The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-07-07
THE ASSASSIN.

Polydore Chapoteau, grocer. had re
tired from business. He had taken !,
house in the country, where he raised
chickens and lived happily. He was con
sidered among the fortunate few who re,
allied their dreams here below. -
Chapoteau was . good fellow and
was fond Of entertaining his neiRhbors.
Champignol was his best friend. They
had played some famous games Of bill.
lizards together and had become init.
mate, though not without a little rival.
ry in caroms. Champignol lived at the
other end Of the village, and every
Thursday he came to take pot luck with
Chapoteau.
Well, one Thursday when the mel
ons were ripe Champignol arrived, as
usual.
"Mme Chopoteau and the servant
have gone to the city and win not return
till the last train. We are alone and
must prepare our feast ourselves
Champignol put ON the servants
apron. Chapoteau his wife's apron, and
while one prepared the vegetables the
other one roasted the meat
It was q fine feast A melon lust ripe.
cultivated by Chapoteau with paternal
tenderness appeared nc dessert. Cham
pignol adored melons He left only the
rind and the seeds
II have eaten too much, = he said
after the coffee.
He became melancholy. Chapoteau
got up and without saying d word
opened q drawer where his pharmacy
was arranged, and taking one OF the
walls poured from it into Champignol's
mouth q 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 afirmatiyely. Sud-
denly his chin dropped. and he appeared
to be asleep.
Refreshing sleepi'' murmured Cha
poteau, happy MT the effect OF his drug,
and while waiting for Champignol to
awaken he commenced 10 wash the
dishes.
Half an hour later he returned to the
room on his tiptoes. Champign0l had
NOT awakened.
II viii look after my chickens. y said
Chapoteau to himself.
Half an hour passed thus. Champig-
mol still slept ON.
He Is taking a long nap, = thought
Chapoteau. Twill arrange the lettuce. 4
That occupied q full hour. Now
Champignol would surely be awake. But
Champignol still slept.
"Ah, the ideal" growled Chapoteau,
and be commenced to slap his friend on
the back, gently Mt first, then harder
and finally with his fists. Champignol
did not move.
Then . cold shiver ran over Chapo-
teau- Had an accident happened to him2
Gould he have burst q blood vessel?
Melons + t~raitorous.
He opened Champignol's hands and
them, opened his mouth and
breathed into it. Finally, not knowing
what to do, he began to tickle him nm
der his arms and laughed loudly 70 ex-
cite him. In truth, pocr Chapotean had
40 desire at all to laugh.
Champignol remained n iifeless q a
work of art.
Perhaps it would be better Co leaye
nim alone. He win awaken himself. y
Chapoteau walked about his garden,
> prey to d vague agitation. Suddenly
She idea came into his mind that his
friend was playing him q trick.
He knelt before him.
Nov, Champignol, no more foolish
ness. You have deceived me long
snough."
Champignol did not move.
"Champignol, dear old Champignol
my dear Champignol Guonal, my little
Pignolr'
Chapoteau employed all the tones Of
tenderness, surprise and terror. Lit
lie Pignol' was said In q heartbro-
way, with . trembling voice. a
would have been touched, hat
remained insensible.
"Ah. that's it is it2', said Chapo-
lean, and becoming fierce he gave his
friend o blow In the face.
.'Therel Now we shall seel,
Champignol oscillated, swayed and
fell forward with his head upon the
table.
"Ahi You want 10 brighten mel
That won't dol There and theref', He
becoming exasperated. The honest
and gentle Chapoteau had been trans-
Iomed into an inquisitor.
Suddenly his arm fell. II this should
30 reali IL 10 were NOT D joke OF Cham
pignol'si
He seized his hat and rushed out like
The wind. Where should he 70? For
The doctor, parbleui Why had he not
thought Of that sooner? He was only d
lew steps from the doctors house when
, terrible thought stopped him short
lie had given laudanum to Champig-
noll, 20 be sure, but he thought he had
given him only . fair dose. Perhaps he
had made . mistake. Perhaps he had
poisoned Champignol They would
have an autopsy Of the body They
would discover the poison. He would
BE- arrested, judged, condemned and
dragged TO the scafEoldf
TO the scatfoldl
The ideas clashed together in his
hnaA X Un Ra1% - u -<s9T-l -