The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-10-08
A PIECE OF STRING.
BY GUY DE MAurAssANr.

BY GUY DE MAUEASshNI.
A vast throng filled the market-place
OF Goderyille, surging multitude OF
men and animals. The horns of the
cattle, the rough-napped high hats OF
the rich peasants and the headdresses
OF the women rocked together on the
surface of the sea Voices harsh and
clamorous made n shrill and savage
din. Now and again above it all
mighty roar of laughter would burst
from the lungs OF some rustic, mingled
with the long below OF COW tied fast
to the wall OF a house.
Muitre Hauchecorne, or Breaute, had
lust arrived at Goderville and was max
ing his way toward the market-place,
when he saw on the ground little
piece OF string. MaItre HauChecorne,
saving, like every other true woman, re-
hected that everything was worth pick
ing up which could be made useful, and
he stopped down and took the thin
piece oil string from the ground and was
lust putting it in his pocket when he
perceived Maitre Malaudain standing
on his doorstep looking at him.
They had once had a quarrel about a
halter and they had remained angry,
bearing malice on both sides. Maitre
Hauchecorne was overcome with embar-
rasment at being seen by his old enemy
searching in the dust for scrap OF
string. He quickly hid his find under
his blouse, then in his pocket, then pre-
tended to look for something on the
ground, and at last started for the mar
ket-plaCe, with his head bent forward
and body almost doubled in two by
rheumatic pains.
Slowly the square became empty, and
when the Angelus struck at midday
those who lived ut distance poured
into the inn. -,
At Jourdain's the great room was fill
ed with eaters.
Suddenly drum sounded before the
house. Everyone, excepting the most
indifferent, sprang to his feet and ran
to the door, to the windows, his mouth
full and his napkin in hand.
When the public crier had finished
his tattoo he called forth in a ierky
voice, making HIS pauses out OF time:
BE it known TO the inhabitants OF
Goderville, and in general to all-per-
sors present Mt the market, that there
has been lost this morning on the Ben
zeville road, between--9 and 10 o'clock,
n purse OF black leather containing 800
francs and business papers You are
requested 10 return it to the mayors
office ut once. ~
They we're finishing their coffee when
the corporal OF gensdarme appeared on
the threshold. He said:
"Maitre Hancheeorne, will you come
with me to the mayors office? NJ. lie
Aluire would like to speak to you.
Maitrc Hauchetorne followed the
corporal.
The mayor was waiting in an arm
chair. ms.
morning, on the Bonneville road, you
we're seen to pick up the pocketbook
lost by Maitre Houlhreque, of Manne-
Vile"
The peasant, speechloss, regarded the
mayor, frightened already by this sus-.
picion which rested on him, he knew
not why,
oil picked up that pocketbook2"
"Yes, you"
81 swear know nothing about it.
"You wore seen.
"They saw me? Who saw meH
an. Malandain, the harness-maker."
Then the old man understood and
grew scarlet with anger.
The Mayor continued: after having
,;ctoJ mn tho purse YOU even looked in
the dirt TO see ii some money had not
fallen out"
The good man was choked vita anger
and fear:
"If they can say:--if they can say
10 such lies as that to Islander an
honest mani If they can say"
He might protest, he was not be-
lieved.
The news spread. When he left the
MAYORS office the old man was sur
rounded, questioned with 4 curiosity
which was serious or mocking, as the
case might be. And he told about tho
string They did not believe him.
They said to him, "You old rascal,
you"
That evening he made the round IN
the village vi Breaute, go as TO tell
everyone. lie met only unbelievers.
lie was i'll all night.
Next day, about in the afternoon,
Marius Paumelle, a farm hand Of Maitre
Breton, the market gardener OF Ymau.
vile, returned the purse and its con-
tents. ,
This man said, indeed, that he had
found 1t on the road, but, not knowing
how to read, carried it homo and gave
II to his master.
The news spread Maitre Hauche.
corne at once began to tell his story as
completed by the climax.
"What grieved me-" saidho, twas NOT