The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-05
to die without econsolation Of religion.

to die without the consolation Of religion
Some one must go for priest"
ebjected-said it was too late. Then
5orieul proposed that | should fill that
office, and | exhorted the crimina! 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 Sorieul
forced him down upon his knees, saying.
Confess to this gentleman. for thy last
hour has GOMEZ
Horribly frightened, the old scoundrel
began to cry ''Help! helpv' with such
strength and vigor we were forced tc
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 ez-
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
hintlock, 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 deathp'
+ n DOstfari4, sEfts14-
don't shoot civilians. They are Away
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 al
the head, l 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, I'm the name of God. I've
had enoughP
Then Sorieul became affectionately pa.
ternal He united him, placed him il
an armchair, fondled him, called him
"thee" and chou" 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 as regi.
ment, and when daylight appeared he
got up and said, 81 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 fallr'
A hearty laugh followed this ridicu
lous story of the old artist, who got up
lighted his pipe and standing in from
of us added:
"The drollest part of my story, gen
tlemen, is this: Every word of it il
true!'-Translated from the French O.
Guy de Maupassant by M. E. B. for Ro
nance.