, wishing him long life
and prosperity
Our prisoner drank as much as regi-
ment, and when daylight appeared he
got up and said, II am sorry to leave
you, gentlemen, but must CO."
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 bad step there!
Don't fall.''
A hearty laugh followed this ridicu-
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
tlemen, is this: Every word of it is
truer'-Translated from the French of
Guy de Maupassant by M. E. B. for Ro-
nance.