Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-06-22
A BOMBSHELL.

A DUMDSHELL
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,
a 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 a COW, a
poultry house, even pigsty, that three
months later was worth its weight in
gold.
In the month of October we blessed
her. first, for whom a 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 a lard omelette, or
morsel of cheese moistened by excellent
wines which had no percentage, d rare
thing considering the chemicals of the
house?
Twas 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 manufactory, the future partner
and son-in-law of Dutailly. This quiet,
serious and somewhat diffident 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 word, tine
dtlCItlOlo VI OllCutuU WGI0 TtCtltCu
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, q 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 a 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
tions 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 a brief delay decided vic
tories for US. Brichaft, incredulous, Of
fered a 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
Rll the battles his clerk prevented him
from gaining.
The presence of new guest compli-
Gated the matter still more. I was sur
prised one evening arriving late to find
my place at the right of Nine. Dutailly
occupied by a red faced, broad shoul-
aered and boastful stranger He wore
the epaulettes of a,captain on his fan
tastic uniform-the cast off clothing of
some theater-and was shod with enm-
nous boots, in which it was impossible
for me to recognize hero.
ON Robillard," said M. Dutailly, in
Producing US, 'captain of the Enfants
Perdus dc Courbevoie."
) Before had finished the soup 1 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. I asked how it
happened that this heavy featured man
had come this evening to; partake of our
cheese. Nine. Dutailly told me with
some feeling she had had q fall on the
Boulevard Poissonniere, slippery with
frost. Robillard, who was passing, had
carried her, slightly bruised and par
TALLY insensible, to the nearest chemist
and returned home with heE. Out Of
gratitude she could do no less thaminvite
her preserver to dinner. This explana-
ton satisfied me. hoped toI be rid of
the hero from that time.
The rogue was no fool He saidthe
was interested In large.coal mining
business that obliged him to journey
over Europe, and entertai ined us very
pleasantly with "reminiscences of his
travels. The war brought him to Paris,
whose danger claimed hispresence. As
to his exploits in the suburbsat the head
Of the Enfants Perdus they passed all
credence. Nine. Dutailly listened to
these falsehoods with pleasure. Dutailly
vas desirous to believe, too. Gertrude
alone was incredulous. Astto poor lit
t1e Anatola palaf and mora lost thar