Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1894-02-28
A BOMBsHELL.

Tho return of New Years day recalls
always to my memory an episode of the
siege of Paris, which gained me some
credit. am proud of it.
Let the reader be assured. shall not
conduct him to the ramparts, nor to the
outposts, but only to the Rue Trevise
ard the house of my old friend Dutailly,
o rich manufacturer Of chemicals, the
husband of an excellent wife. the father
Of charming daughter, skillful manu-
facturer, a good patriot, a little foolish
respecting politics, but after all the best
fellow in the world.
Surprised by the investment of Paris
when he had packed his trunks to leave,
he was consoled by the conviction that
the city would not hold out a week.
Better advised, Nine. Dutailly began at
first by provisioning the house, in which
she amassed such an abundance of food
that had the siege lasted three months
longer the Dutaillys would never have
starved. Then she finished her work by
putting in her small garden COW, a
poultry house, even pigsty, that three
months later was worth its weight in
gold.
In the month of October we blessed
her. | first, for whom plate was
placed on the Dutailly table Tuesday
and Sunday evenings, and who found
there recompense for the privations of
the rest of the week. Why should not
one be delighted in these days of scarcity
at the sight of lard omelette, or a
morsel of cheese moistened by excellent
wines which had no percentage. rare
thing considering the chemicals of the
house?
Twas not the only guest received at
this hospitable mansion. Another per-
son had his plate by the .side of mine,
young Anatole Brichant, principal clerk
Of the mandatory, the future partner
and son-in-law of Dutailly. This quiet,
serious and somewhat diffldent young
man was very much in love with the
daughter of his patron, and Mile. Ger
trude was not insensible to his affection
Without having exchanged word, tho
attentions of Brichant were received
with favor by the Dutaillys, and the
union of the two young people was tacit-
ly agreed upon; but unfortunately the
war postponed the event.
Brichant, a corporal in the corps,
moved to the Seine and barracks of St
Denis, did his duty as soldier consci-
entieusiy, as he did everything else, but
without enthusiasm; it must DO con-
feSsed he execrated this siege, which
postponed his happiness, and mildly
criticised the operations with little
bitter feeling. These criticisms did not
fail to irritate Dutailly, who was fol
lower Of General Trochu. There was
something else; The Times just at that
time published series Of articles whose
su6for reconstructed the military opera
lions Of the province according to his
own fancy.
Dutai1ly had taken these fancies as
matters of fact. He placed his little
flags on the chart, at the points decided
upon by the strategist of The Times,
followed with anxiety tho fictitious
marches and counter marches, and pre-
dictcd after brief delay decided vic
tories for us. Briohant, incredulous, Of
fered timid objection. Dutailly was
ezcdbsd and angry. interrupted to
stop the discussion, but the host at the
BOTTOM Of his heart was not oonsoled for
Al the BATTLES his clerk prevented him
from gaining.
The presence of new guest compli-
GATED the matter still more. was sur
prised one evening arriving late to find
my place at the right of Nine. Dutailly
occupied by red faced, broad shout
dsred and boastful stranger. He wore
the epsulettes of captain on his fam
tastio uniform-the cast off clothing of
some theater-and was shod with enor-
nous boots, in which it was impossible |
for me b recognize hero.
IN. Robiflard," said NJ. Dutailly, in
kodusing us, captain of the Enfants
Psrdus de- Courbevoie."
Before had finished the soup had
made up my mind respecting Robillard.
The exploits of the soldier of fortune
consisted Of stripping the houses in the
Iuburbs Of the furniture that might
beinyt the greed of the enemy and put
ing II IN safe place. asked how it
happened that this heavy featured man
aad come this evening to partake of our
,heess. Nine. Dutailly told me with
Iome feeling she had had fall on the