The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-01-11
THE TWO.PEACHES

UAuiucut ciiplOyccs, i udu uU uiUTc EnaH
fairly got started in the same career
than I resigned my position ON account
of two peaches.
was a regular chip of the old block,
and my father thought nothing could
equal a government career. So, after
l had graduated, no one urged me TO do
anything but take a subordinate place
in my fathers department. 1 did not
feel strongly drawn toward another vo.
cation and submissively started ON the
uninteresting highway of bureaucracy.
l was a diIigent fellow and well dis
ciplined, for / 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 / was 25, my director, who was
fond of me, gave me a place in his of
fee, and l became the envy of my COM
rades. They already spoke of me as a
prospective superior clerk and predict
ed a bright future. 1t was then that ]
married. My wife was a beautiful girl,
and, what is better, very good and affec-
tionate, but she had no fortune. That
was a grave fault in the eyes of the lit
tie world of clerks in which / lived.
They were very positive. They regard
ed marriage only as a business transac-
ton, and they invariably took for a rule
that IF the husband provides the break
fast, the wife must provide the dinner. .
But my wife and / between ms had
hardly enough to sup meagerly. Every
body said l had done a very silly thing,
and more than one blunt colleague in
my department declared briefly that ]
was a 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.
My chief was rich and delighted in
being conspicuous, priding himself on
making a fine appearance in 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 tc
the prominent people of the town. My
wife was not well. some months after
our marriage, and though I would have
much preferred to remain at home with
her | was obliged to go alone to these
entertainments, for my chief would not
allow any m to decline his invitations
4 -hTG CIT horHTn ofou ~SnxrC% awya $1,000
themselves according to his orders.
One night there was a grand ball at
the directory, and of course, whether ]
would or no., I had to don my evening
clothes and go.
While / put the finishing touches to
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,
and the supper menu--for there is TO
be a supper. 1t seems that they have
ordered a great many delicacies from
Chevet-some rare fruits; / heard OF
peaches that cost 3 francs apiece-oh,
what peaches they must bel Do you
know, If You were good, you would bring
| me one"
] demonstrated. / showed her that the
thing was impracticable, and how diff
cult 1T would be for a man in a dress
suit to put such fruit as u peach in his
pocket without the risk OF being seen
and pointed out. The more / objected
the more bent upon her within did she
become:
ION 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 il for yourself,
and then hide it adroitly. Don't shrug
your shoulders. Perhaps it is only q
bit Of childishness, but l long for one,
ever since i heard of those peaches ]
have had a wild desire to taste them.
Promise to bring me one at least"
How could q man give a downright
refusal to the woman he adored? / end
ed by murmuring q 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,
ard she cried once more, DO you prom.
| ise?"
The ball was very fine; flowers every.
where, elegant toilets and excellent mu-
sic. The project, the president Of the
tribunal, the officers of the garrison,
and all of the department clerks were
there. Our chief had spared nothing
20 give briiliancy to this enter tainment,
OF which his wife and daughter did thu
honors most graciously. At midnight,
supper was served. and the dancers filed
into the dining oom in couples. I fol.
lowed, trembling, and scarcely had / en-.
tered before | saw the famous peaches
sent by Chevet occupying a conspicuous
place in the center OF the table.
They were indeed magnificent. There
was q pyramid Of them in Il china has.
ket, carefully arranged with grape
leaves, which brought out the appetix.
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 afar, and l thought
-