The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-09-26
HIS AMBITION.

of July, 19-, the floating population OF
Paris was modestly increased by the ar
rival in that city from his native prov
ince of Symphorien Baliveau.
The owner of this curious and not en-
tirely euphonious patronymic was
young man of about % years, neither
handsome nor ugly, fat nor lean-the
tpye, in fact, that one daily elbows on
the boulevards and never looks at twice.
Ineed not add, of course, that such was
not his own opinion. On the contrary,
he was deeply impressed with the con-
seriousness of his own charms and equal
ly determined to profit by them for the
attainment of the object of his ambition
-notoriety.
Everything is in my favor" said he,
"good looks, money and determination
to succeed. All want is short cut to
celebrity. A duel will give me that. :"
The next evening while he was treat
ing himself to a bavaroise at Tortoni's
a short, muscular individual, dressed in
the latest mode, with bristling mus
tache and a self satisfied air, took his
seat at an adjoining table.
The provincial after critical inspec-
ton of the newcomer rose from his chair,
and saluting him courteously requested
him to favor him with the address of
his tailor.
The stranger glanced askance at his
questioner.
"Why?" inquired he CURLY.
because | am struck, monsieur"
said Symphorien, with the good taste
of your costume That green coat with
silver buttons becomes you so admira
bly,
"You think so? Well, your wish can
be easily gratifed, for chance to have
card of my tailor in my pocket. Be-
hold it!''
"Thanks, monsieur May ask if you
have also the address of your shoemaker
in your pocketf''
''The same thing is in my pocket,
monsieur, the little man answered,
with great suavity, and tearing out a
leaf from his notebook he wrote on it
the required address and handed it to
Baliveau.
us there any more you desire to
know, monsieur"
"Only this-your hatter's name, if !
may be so bold?"
That, regret to say, sir, cannot
afford you tonight have it at home,
and tomorrow morning two of my
friends will bring it to you if you will
kindly oblige me with your address.
with pleasure, monsieur, replied
Symphorien. Here is my card
"And here, monsieur, is mine. -
Nothing could be BETTER" thought
Baliveau as, exchanging polite bow
with the stranger and paying for his
bavaroise, he strolled leisurely out and
down the boulevard.
He drew the card from his pocket, ap-
preached lighted window, and on the
little square of pasteboard, in clear,
sharp etching, read, Martial Rogue.
"Roquep' said he, starting back and
raling visibly 1.-The great duelist, who
never misses his man, but either spits
him with thrust impossible to parry
or brings him down with bullet sent
evenly between the eyes, Bon Dieul
What a mistake I've made, all for the
sake of little celebrity. I'll be cele-
brated tomorrow, that is certain. But
what good will it do me if I'm not
there to see it?'
A secluded spot on the Bots de Bou-
logne-less frequented in those days
than now-agreed upon at 4 o'clock in
the afternoon, proposed and accepted.
M. Roque's friends announced that their
principal, having the choice of weapons,
selected pistols, and this formality over
left Symphorien to his meditations,
none of the cheerfulest, as you can see
While ruefully rejecting on whom he
could apply to in his dilemma, he
CHANGED to pull from his pocket the two
addresses given him by Rogue.
And without a seconds delay he dis
patched a message to MN. Staub and
Sakosky, the fashionable tailor and boot
maker of that epoch, requesting their
immediate attendance at the hotel where
he was stopping.
Thirty minutes later they were there,
and as wise measure of conciliation-
Symphorien was no fool, after all-he
gave them an order considerably larger
than they were wont to receive, even
from their most extravagant customers.
Then, the necessary selections and meas
u1ements made, he amazed them still
more by demanding the amount of the
bill, as he desired to settle it beforehand.
With one accord they protested against
the need of so speedy settlement. They
had every confidence in monsieur's solv-
ency and were not in the slightest
hurry!
''That may be, - replied he, "but
am. | have duel this afternoon with
Martha Rogue, and, though am no nov.
ice in such matters and have caught a
swallow on the wing many and many a
time, one cannot be sure with so dan.
gerous an antagonist what may hap
pen
Staub and Sakosky stared at each 9TH
er aghast Such an offhand proceeding
took the breath out of them.
They reflected on the chance-most
unlikely Of course, but still possible-of
his proving himself the better shot of
the two Rogue owed them a regular
pot of money, and if he should chance
to fall by Symphorien's bullet who
would pay their bills?
Staub looked at Sakosky, Sakosky
looked at Staub 1t was enough They
understood each other.
Monsieur, " said the latter, ''in
case like yours the choice of seconds is a