Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1894-01-19
THE TWO PEACHES.

THE TWO PEACHES.
Though the son and grandson of gov
eminent employees, had no more than
fairly got started in the same career
than resigned my position on account
of two peaches.
was a regular chip Of the old block,
and my father thought nothing could
equal government career. So, after
I had graduated, no one urged me to do
anything but take subordinate place
in my fathers department. [ did not
feel strongly drawn toward another vo-
cation and submissively started on the
uninteresting highway of bureaucracy.
l was diligent fellow and well dis
ciplined, for I had been taught from
my cradle to respect superior officials
and to defer to those in authority; SO
was noticed by my chiefs and rapidly
passed the first grades of clerkship.
When I was %, my director, who was
fond of me, gave me place in his Of
fee, and I became the envy Of my com
rades. They already spoke of me as a
prospective superior clerk and predict
ed bright future. 1t was then that
married. My wife was a beautiful 0-irl,
and, what is better, very good and affec-
tionate, but she had no fortune. That
was grave fault i'll the eyes of the lit
tie world Of clerks in which lived.
They were very positive. They regard
ed marriage only as business transac-
ton, and they invariably took for a rule
that g if the husband provides the break
fast, the wife must provide the dinner. %
But my wife and I between us had
hardly enough to sup neagerly. Every
body said l had done a very silly thing,
and more than one blunt colleague in
my department declared briefly that
was fool and had wlllfully put my
foot in it. Nevertheless my wife was
very sweet and lovely, and by living
modestly and with great economy we
succeeded in making both ends meet.
Though my lack Of foresight was still
condemned, the society people Of the
place deigned to continue inviting us.
Ny chief was rich and delighted in
being conspicuous, priding himself on
making a fine appearance i'll the social
world. He frequently received, gave
elegant dinners, and from time to time
issued invitations for a dancing party
to the families of his employees and tt
the prominent people of the town. My
wife was not well, some months after
our marriage, and though would have
much preferred to remain at home with
her I was obliged to go alone to these
entertainments, for my chief would moi
allow any one to decline his invitations
his subordinates must even amuse
themselves according to his orders.
One night there was grand ball al
the directory, and of course, whether
would or no, I had to don my evening
clothes and go.
While put the finishing touches tt
my white cravat, my wife gave me nu-
merous suggestions: " 1t will be perfect
ly lovely. Do not fail to see everything
SO as to tell me afterward. The names
Of the ladies who are there. the toilets
be a supper. 1t seems that they have
ordered a great many delicacies from
Chevet-some rare fruits; I heard Of
peaches that cost francs apiece-oh
what peaches they must be! Do you
know, if you were good, you would bring
me one."
/ demonstrated. I showed her that th5
thing was impracticable, and how diff
cult 1T would be for man in a dress
suit to put such fruit as pea'h in his
pocket without the risk of sSeing seer
and pointed out. The more I objected
the more bent upon her whim did she
become:
"On the contrary, nothing could be
easier. In the midst OF the crowd COM
ing and going to supper, no one would
see you. Take one as if for yourself,
and then hide it adroitly. Don't shrug
your shoulders. Perhaps it is only a
bit of childishness, but long for one
ever since l heard of those peaches /
have had q wild desire to taste them.
Promise to bring me one at least"
How could a man give q downright
refusal to the woman he adored? end
ed by murmuring vague promise and
then fastened away, but just as !
turned the handle of the door she call
ed me back. [ saw her big blue eyes.
bright with longing, turned upon me,
al d she cried once more, "Doyou prom
ise?''
The ball was very fine; flowers every
where, elegant toilets and excellent mu-
sic. The project, the president of the
tribunal, tho officers of the garrison,
and all of the department clerks were
there. Our chief had spared nothing
to give brilliancy to this enter tainment,
of which his wife and daughter did the
honors most graciouely. At midnight,
supper was served, and the dancers filed
into the dining room in couples. I fol-
lowed, trembling, and scarcely had I en-
tered before l saw the famous peaches
sent by Chevet occupying a conspicuous
place in the center Of the table.
They were indeed magnificent! There
was pyramid of them in china bas-
ket, carefully arranged with grape
leaves, which brought out the appetlz-
ing color Of their velvety skins where
deep red shaded into greenish white.
From seeing them one could easily I'm
agine the fragrance and delicate flavor
Of the luscious rosy pulp. My eyes ca
ressed them from affair." and I thought
Of the joyous cries that would greet me
IL my return if | succeeded in carrying
.olne a sample Of this perfect fruit
They were exciting general admiration,
ID the more gazed at them the more
did ny desire take the shape Of a fixed
purp, ise. [ determined to have one or
two. But how? The walters kept a
watchful guard over this rare and cost
ly delicacy. our host having reserved
for himself the pleasure of offering his
peaches to certain guests. From time
to time, at a sign from my chief, the
butler would daintily take one, cut it
with silver knife, and present the two
halves on a Sevres plate to the desig-
mated person.
watched this performance gfeedily,
and with fear saw the pyramid fall in.
However, the conf ents of the basket were
not exhausted. Perhaps the order had
been strictly executed; perhaps the
peaches had been arranged with fore
fho7ohf At any rate when tbe ham