The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1893-09-30

Il
language and his gesture were not thos
Of father who has buried his son. Dur
ing my visit his mother found an oppor
unity OF speaking 10 me alone. She tolt
oi her son and Of the sorrow he hat
brought upon thcm-how be had com
promised himself, falling lower and
lower from day TO day, In the wickec
world Of Paris, and how his family M
longer looked upon him as their own
She made me promise 10 go to see him
10 write 10 her and TO let her know how
he lived, 10 hide nothing from her
Could this be the same Jean de Thom
meray whom had knownl How could
ne have fallen 80 low from the heighta
where had left him2
/ went back 10 Paris. ! found him
living in richly furnished apartments,
and held out his hand TO me with an
easy grace, as IL he had not pang in the
world-as IL the luxury, In the midst OF
which had surprised him, had been
bought by the efforts Of O glorious and
honest labor, instead Of the fruits OF the
gaming table. He began 10 excuse
himself for having SO long neglected
me.
"All that Is excused, / said. "I have
come from Brittany where ! saw your
parents, and as you have always spoken
Of them with respect, am only fulfilling
a duty when | come 10 tell you OF the
sad state in which found them"--
"Thanks, Monsieur, you need not 90
on" He interrupted me calmly and
with tone Of great urtanity. 1T Is
nothing new you tell me. Ny way Of
living Is a subject Of scandal and trouble
to my family. My brothers disown me,
my mother weeps in secret, my father no
longer knows me. Well, sir, be nv
Judge. j am not a saint. Not being
able TO reform the age as I once thought
Of doing, you remember, ] have ended
by adopting its ways and wearing its
livery. IL seems TO me that, in a society
where money is a god, not TO be rich
would be an impiety. ] have played,
do not deny 1t, and have al
ways won. by my skillful playing
keep up the state OF the house and be-
longiDgs ! won by my luck. My parents
lived according 10 the manners Of their
time. live according to the ways OF
my own"
II was sad TO hear this young man
cxult in his fall and glory In his ruin
All about him betrayed the habits Of
the life he now led His very smile,
once so sweet and clear, had cold ex-
preston like the hard luster OF steel. He
told me his story--how he had been
basely deceived and robbed of his last
centime by woman whom he thought
deserving OF his hearts devotion, In spite
OF his mothers penetration, which had
sounded the depths OF unworthiness in
the character hidden beneath the charms
OF beauty and an artless manner; how,
when he came TO his senses, his youth
was dead. and new and worse man
had come to live within him. He be-
lieved no more In anything good.
'Tbere are no longer any women!"
he said.
"You are mistaken" / replied. "We
have mothers, sisters, friends, wives,
who every day and every hour quietly
accomplish miracles OF goodness, devo-
tion and charity. Society is not as bad
as you think it, but you, you, sir, are
much worse than feared. Still, why
not return to your family, who are
grieving for your Your youth is not
dead, 1t is waiting for you there"
1T Is too late must confess to you
that since my sojourn ut Baden the
gambling fever has never left me. Let
US live and enjoy ourselves-after us
the delugel II is now my hour for the
bourse, and to my regret am obliged to
leave you"
zone word more" l said, rising.
"UDtil now you have been successful;
but fortune will not always be on your
side. What will you do when she be-
trays your For that day will surely
come"
"Let 1t come. am ready"
"You will kill YOURSELF" / said. He
did not answer. "And God d--and your
mother2" After moments hesitation
he held out his hand. took it.
"You have fallen low indeed, my boy.
This explains tho sorrow OF your family.
l understand IL, and share it. But,
even now. do not give you up-----"
Ile smiled sadly and left him.
A few days after this wrote to Ma
dame de Thommeray and gave an account
OF my interview with Jean. | did not
try to see him again. Other thoughts
occupied me. War was declared. The
enemy was already marching on Paris
the world was filled with the noise OF
our disasters.
Whoever did not see Paris during the
last days of the siege cannot form an
idea of the physiognomy of the city at
that time. The confusion and flight
brought on by the first news of our de-
feat gave way to manly thoughts and
noble resolves. Every one was ready for
great sacrifices A current of hcroism
ran through all hearts. Men watched on
the ramparts; citizens, transformed into
soldiers, drilled in the squares and gar
dens with their muskets and rifles; all
classes mingled and fused together,
forming only one soul--the soul OF their
country. lived in the streets during
those feverish days. attracted 10y every
noise, mingling In the crowd, gathering
all the news. One morning on the Quai
Voltaire, between the Pont-Royal and
the Bridge dcs Saints-Peres, met Jean,
face TO face.
"At lastl" | said, greeting him. "And