The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-02-22
"OH. MAMMAL"

Antoine and Alphonse were the sons OF
. wigeiess father To whom in bis ase and
bereavement they were greaS comfort.
The belle OF the village in which they
lived was the pretty Toinette. and as She
bloomed into womanhood the two broth
ers began dreaming dreams of her and
making plans for future In which TOT
nette was 10 be the center and the circum-
ference.
OF course the reader will understand
that it was not possible for TOinette to to
the center and circumference of two ia
lures at one aud the same time. She could
be those for only one.
But which one! On that hung the
hearts and hopes OF two brothers.
Everybody. loved Toinetltc, and she was
the especial favorite of the wealthy old
colonel, the father of Antoine aud Al
phonse. lt was because he was so fond OF
her that she could not find IL In her dainty
little heart TO be unkind 10 either of his
sons.
Thus ii was that each felt he was the
chosen one, and each one dreamed his
dreams Of the future, with Toipette as the
csnter and circumference.
But one day Antoine felt a flash OF jeal-
Gus anger when ToiDette bestowed pretty
flower on Alphonse, and two days after
ward Alphonse turned away with dread
I full feeling in his soul when he saw Toi-
nette and Antoine coming along the bank
OF tbs river hand IN hand.
Within "A month OF the first doubt and
suspicion the brothers had Of each other
they had declared open war, and the sweet
young heart of the pretty Toinette was
almost torn as0nder.
They determined tina. the only way 10
decide whose future she was to be the cen
ter and circunference OF was by the sword.
and they secretly arranged To fight duo
/ to the death, the survivors, future TO have
I Toinette rs its center and circumference.
I Notwithstanding the secrecy with which
the brothers enshrouded their determine
/ ton To shed each others blood for Tol
/ nette's sake their shrewd old father be
| came appraised of IL and at once consulted
| the fair cause of this fratricidal strife.
They had soon decided what 10 do, and
they separated with a smile which was
I pleasant To look upon when bloodshed was
| So imminent, and the blood, TOO, of those
SO near and dear to them.
The brothers had determined to meet at
q retired spot near the village ut sunrise,
| and at the appointed hour they were pres
I city fthu bbt ctkhb VA S1.h oehNA 0''A@'t ~
| make them eager for each others blood.
| They had completed all preparations and
had taken their places when Toinette, at
| tired in q gown of the purest white. burss
/ upon them.
stay your bloody handsl' she cried,
1 throwing herself between thcm.
Alphonse essaycd 70 lift her 10 her feet.
/ Antoine's essay was similar. It was like
pouring oil on fire. Once more they swung
| their swords, and over the person Of the
! dainty Toinette they would have settled
| their quarrel, only she would not have 10
%.
II beseech you" she pleaded, stay
/ your bloody bandsl'
I'VE will nOt!' they shouted in unison.
She wrung her hands, but they did not
sec the ring on one Of them, and naturally
they could not hear IL.
''Why do you fight thusf' she asked In
trembling tones.
For you, " they answered. You. ara
you alone, must be the center and cir
( cumfercnce Of the future % one Of Us, and
by this means only can IL be decided which
! one. Stand aside and let the 1ght go on
/ 70 the finish"
| She held up her soft white hand, that
! soft white hand with a ring on IL. and 10
/ was as flag Of truce 10 stay the combat.
And Is that why you thus do battle at
| the rising Of the sum-" she asked 1t 10
| too late You should have got UP two
hours earlier. ! cannot De the center and
circumference 0f the future Of either a
you. Two hours ago married your In
/ thor. and he has sent me here ~ ask you
I % Join US a. the wedding breakfast.
/ Come. hurry up now, my sons, before ~
erythinz gets 80 cold IL won't be- ft 10
| eat. -
"Oh, mammal shrieked Antoine and
| Alphonse, and Toiuette smiled DETROIT
Free Press