Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1895-03-23
TIL GUARD.

I1eN were leliiuS stoEieS VI htlAttIN
and adventure after dinner. An old
friend of ours, Nj. Boniface, a mighty
Nimrod and great drinker of wine, a
gay. robust man full of spirit, of wit,
OF philos ply, hooking. resigned phil
osuphy ttat manifested itself in cutting
witticisms but never in sadness, said
suddenly: Il know hunting story, or
rather hunting drama. Strange
enough, it is not at all like the general
run of such stories. l have never re-
lated it, thinking that it would Aot be
amusing 1t is not sympathetic story,
you understand. That is, it has not
that interest that stirs one or charms
or touches one
Here is the story:
When this occurred l was about
thirty-tiye years old and a furious hun
ter. owned at that time very iso-
lated farm in the environs of JumiegeS,
surrounded by forests and well stocked
with hares and rabbits. | passed only
three or four days in the year there,
and always alone, because the arrange
commodation for friend. l had placed
there as a guard an old retired gend-
arme, a brave, rather violent man, a
terror to poachers. strict in his dis
cipline and afraid of nothing. He lived
alone. far from the village. in little
house or rather hoyel consisting of
two rooms below. Il kitchen and eel
lar, and two rooms above. One Of
IL sal hui hnE
Just biz enough for a bed. a cupboard
and chair. was reserved for me.
Father Cavalier occupied the other.
When ! said he lived alone in the
lodge. | did not express myself clearly.
He had taken his nephew to live with
him. He was a worthless fellow Of
some fourteen years. who went err
randS to the village, three kilOmeters
distant, and helped his uncle in his
daily cares.
The scapegrace. tall and crooked,
had yellow hair-so light that ii look
ed like the down on ducks breast
so thin that he looked as though be
were bald He had enormous feet and
giant hands, the hands of colossus.
He Squinted 4 little. and never looked
any one square in the eye. He seem
vi ~ hit " llNlAl lAAG SAINT lAtANN ~ tAAN
human race that poisonous beasts do
in the animal kingdom. The fellow
was a human fox or polecat. He
slept in cuhby-hole lit the head Of
the stairs that led to the chambers.
During my short visits at the ''Pavil-
ion"-I called this hut the Pavilion
Marius gave up his niche 10 an old
woman from Ecorcheville Celeste
50 af Thn 1faEinD tho
efforts Of Pere Cayilier in that line be-
ing insufficient.
Now YOU know the place and charac-
tiers. let us proceed to the adventure.
1t was on Oct. 10, 1854. l remember
the date distinctly, and / shall never
forget it. | went to Rouen on horse
back. followed by my dog. Book.
great Dalmatian hound broad chested,
with massive Jaws. He beat the bushes
for game like spaniel from Pout An
demer. | carried my traveling-bag on
the crupper my gun slung over my
shoulder II was a cold day, with
great, gloomy clouds fitting across the
sky and a strong wind blowing
AS | climbed up Cantelere, | looked
away over the vast valley through
which the Seine wound like a serpent
Lie lONEI~ III INDlFH LOul4ltN AlAF otAg
to the left. and far off on the right
stretched the wood-covered fields. For
ten years at that same time / had pre-
scented myself in the same fashion and
the same words from the same lips
had greeted me:
"Good-day. monsieur Is your health
satisfactory" Cavalier had not chang
ed
IN "a .a,,,r = 5o,-o+,5 ann ~
ways seemed moved when she saw me
and every time / left would say: Il
think this may be the last time, our
dear master"
This desolate. timid farewell Of the
poor old servant, this enforced resigna-
tion and expectation Of her approach.
ing death. always touched my heart.
| got off my horse Cavalier. after
shaking my hand warmly, led the horse
away to the little building that served
as stable, and followed Celeste into
the kitchen, that was also used as
dining room. There the keeper Joined
me.
| saw at once that he did not look as
usual. He seemed preoccnpipd, i'll at
ease, anxious. / said "Well, Cavalier,
does everything go to please y0u?' He
Yes and no. There is something I
do not like"
asked: What is it, my good fell
low" But he shook his head.
Not yet, sir. l don't want TO trouble
you till it Is necessary"
| insisted but he absolutely refused
10 enlighten me before dinner I'M
dcrstood it must be serious affair.
Thinking Of nothing elsa to say, / re-
marked:
rs there plenty Of gamer
oh he replied. 'the game is plenty
You viii find all you wish. Thank
heaven! I can keep my eye on that
He said this with so much gravity,
50 much grief, it was nearly comical
His heavy gray mustache dropped
mournfully over his lips
Suddenly / bethought myelf / had
not yet seen his nephew. Where Is
Marius? Why does he not show him
selfY' The guard jumped, and looked
me suddenly in the face.
well. monsieur. / had rather tell
you that after awhile; yes, / had rateh-
or. 1t is on his account l am worried"
''Ah! Well, where is hep"
''He is in the stable sir. / am wait
ing for him to come"