Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-01-17
CHAPTER 1.

Every man In his lifetime runs
against some wall or other, but the
wall which Andre Lacombe, govern
ment engineer In ordinary, ran against
about the middle of May, 1S45, was
no ordinary wall, for, although its
clumps OF moss and fleeks Of lichen tes-
tilted to its old age, there was nothing
t~umble-down about 1t; in fact. it had
every appearance of being a very solid
and substantial piece OF masonry, about
twelve feet high, it's heavy crown of
coping imparting a certain seigneurial
aspect to 1t, as with a magnificent
sweep it disappeared at both ends in
the depths Of the shade and forest
trees Of the outer park. The grand
old wall had brought Lacombe to this
yery abrupt standstill as he and his sur
veyor were engaged in laying out a
route for d branch railway from Beu-
zeville to Fecamp.on the Havre line.
He saw at a glance that it would be
necessary to knock a hole into this
venerable and imposing barrier which
threw its protecting arms in such
O grand circle, but it was quite natural
that he should have been seized with
a sudden desire to know who owned
the property Enclosed by it, and what
kind Of a man he would have to deal
with.
There was 4 chorus of answers, of
course, for everyone wanted the honor
Of speaking for the Marquis de VAL
menier. And there came a rattle Of
questions: "Till you go through his
property? VIII you pass through the
center Of it? Will you follow the wall
to the right or to the left? Will there
be q station at the Yewsy'
"How long has NJ. de yalmenier re-
sided here?' asked Lacombe in a care
less tone.
1.-THE Valmeniers." replied the per-
sonq questioned, shave been settled here
for seven hundred years. The present
Marquis enjoys an income from his
estates OF 2GO, 600 francs. but he doesn't
spend one half of 1t, nor does he make
any investments. He turns it yer to
his daughter Marguerite, who squan-
ders in aims and charities moneys
which might be probably used to
build up the commerce and industries
Of the anton. His son is 26 years old.
He never comes to Fecamp except to
buy powder and shot, and this is the
only branch of trade which draws
any profit from the family. The
daughter is 20 years old, a tall blonde.
said to be very pretty. One Of our rich
landholders was foolish enough to
ask her hand in marriage. She refused,
making answer that she would never
marry a man who would be wiling to
marry her without knowing her. and
who could only be ~coyetous Of her name
and her fortune"
When Andre entered the reception
room of Chateau de Valmenier the fol-
lowing day he had already formed an
opinion Of the Marquis. 1t was that
he was q man with a mania, eccentric,
but honest to the core. He handed his
card to the servant.
ANDRE Lacombe, Engineer in or
binary Of Bridges and Highways"
murmured the Marquis. what does
this gentleman want Of me? What Is
he like?"
HE is a very well appearing young
man, my lord"
San engineer" repeated the Mar
quis. .I'ye been told that such peo-
pie live in a world Of dreams. Some
invention. no doubt-steam plow or
improved windmill Show him in"
Sir" said Lacombe, I'm commits
stoned to trace a route for the pro-
jected railway from Beuzeville to Fee
camp, and / come to ask your authori-
zation to pass through your park"
Impossible. sir" replied the Mar
quis. I'm not much in favor Of rail
ways. 1t is an invention which has al
ways seemed to me more ingenious
than useful, and from a moral and po-
litical standpoint tending to establish
most hurtful relations between city
and country"
Marquis answered Lacombe, calm
~. you misunderstood me. Excuse me
IL I speak more to the point. 1t is not
a favor that I am asking; 1t is a right
which I desire to stand upon"
a right? The right t o make forcible
entry upon my property"
1.-THE law which clothes me with my
mission gives me such right" replied
the engineer, solemnly.
1.-THE law? What law? I don't know
anything about your law"
mo IN is permitted to plead igno-
rance of the law"
Well. l do anyway, sir, and I'm
proud OF it."
IF such be the case" answered La
Spinbe. II shall be compelled to pro-
t,ed without your consent"
Without my consent! That's inn
.ossible. But where is it--this law
OF yours? I should like to see it"
"You will find 1T in the Code" said
Andre, with d faint smile Doubtless
you have d copy in your library"
"Ah.!, almost whispered the Mar
quis, Il understand. You mean that
code Of laws put together in Paris
by some illadvised individual. No.
sir; ! have no copy OF 1t. My son
broahght the book to Valmenier; but
In looking through It l made UP my
mind that II would be dangerous to
permit such 4 volume to remain in
the hands Of u young man, and SO /
Burned up
s.rhd Marquis. 1t will hardly be