The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-01-11
THE TWO PEACHES.

fairly got started in tho Same career
than resigned my position on account
of two peaches,
l was regular chip of the old block,
and my father thought nothing could
equal government career. So, after
l had graduated, no one urged mo to do
anything but take subordinate place
in my fathers department. 1 did not
feel strongly drawn toward another vo-
cation and submissivcly started on tho
unintcresting highway of bureaucracy.
l was diligcnt fellow and we'll dis
ciplined, for I had been taught from
my cradle to respect superior officials
and to defer to those in authority; so l
was noticed by my chiefs and rapidly
passed the first grades of clerkship.
When / was %, my director, who was
fond of me, gave mo place in his Of
flee, and | became the envy of my COM
rades. They already spoke of me as a
prospective superior clerk and predict
eel bright future. 1t was then that l
married. Myw wife was beautiful .irl,
and, what is better, very good and aifec-
tionate, but she had no fortune. That
was grave fault in tho eyes of the lit
tic world Of clerks in which | lived.
They were very positive. They regard
cd marriage only as Il business transac-
ton, and they invariably took for rule
that IF the husband provides the break
fast, the wife must provide the dinner"
But my vito and 1 between us had
hardly enough to sup meagcrly. Every
body said l had done 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 dcigncd to continue inviting us.
My chief was rich and delighted in
being conspicuous. priding himself OH
making fine appearance in the social
world. He frequently received, gave
elegant dinners, and from time to timo
issued invitations for dancing party
to the families of his employees and to
the prominent people of the town. Ny
wife was not well, some months after
our marriage, and though would have
much preferred to remain Mt homo with
her I was obliged to go alone to these
entertainments, for my chief would not
allow any ono to decline his invitations
his subordinates must even amuse
themselves according to his orders.
One night there was a grand ball at
tho directory, and of course, whether I
would or no, had to don my evening
clothes and go.
While 1 put the finishing touches to
my white cravat, my wife gave me nu-
mcrous suggestions: 1t will DO pcrfcct-
ly lovely. DO not fail to sec everything
so as to tell me afterward. The names
OF the ladies who arc there, the toilets
and the supper menu--for there is to
be supper. 1t seems that they have
ordered Il great many dclicacies from
Chcvct-somo rare fruits; l heard of
peaches that cost 8 francs apiece-oh,
what peaches they must be! Do you
know, you were good, you would bring
me one. y
! demonstrated. | showed her that the
thing was impracticable, and how diff
cult 1t would he for man in a dress
suit to put such fruit as 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:
On the contrary, nothing could be
easier. In tho midst of the crowd COM
ing and going to supper, no one would
SEQ Won Talk, ono If fo,, x-nr,c1lc
and then hide it adroitly. Don't shrug
your shoulders. Perhaps it is only
bit of childishncss, but l long for ono;
ever since heard of those peaches I
have had wild desire to taste them.
Promise to bring me one at least"
How could man give a downright
refusal to the woman he adored2 I end
ed by murmuring vague promise and
then FASTENED away, but just as l
turned the handle Of the door she call
ed me back l saw her big blue eyes.
bright with longing, turned upon me-
ard she cried once more, do you prom
ise?'
The ball very fine; flowers every
where, elegant toilets and excellent 1nu-
sic. The project, the president of the
tribunal, the officers of tho 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 graciously. At midnight
supper wasserved, and the dancers filed
into the dining room in couples. I fol-
lowed, trembling, and scarcely had en-
tered before l saw the famous peaches
sent by Chevet occupying 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
L., l.. Il. l.