Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1892-10-29

was lucky for his reputation as 6
phlegmatic swell that the evening
breeze dried a couple of tears that be
gan to dim his eyes.
Jean Victor" he said, IF we both
of us survive this fIightful war, we
shall meet again, and l hope to be OF
service to you. But just now, as
there is no other baker at the ad-
vanced posts but the commissary
sergeant, and as my ration of bread
is twice too large for my small ap-
petite-it is agreed, is it Motive
will go shares like good comrades"
T.ls clasp of the hand which the
two ingl interchanged was firm and
warm; then as night was falling,
and as they had been harrassed by
night duty and alarms, they returned
70 the room in the wine shop where
a dozen soldiers were lying ON the
straw spread floor. Here. fiinging
themselves down side by side, they
fell into a deep sleep
Toward midnight Jean Victor
awoke, most probably being hungry.
The wind had swept away the clouds,
ard moonbeam, entering the room
by hole in the roof, Lit up the blond
and charming head of the young
duke, sleeping like an Endymion
Still touched by the kindness of his
comrade, Jean Victor was looking at
him with simple minded admiration,
when the sergeant of the platoon
opened the door and called the five
nen who had to relieve the advanced
pickets. The duke was one of the
Eve, but did not wake when his name
was called.
"Hardimont, get up" repeated the
sergeant.
IF you will be good enough, ser
geant,' said Jean Victor rising, 81
will take his place. He sleeps so
soundly-and he is my comrade."
"As you like"
When the five men had gone the
snoring recommended.
But half an hour after shots in
close succession and very near at
hand broke the silence of the night.
In an instant every man was on his
feet. The soldiers came out of the
wine shop, marching warily with
hand on trigger and looking out
ahead on the road which was whit
ened by the moon.
"Why, what time Is it2" asked the
duke. II was to be on guard to-
night" Some one replied, Jean Vic
tor has gone in your place" At that
instant they saw soldier who came
running on the road.
"Welli" they asked, when h.'
stopped quite out of breath
1.-The Prussians are attacking-wc
must fail back on the redoubt."
And your comradesf'
"They are coming. There is only
that poor Jean Victor, who was
'Whatl" cried the duke.
'IIlled instantly; shot through the
head. He hadn't time to utter syl-
liable"
One night last week, about 2 o'clock
in the morning, the Duke dc Hardi-
mont was issuing from the club with.
his neighber, the Count of Saulnes.
He had just lost some hundreds of
louis and felt II little out of sorts.
"If you would like, Andre" hesaid
to his companion, 1--WE will go home
afoot. / want some fresh air."
"Just as Won like NV friend al
though the sidewalk is pretty bad"
Accordingly they sent their coupe
home, turned up their coat collars
and went down toward the Made
leine.
All at once tho dukes boot struck
against an object which rolled away
before him. 1t was a great crust Of
bread, all covered with mud.
Then, to his amazement, M. de
Saulnes saw the Duke de Hardimont
pick up the piece of bread, wipe it
carefully with his embroidered hand
kerohief and place it on bench in
the boulevard under q gas lamp.
What are you doing therei" said
the count, bursting into laughter.
Are you mad|
1t is in memory of a poor man
who died for me, replied the duke,
whose voice trembled slightly. DO
not laugh, my friend, you will dis
oblige me. Translated from the
French of Francois Coppee for Pitts
hnro, Pl1llatin