The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-22
"OH, MAMMAL

Antoine and Alphonse were the sons Of
a wifeless father, to whom in his age and
bereavement they were great 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 Toi-
nette was to be the center and the ciroum-
ference.
OF course the reader will understand
that it was not possible for Toinette to be
the center and circumference of two fu-
lures at one and 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 Toinettte, and she was
the especial favorite of the wealthy old
colonel, the father of Antoine and Al
phonse 1t was because he was so fond Of
her that she could not find it IN her dainty
little heart to be unkind to either of his
sons.
Thus it was that each felt he was the
chosen one, and each one dreamed his
dreams of the future, with Toinette as the
center and circumference
But one day Antoine felt flash OF jeal-
Gus anger when Toinette bestowed pretty
flower on Alphonse, anc sWo days after
ward Alphonse turned away with a dread
full feeling in his soul when he saw Toi-
nette and Antoine coming along the bank
of the river hand in hand.
Within 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 aSunder.
They determined that the only way to
decide whose future she was to be the CEN
ter and circumference of was by the sword,
1nl
to the death, the survivors, future to have
Toinette as its center and circumference.
Notwithstanding the secrecy with which
the brothers enshrouded their determine
ton to shed each others blood for Toi-
nette's sake their shrewd old father be-
came appraised of it and at once consulted
the fair cause of this fratricidal strife.
They had soon decided what to do, and
they separated with a smile which was
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
a retired spot near the village at sunrise,
and at the appointed hour they were pres
emit, and the sight of each other seemed to
make them eager for each others blood.
They had completed all preparations and
had taken their places when ~Toinette, at
tired in a gown of the purest white, burst
upon them.
''Stay your bloody hands!'' she cried,
throwing herself between them.
-Alphonse essayed to lift her to her feet.
Antoine's essay was similar. It was Like
pouring oil on fire. Once moro they swung
their swords, and over the person of the
dainty Toinette they would have settled
their quarrel, only she would not have it
SO.
st beseeeh you,' she pleaded, ''stay
your bloody handsI''
t'We will notl'' they shouted in unison.
She wrung her hands, but they did not
see the ring on one of them, and naturally
they could not hear it.
why do you fight thuss" she asked in
trem bling tones.
For you, " they answered. on, and
you alone, must be the center and cir
cumference of the future of one of us, and
by this means only can it be decided which
one. Stand aside and let the fight go on
to the fnish.''
She held up her soft white hand, that
soft white hand with ring ON it, and it
was as flag of truce to stay the combat.
''And is that why you thus do battle at
the rising of the sdnS" she asked. ''It is
too late. You should have got up two
hours earlier. I cannot be the center and
circumference of the future of either of
you. Two houts ago l married your IA
Their, and he has sent me here to ask you
to join US at the wedding breakfast
Come, hurry up now, my sons before ev-
erything gets SO cold it won't be fit to
eat.
E'Oh, mammal shrieked Antoine and
A1phonse, and Toinette smiled.-Detroit
Free Press.