St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1893-11-18

anu uStA Oul Ills Iduu ~ ZIG VIII d
easy grace, as if he had not pang in tn
w"rld-as if the luxury, in the midst O
which I had surprised him, had bee
bought by the efforts of glorious ant
honest labor, instead Of the fruits of tn
gaming table. He began to cxcus
himself for having so long neglected
me.
"All that is excused, u said. 81 hav
come from Brittany where | saw you
parents, and as you have always Spoken
IF them with rt spect, l am only fultillin.
a duty when | come to tell you of tn
sad state in which found thcm"--
Thanks, Monsieur, you need not e
on He interrupted me calmly anc
with tone of great urbanity. 1T i
nothing new you tell me. My way Of
living is subject of scandal and trouble
to my family. My brothers disown me,
my mother weeps in secret, my father nc
longer knows me. Well, sir, be my
judge. am not saint. Not being
able to reform the age as 7 once thought
of doing, you remember, | have ended
by adopting its ways and wearing its
livery. 1t seems to me that, in society
where money is god, not to be rich
would be an impicty. I have played,
do not deny it, and I have al
ways won. BY my skilIful playing l
keep up the state of the house and be-
longings won by my luck My parents
lived according to the manners of their
time. | live according to the ways of
my own"
1t was sad to hear this young man
cxuIt Ill 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
centlme py a 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 artlcss manner; how,
when he came to his senses, his youth
was dead, and a new and q worse man
had come to live within him. He be-
lievcd no more in anything good.
"Ihere 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-
ton 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 ure
growing for you? Your youth is not
dead, it is waiting for You there"
1T is 100 late. must confess to YOU
that since my sojourn at Baden the
gambling fever has never left me- Let
IS live and enjoy ourselves-after Us
he dclngc! 1t is now my hour for the
oourse, and to my regret am obliged to
cave ycu.'
"One word morc,' I said, rising.
Until now You have been successful; |
)ut fortune will not always be on your
ide. What will You do when she be-
rays you? For that day will surely
:Omc."
'Iet it come. am ready
You will kill YOURSELF" | said. He
lid not answer. And God--and your
Mother" After a moments hesitation
le held out his hand. took it.
You lave fallen low indeed, my boz.
his explains the sorrow of your family.
understand it, and share it. Bat.
ven now, do not give You up--''
lie smiled IDLY aud left him.
A few days after this | wrote to Ma
ame de Thpmmcray and gave an acc punt
+ my interview With Jean. did net
ry to see him again. OTHER Thoughts
coupled me. War was declared. The
ncmy Was already marching on Paris;
re word was filled with the noise of
ur disasters.
Whoever did not see Paris during the
st days of the siege cannot form in
lea of the physiognomy Of the city at
lat time. The confusion and fight
rought on by the first news of our de-
at gave way to manly thoughts and ,,
oble resolves. Every one was ready for
reat SACRIFICES. a current of hc.ojsm
n through all hearts Men watched on :
c rainparts; citizens, transformed into /
!dierS. drilled in the squa:o5 and gar
ms with their mu>kcts and rifles; all .
asses mingled and fused together, '.
rining only one soul--~the soul of their /
unry. lived in the streets during :
ose fcverish days, attracted by every :
Use, mingling in the crowd, gathering y
the news. One morning on the Quai :
oltai'e, between the Point Royal and i,
e Bridge DIES Saints-Pcrcs, | met Jean,
&c to face.
cat last" I said greeting him. "And /,
Il have steid? am glad.' +
"Yes, | have ataid here he replied. * *
was obliged to look after my fortune. !. -
wv it is all arranged. | have drawn "
all my money, and leave this even +
, to 60 and live in a foreign land"
You are going away | exclaimed.
When yourcountry is in agony you think
leaving herr"
''My country, Monsieur! The wise "
n carries his country wherever he u
IS. You, yourself, what are YOU do W
|; here:' u
1 have not returned only to 60 away &C
Tin. am not worth much; but here 81
ave known govd and bad days. Paris nj
given me whatever gnod l have in re
| wish to share her dangers, if IN
y by my presence. l will live in her sa
otons, l will help to bear her anguish, IN i,
if we must suffer hunger, l shall II,
e the honor of suffering with her I"
you, Jean de Tbommeray! But w
|! knew you were changed for the llS
rse, but I did not think you were -,
en- so low. The land is invaded, and IN
|, a young man, instead of Selling a 10
sllet, catch hold Of your pocketbook! RI
, fortunes of France are on the verge ma
uin, and you have no other care than 30
eaiZe your future. To morrow the IN
my will be at our gates. and you strap ia
your valise and fly like a coward! 1t oyg