The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-06-21

Chapotoau was good fellow and
wa fond of entertaining his ncighbors.
Ehampignol was his best friend. They
bad played some famous games of bill
lizards together and had become init
mate, though not without little rival
- in oaroms Champignol lived at the
pther end of the village. and every
Thursday Ire came to take pot luck with
Chapoteau-
Well, one Thursday when the mel
pdls w'ere ripe Champignol arrived, as
usual
mime Chopotenu and tho servant
have gone to the city and will not return
Fill the last train. We are alone and
must prepare our feast ourselves. -
Chalnpignol put on the servants
apron. Chapoteau his wife's apron, and
while one prepared the vegetables the
other one roasted the meat.
1t was fine feast. A melon just ripe,
cultivated by Chapoteau with paternal
teN1eness, appeared at dessert. Cham
pi.,;:ol adored melons. He left only the
rind and the seeds
IT have eaten too much" he said
after the coffee.
got up and without saying word
opened O drawer where his pharmacy
was arranged, and taking one of the
walls poured from it into Champignol's
mouth teaspoonful of medicine
You do not find ME unprepared.
he said. do you not feel better"
Champignol rubbed his hand over his
stomach and nodded affirmatively Sud
denly his chin dropped, and he appeared
TO Li asleep.
Refreshing sleep!' murnurcd Cha
poteau. happy ut the effect OF his drug,
and while waiting for Chalnpignol to
awaken he commenced to wash tho
dishes
Half an hour later he returned to the
TO u ON his tiptoes. Chnnpignol had
nc, awakened.
! will look after my chickens. - said
Chupoteau to himself.
Half III hoUr passed thus. Champig-
no. still slept on.
He is taking long nap" thought
Clsp"teau Twill arrange the lettuce T"
That occupied IA full hour. Now
ClNmpignol would surely be awake. But
Chanlpignol still slept.
All. the ideal" gowled Chapoteau
and he commenced to slap his friend Oh
the back, gently at first, then harder
and finally with his fists Champignol
did not move.
Then cold shiver ran over Chapo-
team. Had an accident happened to him?
Cold he have burst a blood vessel:
Melons nre traitorous.
He opened Champignol's hands and
slapped them opened his month and
brcathel into it. Finally, not knowing
Wlnt 10 do, he began TO tickle him M
der his arms and laughed loudly to ex-
cite him III truth, poor Chapotcau had
no desire at all 10 laugh
Champignol remained lis Efolcss as y
WORE of art
Perhaps it would be better to leave
him alone, He will awaken himself. +"
Chapotcau walked about hi, garden,
prey to vague agitation. Suddenly
the idea came into his mind that his
friend was playing him trick
He knolt before him
Now, Champignol, 10 more foolish
ness. You have deceived me long
enough"
Champignol did not move.
'Chnmpignol, dear old Champignol.
py dear Chanpignol, Guonal, my little
Pignolr'
Chapoteau employed all the tones, Of
Tenderness, surprise and terror Lit
gle Pgnol" was said i'll hcartbro
ken way, with a trembling voice. a
stone would have been touched, hut
Champignol remained inscnsiblc.
All, that's il, is it:" said Chapo.
teau, and becoming fierce hc gave his
sleeping friend a blow in the face
There Now we shall scer"
Champignol oscillatod, swayed and
fell forward with his head upon the
table
"Ah! You want to brighten me!
+ That won't do! There and thcrc!" He
y %Gs becoming cxasperatcd. The honest
hnd gentle Chapoteau had been trans
: Eomed into an inquisitor
Suddenly his arm fell. If this should
& be real! If it We're not joke Of Cham.
pignol's!
He seized his hat and rushed out like
She wind. Where should he go? For
\ tE0 doctor, parbleu Why had he not
Z thoaght of that sooner? He was only n
few steps from tho DOCTORS house when
terrible thought stopped him short.
He had given laudanum to Champig-
4 holl, 10 be surc, but he thought he had
Z given him only a fair dose Perhaps he
& hal made mistake Pa.haps he had
I poisoned Cnampignol. They wonlt
havo an autopsy OF tie BODY, Thos
would discover the poison He wonlt
be arrested. JudgeG, con1o:nMod ali,