Arizona republican., 1892-02-16

to die without the consolation of religion
Some ono must go for priest.
objected said it was too late. Then
Sorieul proposed that should fill that
office, and | exhorted the criminal Ia
unburden his sins into my bosom
The poorold 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 Sorieul
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 ont 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 fired
in my turn, My musket was an old
flintlock, 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 establishment cried
out, Certainly, when we have con.
demned him to deathr
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 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
| ~ 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 robbery" | 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, in 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 o
fresh punch. The 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 aus 81 regi
ment, and when daylight appeared be
got up and said, Il am sorry to leave
you, gentlemen, but must go.
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 r;dicu-
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
true"-Transated from the French Of
Guy de Maupassant by NJ. Z. b. for Ro-
nance