The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1893-11-24

w bouhu hiih uthhu hlN tOot liu pTO-
ceeded to question him, He would not
answer u word.
Then Sorieul, full Of digni.pd drunken
ness, said, "We must try tila man, and
pass sentence upon him. was SO
drunk the proposition seemed perfectly
natural to me. LIE Poittevin was charged
with the defonse, and | to sustain the
accusation. He was condemned to death;
only one dissenting voice, that OF his de-
fender. We were going to execute the
sentence, when serious scruple came to
Sorieul. He said: "This man ought not
10 die without the consolation Of religion.
Some one must go for priest"
l objected-said 1t was too late. Then
Sorieul proposed that should Ill that
office, and exhorted the criminal 70
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 Sorisul
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 snch
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 out OF patience and angrily ex.
claimed, Come, lot 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 a tiny spark.
to my great surprise.
Then LIE Poittevin said in grave tones,
"Have we the right to kill this mann
Sorieul in great astonishment cried
out, Certainly. when we have con
demned him to DEATH"
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 SO.
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 we'll.
nearly every day witnessing some Of our
jokes pranks and unheard Of capers
He refused to receive our prisoner.
Sorleul 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 robberY asked
Le Poittevin, touched with tender
pity, declared he looked terribly OK.
hausted. Truly the old fellow had an
agonizing appearance, gagged, tied hand
and foot and securely bound to hii
plank.
was taken in my turn with violent
pity. took off his gag and said, well
my poor old man, how do you feel nowY
He groaned, "ln the name Of God I've
had enough!'
Then Sorieul became affectionately pa
ternal. He united him, placed him III
IN armchair, fondled him, called him
'thee' and thou" And to comfort
him we all three ran of to make him .
fresh punch. The old scamp, TRANQUILITY
seated in his armchair. coolly regard
cd u.s. ......
When the punch was ready we touched
glasses with him. wishing him long lift
and prosperity
Our prisoner drank as much as o regi
ment, and when daylight appeared h,
got up and said. Il AM sorry to leav,
you, gentlemen, but must go.r
We were desolate, heartbroken
begged him to stay, but he would re
main no longer. Then we followed hin
to the door, shook hands with him
Sorieul lighted him through the vesti
bule and called out; Take care, M,
old friend, there's o bad step there
Don't falli"
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
1.-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 NJ, L. b. for Ro
| nance,